“Curious adventurer who turns chance encounters into lasting friendships and fresh ideas.”
Hometown: Orange, CA
Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents—but somehow, I’ve never been to Hawaii.
Undergraduate School and Major: UC Berkeley, Economics
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Adobe, Technical Account Manager
What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? New York City can be whatever you make of it—each day offers the chance to try something new, discover hidden corners, and meet people who quickly become good friends. As a lifelong Californian, I was struck by how welcoming the city is; just two days after moving here, I met someone at a picnic in Central Park, and that same night, they brought me to a mahjong tournament. That openness creates endless opportunities to build community, exchange ideas, and immerse myself in perspectives far different from my own—an environment that will make every lesson at Stern more dynamic, relevant, and real.
Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Stern’s focus on emotional intelligence (EQ) and experiential learning was a major factor in my decision. In an era where AI is rapidly reshaping industries, the ability to connect with people, navigate complex relationships, and draw insight from real-world experiences has never been more valuable. Stern’s hands-on projects, immersive courses, and emphasis on EQ development will strengthen these skills in a way that purely classroom learning can’t. Being in New York amplifies these opportunities, providing daily chances to put them into practice with organizations and leaders across industries.
What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? It’s hard to pick just one! The Stern Adventures Club is high on my list, especially since I’m attempting to switch from snowboarding to skiing… with mixed results. Let’s just say my ski tips keep crossing, and I could use a few more mountain trips (and patient classmates) to survive the bunny slope. Academically, I’m excited for the Leadership Accelerator and “Doing Business in…” (DBi) courses—one to sharpen my decision-making under pressure, the other to apply those skills in global markets.
What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? EQ (emotional intelligence) is the ability to really see people—understanding their perspectives, meeting them where they are, and making it easy for them to bring their full selves to the table. I’ve seen its impact when a client, ready to walk away from a project, left re-engaged after feeling heard and supported. Stern’s focus on EQ resonates because it turns these interpersonal skills into a deliberate, practiced strength—one I’m eager to keep developing.
Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Helping turn around a relationship that had lost its momentum. By taking the time to understand the concerns, finding small (but meaningful) ways to show progress, and staying consistent, I watched the tone shift from frustration to collaboration. Seeing that change reminded me how much trust and follow-through can transform even the toughest situations.
What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? I’m quick to dive in and make the most of any situation—even unfamiliar or uncomfortable ones. Whether it’s joining a last-minute project or saying “yes” to a spontaneous plan, I lean in fully and bring others along for the ride.
© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.