“I think it's good to do things that you're passionate about and do things that will serve you in your career, of course, but our careers will ebb and flow into different directions. They always take a different path than we anticipate a lot of times, so not getting too hung up on that, I think, is important,” he said. In terms of advice for undergraduate students, he believes that in a smaller company, someone starting their career can learn what they like.
Read MoreAccording to Chu, the private credit sector has traditionally been dominated by large players like Apollo, Blackstone, and KKR, which mainly focus on the upper middle market. "We are focused on a different segment of the market that we think has a lot of potential, which is the lower middle market space," Chu explained. This space, often underserved by traditional banks and financial institutions, is ripe for disruption, and Percent aims to provide the tools to streamline the process for both borrowers and investors.
Read MoreBusiness Today was originally founded in 1968 by Steve Forbes, Michael Mims, and Jonathan Perel as a magazine. The organization started on Princeton’s campus during the Vietnam War. In 1969, Forbes, Mims, and Perel appeared on the Today Show, sparking worldwide attention about the magazine. Business Today was later featured in an article by The Wall Street Journal in 1968 and contained exclusive articles published in the magazine by presidential candidates Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon.
Read MoreLeadership is important to his role as Chief Operating Officer, and Paul explains that his leadership style is all about “rolling up my sleeves and working with my team.” “I see myself as someone who has a lot of great experience, a lot of knowledge. I always hate the idea when someone calls me their boss,” he said.
Read MoreUnder Armstrong’s leadership, FCB has embraced AI to streamline processes and foster innovation. The agency has developed its own GPT-based model, which supports tasks like drafting ideas, analyzing data, and creating synthetic audiences. “AI gets us halfway there, saving time and offering inspiration,” Armstrong explained. However, she emphasized that human creativity remains essential. “The final leap is always about human ingenuity.”
Read MoreFor college students eyeing a career in technology consulting, both were articulate in action steps from translating academic skills into real-world applications, but also surprisingly candid in terms of the work hours, tactical skills, and limited scope when starting as a junior analyst. Sessa advised that "crisply articulat[ing] a story[... is] a fundamental skill that you have to have as a consultant”.
Read MoreMiller’s insights were grounded in a deep belief in the power of relationships. Whether discussing leadership traits or resolving team conflicts, she consistently emphasized the importance of genuinely caring for others and fostering connection. “It’s less about you and more about the people around you,” she said, underscoring how great leaders cultivate environments where others can thrive.
Read MoreConnolly, who has traveled to over 200 countries for work, believes his global exposure has been instrumental in shaping his insights. “When I travel, I go to grocery stores to see how food is labeled, priced, and presented,” he shared. “I’ve seen innovations in one country spark interest in another. My role is to act as a conduit, sharing ideas across borders.”
Read MoreGuideposts embraces inclusivity as a cornerstone of its mission – the organization is non-dogmatic and non-political. “We don’t tell you what to believe,” he said. “Our goal is simply to make you feel inspired and hopeful.” This approach has allowed Guideposts to reach a diverse audience, from devout Christians to those simply seeking positivity and encouragement.
Read MoreOne of the most significant hurdles was learning how to attract and manage capital. Tieng admitted that building relationships with investors and understanding their needs was a steep learning curve. He explained, "How do you build that network? How do you garner trust? How do you filter out those that aren't going to be a great fit for whatever reason?" This trial-by-fire experience shaped Tieng’s approach to fundraising and building a sustainable firm.
Read More"In our industry, I don’t want people who just push numbers. I want a team that’s always looking for the next improvement, that isn’t afraid to challenge the numbers when they don’t make sense,” Piastre explained. Holding the title of the prestigious "Woman in Manufacturing" STEM award and leading the creation of the most modern and complete precious metals laboratory in the United States, she attributes her accomplishments to the people who helped make it possible. “Innovation is something we can only achieve when we have the right people in place,” she said.
Read MoreRyterband presented an extreme example for consideration: Elon Musk’s unprecedented $56 billion bonus package from Tesla. Ryterband asked students to wrestle with the rationale behind this package–whether the staggering sum was excessive (as a Delaware judge ruled) or whether it was justified by the company’s desire to retain Musk, reward his achievement of pre-determined benchmarks, and motivate his performance in the future.
Read MoreParker is keenly aware of the inequities that exist in standardized testing and professional exam preparation. “We need to standardize how we teach and provide information so it’s accessible to anyone, regardless of their background,” he says. This philosophy drives Knopman Marks’ outreach efforts, including partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and other under resourced communities.
Read MoreWebster shared how he transitioned from studying law to mergers and acquisitions, and ultimately to executive search. This journey, he explained, underscores the non-linear nature of many successful careers. “The most successful professionals often navigate unexpected turns with adaptability, always maximizing value from their current roles while staying open to new opportunities,” he said. This adaptability, paired with judicious risk-taking, has been a defining trait of individuals who thrive in competitive fields. Webster emphasized that career plans are crucial, even if they evolve over time, as they provide focus and increase the likelihood of long-term success.
Read More“When you're in the government service, you're generally a risk-averse person,” Wilcox said. “I learn something new [now] every day about the types of businesses that are out there, the finance aspect of it, the laws you have to comply with, [things that] have nothing to do with export controls and sanctions that pertain to actually owning and running a business.”
Read More“The finance world is small,” she said. “It’s crucial to build and maintain strong connections throughout your career, both inside and outside of your company.” Vairavan attributes much of her career success to the mentors she’s had along the way, particularly those who helped guide her through difficult decisions and transitions.
Read MoreCansler pointed out the direct relationship between energy consumption and quality of life. “Energy is not just about comfort; it’s a lifeline. Countries with higher per capita energy use enjoy longer lifespans, better education, and greater economic opportunities,” he explained, illustrating how energy access remains a cornerstone of development.
Read MoreValentine’s work spans continents, with team members spread across time zones in Dublin, India, the Philippines, and the United States. This global distribution offers distinct advantages, including the ability to maximize productivity. Valentine explains, “We can shoot a deliverable off to our team members overseas. They can start working on it in their morning. And so you start to get into more of a 16-hour production schedule versus an eight-hour production schedule.”
Read MoreEntrepreneurship doesn’t always have to start on a grand scale. For instance, he said, you could approach a family member in a business and say “Hey, I'm a social media expert, but I'm going to help you grow your business. And you give me 20% of the increase.” The journey of entrepreneurship will reveal who your true friends are. “You notice who’s a real cheerleader.”
Read MoreOn April 23rd, 2019, Dr. Mike Stern, Head of the Climate Corporation, presented at Princeton University on the digital tools transforming the landscape of farming and the current challenges facing the agriculture industry.
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