100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors Of 2024

ARTISTS, ADVOCATES, AND ENTREPRENEURS

The influence of this year’s Best & Brightest extend far beyond campus. Florida Southern College’s Happyson Kaunda Jr. plans to build his two startups after graduation, thanks to attracting over $250K in investment. As part of an experience abroad program sponsored by Lipscomb University, Audra Hochgesang supported entrepreneurs in Ghana with financing and scaling their ventures. Last year, the University of Michigan’s Roman Rhone spearheaded the planning of the BlackGen Capital National Conference, which attracted talent from the likes of Morgan Stanley and Evercore to judge a stock pitch competition and conduct workshops. Likewise, Amina Shafeek-Horton has been rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most accomplished women through being part of the Council of Women World Leaders.

“[It is] a network, affiliated with the United Nations Foundation, consists of 90 current and former female prime ministers and presidents whose mission is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders on issues of critical importance to women,” Shafeek-Horton adds. “I am serving as the sole intern and have had the opportunity travel to Reykjavík, Iceland to facilitate and present at Council’s Annual meeting, interview the former president of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, and attend the Reykjavík Global Forum.”

Pratika Katiyar and Samantha Davidson garnered their share of notoriety at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business. Katiyar made HerCampus Media’s 22 Under 22 List, in honor of her activism and writing around student free speech and technology policy. In contrast, Davidson was featured in Northeastern’s literary magazine, Artistry, over her songwriting and music.

“The article represented the culmination of my successes and growth as a disabled student artist. I am also in an activist rock band where we collaborate to write songs that call for inclusivity and accessibility for all. In my solo work, I have over 3.6 million streams to date, a testament to other disabled artists that there is both space and an audience for us all. Through my lyricism and voice, I hope to raise awareness and inspire others who are suffering to advocate for themselves and share their voice. Songwriting is a creative outlet for my perseverance and strength.”

BEATING THE ODDS TO FINISH THE NEW YORK MARATHON

The Class of 2025 also includes its share of unsung heroes. At Syracuse University, Haig Chakamian persuaded administrators to fork over $10K to start his Career Closet, where students can get professional attire for interviews and internships. The program was so successful, he says, that administration doubled his budget this year. Pirmin Christian Brechbühl plays baseball for Wake Forest University, which competed in the College World Series and ultimately ranked 3rd last year. And let’s just say Ruben Garcia has developed a skill that even seasoned professionals still struggle to master: managing their inbox.

“If 90% of a business career is being organized, 80% of that organization is managing, writing, and sorting your email,” cracks the University of Michigan senior. “While initially this seemed like a common-sense task, once I reached 2,000 emails in my inbox sophomore year, I knew something had to change. Not only have I learned to make excessive use of folders and the delete button, but how to diplomatically tell a superior to get back to you after two weeks of silence in twenty words or less.”

In many cases, this year’s Best & Brightest represent stories of perseverance. Take Lauren Grace Perry. A senior at TCU’s Neeley School of Business, Perry grew up with a congenital hip defect, one that restricts most from ever becoming an athlete. Thanks to surgeries, Perry eventually competed in two sports. While an ACL tear set her back as a college freshman, she came back to run the New York Marathon last fall.

“I devoted myself to a rigorous training schedule and learned what it means to be adaptable, confident, and strong,” Perry writes. “After dealing with joint inflammation caused by my Perthes for the last month of my training, I began to doubt my ability to complete the race. However, on race day, a miracle occurred: I had no pain whatsoever. Although incredibly difficult and refining, the race was easily my greatest accomplishment, and a reminder that I can do hard things. I am proud to be a part of the 1%, and the 50,000+ finishers of this year’s race.”

