“As I reflect on my experiences post-WA, I can see clearly how Woodward pushed me to think beyond just individual achievement, to explore the concept of a 'well-rounded individual,' and how that individual might then help grow a broader community.”

Tell us about yourself and your history at Woodward.

I began my WA journey at Woodward North in third grade and now reside in downtown Manhattan, flying out of town weekly for work. While at Woodward, I took part in a variety of activities, including the varsity volleyball team, SGA, Silent Voices, Peer Leadership, and Senior Philosophy Seminar, among others. I recently attended my five-year reunion and I’m now looking forward to returning for my brother Andy's WA graduation in May of 2017.

Where did you attend college and what was your major?

I attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where I studied finance. As an upperclassman, I served as a research assistant and teaching assistant for Honors Intro Finance as well as a teaching assistant for a Leadership and Teamwork course taken by all Wharton undergraduates.

Where has your career taken you so far?

My interest in retail (and specifically, luxury) has shaped my career since I left Woodward. Since graduation from Wharton, I’ve been working as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and have done retail strategy work in the women's apparel, grocery, and convenience industries. Prior to BCG, I held both finance and retail internships, most recently in investment banking at J.P. Morgan Chase. During the fall of my junior year at Wharton, I pursued my interest in luxury retail at Burberry USA, commuting from Philadelphia to New York City three days a week to work as a strategy/financial analyst. I also have worked in private equity and in buying/planning.

Looking back, do you feel that Woodward prepared you well for college and life? In what ways?

Woodward always has placed a special significance on participation and leadership in cocurricular activities, as well as in giving back via peer mentorship. As I reflect on my experiences post-WA, I can see clearly how Woodward pushed me to think beyond just individual achievement, to explore the concept of a "well-rounded individual," and how that individual might then help grow a broader community. In this sense, I also see how easily my leadership roles at WA have translated to similar roles at both BCG and Wharton. For example, beyond casework at BCG, I serve as the affiliation chair for our associate class, as well as our office's co-lead for UPenn undergrad recruiting. Similarly, beyond academics at Wharton, I greatly enjoyed serving in leadership roles across various campus organizations, including Wharton Council (Wharton's version of SGA), my sorority, Wharton Retail Club, and the Wharton Senior Peer Advising organization (Wharton's version of Peer Leadership).

Are there any special memories/teachers/friendships from your Woodward experience that you would like to share?

I would love to mention Alex Carmen '11 and Shraya Sharma '11, lifelong friends who have been there through life's ups and downs, both throughout my time at Woodward and beyond. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to Roshani Chokshi '09 for being the first mentor I ever had. I’m grateful to her for handing over the reins of Silent Voices to me and for believing in me and inspiring me in so many ways

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to remain with my BCG office (and in Manhattan) for at least three or more years. During this time, I hope to either work on secondment with a retail client, or explore the option of business school sponsorship, should the right opportunities arise. Travel is important to me as well—next up are Italy and Greece (hopefully with my brother, Andy!)