Tanisha Gupta

Elon University – Martha and Spencer Love School of Business

“Extroverted clean-freak and caffeine enthusiast who follows far too many meme accounts.”

Fun fact about yourself: I had a conversation with Tina Fey in the restroom at a Yankees game.

Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

High School: East Chapel Hill High School

Major: Finance

Minor: Accounting

Favorite Business Course: Investments with Dr. Margarita Kaprielyan

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurricular Activities and Involvement

• Financial Management Association – President
• McGill Management International Case Competition – Team Leader
• CFA Institute Research Challenge – Team Member
• College Fed Challenge – Team Member
• The Village Project – Volunteer Teacher
• Residence Life – Business Living Learning Community Ambassador
• Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity – Member

Honors and Awards

• Business Fellows Program
• Presidential Scholarship Award
• CFA Institute Student Scholarship Award
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
• Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society
• LSB Honor Roll of Social Responsibility

Where have you interned during your college career?

• Credit Suisse (New York, New York) – Investment Banking Summer Analyst in the Healthcare Group
• Wells Fargo (Charlotte, North Carolina) – Corporate Risk Summer Intern
• Everstone Capital Advisors (Mumbai, India) – Private Equity Summer Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Credit Suisse (New York, New York) – Investment Banking Analyst in the Healthcare Group

What company do you admire the most? If you are a student at Elon University, you have most likely sipped a few lattes while working on homework or caught up with friends over a bottle of wine at the Oak House. The owner of this unique establishment, Phil Smith, has created a warm, inviting atmosphere that integrates two polarizing aspects of college life: coffee and adult beverages. Over my four years at Elon, I have spent hours on end at the Oak House reading books, completing assignments, and playing board games with friends. In particular, I appreciate the Oak House for being a catch-all space where formal student-teacher barriers do not exist. It allows students to learn from professors in a personal setting, foster relationships, and encourage mentorship outside of the classroom. I thoroughly admire Phil’s entrepreneurial ability to bring such a special space to campus.

Who is your favorite professor? I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a number of influential professors during my time at Elon University. However, it is safe to say that there is no professor quite like Dr. Tina Das. Simply put, “Das” is an icon. She can be found strolling around the business school atrium at all hours of the week, doing anything from leading the Business Fellows Program to cracking jokes with students to doubling as a life coach. While I have not had the privilege of taking a class with Das, her unique ability to create unforgettable bonds with students makes her one of the most talented professors in my book.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? If you were to ask my roommates where I am at a point in time, they would likely respond with “Did you check the business school?” The Love School of Business is my second home and an important part of my undergraduate career. This feeling of home stems from the close-knit relationships I have fostered with other business students, faculty, and staff members. The friendly atmosphere has allowed me to meet brilliant educators, talented mentors, and my closest friends.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I initially pursued business thinking it was black and white. I was surprised to discover that it is everything but that; it is more colorful than I could have imagined. One of the many reasons I chose to major in finance was because I didn’t picture it being a creative major, but I quickly realized that creativity is at the very core of business from navigating relationships to strategizing solutions for complex problems. I learned that there is not one solution to any problem; while there may be one answer for every formula, there are many formulas for every answer.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice to business majors would be to pick up a hobby or minor in a subject that you are passionate about, especially if it is unrelated to your major. When I first declared my business major, I thought I had to immerse myself in all things business-related in order to be successful. I joined a plethora of clubs and case competitions, each of which undoubtedly helped me grow academically and professionally. However, I wish I had invested more in myself than just my resume. Signing up for guitar and self-defense classes my junior and senior year have been some of the most fulfilling decisions of my undergraduate career.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…Medicine. In high school, healthcare fascinated me after I took a hands-on biomedicine course that exposed students to the field by applying surgical techniques to cadaver body parts. Intrigued by the innovative medicines and technologies impacting our modern society, I interned in the Colorectal Surgery department at Duke University Hospitals to better understand the medical field. While incredibly rewarding, I realized that practicing medicine itself was not the most suitable career for me. Instead, I decided to pursue my passion for business, in the hopes of finding myself involved in the healthcare field at a later point. Fortunately, I am able to integrate both of my passions through my post-graduate position working in the Healthcare Investment Banking Group at Credit Suisse.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My father. Back in middle school, buying candy bars from the cafeteria vending machine came with a catch. In exchange for my first allowance, my father taught me the value of money (and Excel shortcuts) by making me track my expenses in an Excel spreadsheet. This instilled my father’s business mindset in me at a young age. By high school, I was reading the WSJ newspaper daily and discussing the concepts with him at dinnertime. Fast forward to college, my father encouraged me to sign up for co-curricular activities such as case competitions, undergraduate research, and study abroad experiences. In all aspects of my life, my father continues to be my best mentor and my greatest supporter.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Being a part of the Business Fellows Program at Elon University has had a significant impact on my undergraduate experience. Taking multiple honors business classes, partaking in networking events, and traveling to South America and Europe with a close-knit cohort of 25 students has allowed me to form meaningful social and professional relationships. The program has challenged me in all my endeavors and has given me my colleagues, roommates and above all – my very best friends.

Which classmate do you admire? Michaela Fogarty. In college, it is easy to get clouded by a group-think mentality, but Michaela has always been unapologetically herself. She has always been largely motivated by her values and seeks to make a meaningful impact in society, wholeheartedly advocating for organizations she’s passionate about. Her genuine compassion and selflessness are a breath of fresh air, and I have no doubt that she will accomplish all that she hopes to.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mother. When we lived in India, my mother chose to be a homemaker to care for my younger brother and me. Once we moved to the United States 12 years ago, she courageously launched her career later than most and has worked tirelessly toward accomplishing her professional goals, serving as a constant reminder to capitalize on the opportunities presented to me now. She not only inspires me to work toward my ambitions but also encourages me to live in the moment. She has kept me grounded over the years, and I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without her unwavering support.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

• Work in Paris, France, and become fluent in French.
• Attend the final round of a Wimbledon tennis championship.

What are your hobbies? Guitar, tennis, adventures, coffee shops, and mom walks.

What made Tanisha such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

“Tanisha Gupta has been a stalwart member of the Elon Class of 2019 since her arrival on Elon’s campus. Tanisha has been vital to Elon University inside and outside of the classroom in many capacities. For example, she is a member of the prestigious Business Fellows program and also a volunteer for Elon’s Village Project, which helps children in the community learn to read. She has held important leadership roles such as president of the Financial Management Association and has been inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma.

Tanisha has represented Elon in both the College Fed Challenge and the CFA Institute Research Challenge where she demonstrated the ability to critically think about complex problems, the agility to think on her feet, and a true understanding of economic and financial concepts that often elude undergraduate students. She also attended prestigious conferences and summits focused around diversity and leadership within the financial field: the Wells Fargo Leaders Conference and the McKinsey Undergraduate Women’s Summit. As a leader of the Elon student-led investment fund, she has used her tremendous technical abilities to steer the investment decisions of the group. Her quantitative skills coupled with her ability to articulate results is a powerful combination. Credit Suisse is gaining a tremendous asset in Tanisha; her poise, intellect, and enthusiasm are immeasurable.”

Dr. Kate Upton
Assistant Professor of Finance