A 360-DEGREE MOMENT

Last year, the Wharton School’s Xavier Shankle sent a letter to the White House on the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision. Soon enough, he was being included in discussions on the topic with the Department of Education and White House officials. At the University of Houston’s Bauer School, Alim Maknojia has already bought her first house. True to form for a finance major, he joined classmates in renovating and flipping it for a profit! Despite majoring in Organizational and Strategic Management, Yoelle Gulko won’t be starting at a prestigious consulting firm this summer. Instead, she’ll continue working on her documentary, Our Subscription to Addition, which explores phone addition and digital well-being. Thanks to her business background, she has launched a production firm to manage its development and release. In addition, Gulko’s efforts will be supported by a grant from the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund, which is supported by luminaries ranging from Melinda Gates to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

“The possibilities we unlocked with that grant completely transformed my documentary,” Gulko notes. “I invested part of the funds in a professional industry production team, including cinematographers, a sound mixer, a producer and an editor that elevated the film quality to a whole new level. It was also an honor to connect with and amplify other youth-led initiatives by capturing their work for my documentary.”

In some cases, the Best & Brightest experienced full circle moments as they neared the final months of business school. After becoming president of TAMID – the consulting and finance club run by students at the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School – David Allen couldn’t help but look back to childhood – and the progress he has made since suffering from a speech impediment. By the same token, Caleb Yarbrough marveled at how much he’d grown when he was asked to speak to prospective students at Georgia Tech’s Scheller College – at the same event he’d attended as a high school student.

“I remembered…feeling like the biggest imposter in the world. I remembered thinking that the rest of the students in that room were way more deserving to be at Georgia Tech than I was, and I thought that the impressive accomplishments of the students leading the panel were outside the realm of possibility for me. Three years later, I was able to sit at the front of the room at the same event with three of the most accomplished students that I know.”

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2024

Outside of class, Miami of Ohio’s Yiyang Fu is “proficient” with six musical instruments, while Ross’s Roman Rhone plays a mean steel drum. Amanda Hubert devoted a dozen years to Irish Dancing – and continues on as a member of the Purdue Irish Dance team. These days, you’ll find Cornell University’s Hali Dietsche performing with The Touchstones, her a cappella group.

Dietsche’s classmate, Amber Lao, visited 15 countries over her study abroad experience – and Georgia Tech’s Kalieann Wetherington has already set foot in 48 out of 50 American states. At Florida Southern College, Allison Pascarella has a twin sister who is also a sorority president. According to Fordham University’s Grace Maietta, she once learned how to take a perfect selfie…from Bill Nye the Science Guy! And how is this for a perfect day…

“I have met the Prime Minister of Australia and swam with sharks in the span of 24 hours,” writes the University of Pittsburgh’s Logan Ryan.

A TRIBUTE TO PARENTS AND FACULTY WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

Successes all – and in many cases they credit their parents for setting the example and laying the groundwork for their achievements. That is certainly true of Zainab Maniya, a University of North Carolina senior whose mother taught her to “embrace risks” and “never accept no.” When Loyola Marymount’s Samuel Sprute was a boy, his mother would drive he and his brother on cross-country trips for academic conferences – events that reinforced a sense of curiosity as much as a love of living. For Keri Gilligan, her mother was the ultimate tone-setter.

“My earliest memories are of my mom celebrating all of my small wins and teaching me that hard work is paramount.” Gilligan writes. “As a single parent, she set an example of what it meant to be a hardworking person, both personally and professionally, while always putting family first. Not only did she serve as my role model, but my mom has continuously shown up for me whether it was cheering in the audience at my dance recitals, patiently watching alongside the court at my tennis matches, or congratulating me as I found out about my acceptance to Bucknell. She has created an environment full of love and support that has allowed me to have the mindset to thrive here at Bucknell.”

Fathers also served as cheerleaders, confidantes, and counselors for the Best & Brightest. Pirmin Christian Brechbühl’s dad served as a military officer. Here, he learned to value everyone and maintain poise – lessons he passed onto his son. Before studying business and finance at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School, Winston Zha drew similar inspiration from his father.

“My dad once told me, ‘People often say motivation does not last. But neither does a shower – that is why we need it daily.’ And my dad continues to serve as my daily source of motivation, pushing me forward and believing in my abilities and character, even in times when I myself did not believe in them. He has taught me more about being a leader, and being a good human than anyone else.”

In some cases, faculty members made all the difference for the Class of 2024. At Villanova University, Dr. Shelly Howton has opened her doors to the befuddled, weary, and homesick pupils who have come to her office for the past 27 years.

“Dr. Howton must have more than 24 hours in a day, because she somehow finds the time to share her wisdom, guidance, and everything in between with so many students,” writes Elizabeth Vaughn. “I can’t help but feel badly every time I stop by and interrupt her, but she makes it seem as if I could stay all day…Dr. Howton has encouraged me to stay strong when times were tough and given me the victorious fist bump over life’s smallest victories. She is someone that I look up to daily and wouldn’t be where I am today without her…[There] is a reason so many alumni keep in touch with [her], and I’m sure it’s because [she] did just as much for them as you did for us: just about everything.”

BUCKET LISTS

What’s next for this year’s Best & Brightest as graduation approaches? In terms of bucket lists, Boston University’s Kelly Shao – who’ll be joining the Boston Consulting Group – hopes to snag an international rotation (or two, she adds). Winston Zha pictures himself as an angel investor someday, while Grace Maietta would love to someday work behind the scenes at an Olympics Games. When Pratika Katiyar isn’t formulating public policy, she’ll probably be authoring a book. And let’s just say that Samuel Sprute plans to hone a business skill that isn’t necessarily covered in the curriculum.

“Learn how to play golf well,” Sprute jokes. “Have you ever met a successful businessperson that sucks at golf? Correlation isn’t causation, but I am going to take advantage of as many correlatives as possible.”

In the coming years, Amber Lao expects to live the dream of many business majors: “Get an MBA and start my own business.” That’s not the only dream common to the class. While Lehigh University’s Keila Seeley intends to boost financial literacy and serve as a role model, she also has something more personal in mind…

“I also want to own an ice cream store at one point in my life.”

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

When it comes to business students following in their footsteps, the Class of 2024 offer several pieces of advice. Melissa Atanasio, a University of Pittsburgh grad, suffered from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) starting out. In her pursuit of being everything to everyone, she held down seven jobs and internships at the same time. It was only after she embraced “self-compassion” (and rest) that Atanasio came into her own.

“If I had the chance to do things differently, I would encourage my past self to take a step back occasionally, to appreciate the journey, and to understand that making mistakes is a natural and invaluable part of learning. I would hope to understand sooner that true success in business school, and in life, is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.”

Maria Falk, a Purdue University accounting major headed to graduate school next fall, lives by a quote: “Growth and comfort cannot coexist.” Her advice: Don’t be afraid to stretch yourself and embrace the unfamiliar.

“It is easy to find a comfortable corner in such a chaotic place where you hear the same things and see the same people,” she adds. “However, there is incredible value in taking a little risk and trying out something you never imagined yourself liking. Go to that event where you don’t know anyone, try out that Python coding certificate class, and talk to the recruiter standing at the table outside your classroom. It’s when you’re curious that you find new hobbies, interests, or meet someone new who could change your life.”

Most of all, Andy Jin writes, judge yourself against your own criteria – not what your peers are achieving.

“Comparison is a double-edged sword. At times, it can serve as a source of motivation, driving us to achieve our fullest potential. However, it can also cause us to feel inadequate and behind. In business, we will naturally look to our peers for inspiration and metrics of success, but viewing success as a finite resource can lead to harmful competition. Rather than peg yourself to external measures of validation such as prestigious internships and job offers, reflect on your individual growth. Define your own success by your personal fulfillment and celebrate each other’s wins.”

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Welcome to the real world. Do better than we have.

Go to Pages 3-4 for 100 in-depth profiles of the 2024 Best & Brightest Business Majors