2021 Best & Brightest Business Major: Olivia Dubi, University of Miami (Herbert)

Olivia Dubi

University of Miami, Herbert Business School

An ambitious optimist who believes anything can be achieved with a positive mindset.”

Fun fact about yourself: I was lucky to spend two weeks volunteering in Sop Chem, Laos teaching English to the community and working on a permaculture plot – all without technology and air conditioning!

Hometown: Dix Hills, NY

High School: Commack High School

Major: Finance and Legal Studies

Minor: Spanish

Favorite Business Course: Mergers and Acquisitions

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

School Awards and Honors:

  • Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarship for exceptional academic achievement
  • Foote Fellow Honors Program
  • Miami Herbert Business School Freshman of the Year Award (2017-2018)
  • Golden Key Honor Society
  • Iron Arrow Honor Society (“The highest honor at the University of Miami”) – Lawmaker position (2020-2021)

Extracurricular Activities & Leadership Positions

  • Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity President (2018-2019) and Vice President of Faculty and Alumni Relations (2018)
  • Team Leader and Executive Team Leader for MBHS Management 100 program (Lead discussions of Freshmen in course on Cultural Competency in the Global Workplace)
  • Hyperion Council Student Consulting Organization – Project Lead, Head of Alumni Relations, Social Chair, Onboarding Chair
  • Hult Prize Business Plan Competition Campus Winner/Regional Finalist/Campus Director
  • Sigma Delta Tau Sorority – Standards Board
  • Dean’s Undergraduate Advisory Board for Miami Herbert Business School
  • Hillel Freshman Leadership Council, Birthright Recruitment Intern, and Jewish Learning Fellowship

Community Service & Travel

  • Alternative Spring Break (Community Service Trip) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2018)
  • Two-week community service trip in Laos with Give Volunteers (2019)
  • Study Abroad in Seville, Spain
  • Note Taker for Office of Disability Services

Where have you interned during your college career?

Morgan Stanley, New York City

  • Wealth Management Sophomore Summer Analyst (2019)
    • Knowledge Management (Analytics and Data)
    • Client Development Group (Private Wealth Management)
  • Wealth Management Summer Analyst (2020)
    • Integration, Chief Risk, & COO (Corporate and Institutional Solutions)

Where will you be working after graduation? Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Rotational Analyst, New York City

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice to everybody coming into college is to get involved on campus. I have learned so much in my classes, but I have been able to put that into practice by taking on leadership positions in my student organizations and getting involved in business focused clubs, such as the Hyperion Council, a student run consulting organization that works with local and international entrepreneurs, non-profits, and high schools. These experiences have left the greatest impact on me and helped me find the things that I am passionate about (not to mention the incredible networking opportunities that come with branching out on your campus and community).

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I entered college focused and open-minded, yet my view of the business world was narrow. I had no idea the immense opportunities that this environment fosters. I was under the impression that business was linear and that whatever I decided to study had a predictable career path. While in business school, my field of vision has expanded exponentially. Majoring in business and experiencing the core curriculum at the University of Miami has given me a broad foundation. My internship experience and extracurricular activities opened my eyes to the limitless possibilities. I’ve discovered that I can find my own path in business that aligns with my skillsets and passions.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? There’s not a whole lot I would change about my college career – I have genuinely loved every second of it. If I could have done one thing differently, it would have been following my sincere interests earlier on. I came into college in an amazing global business program that I soon realized was a bit too niche for my long-term career goals. However, I equated switching my major with quitting – and I am not a quitter. In retrospect, it would have been more efficient had I tuned out the noise and followed my intuition sooner when making the decision to switch majors.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Joining Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity the first semester of my freshman year was instrumental to my success at this University – I was instantly surrounded by a group of diverse and motivated students who became my closest friends. Thanks to the immense amount of support I received from the group, as well as the intangible business skills the pledge process taught me, I felt confident enough to run for president as a sophomore. Being elected president of AKPsi and managing a student organization of over 150 members with many moving parts is the achievement that I am the most proud of. I was able to develop my skills as a leader and put my own spin on an organization that I am so passionate about.

Which classmate do you most admire? Cory Levy. After having such an incredible experience at the University of Miami my freshman year, I became the school’s biggest fan. I was happy to give my phone number out to prospective students and answer questions about student life and the business school. One of the students I connected with has become one of the people I consider both a mentee and a mentor. Cory is confident, ambitious, and has a work ethic like no other. She is passionate and determined to succeed. Cory has become a study partner, friend, “little,” and confidant –, and I admire her tenacity and fearlessness when facing challenges head on.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Both of my parents have been instrumental in my success by instilling the belief that “I can, and I will” do anything that I set my mind to. I am so thankful to both of them for being my biggest fans and encouraging my wildest of dreams. My dad, in particular, has been extremely influential in my interest in business as I have watched him as an entrepreneur and attorney growing up. Being able to discuss what I’ve learned in my classes with him has been so special, and I am thankful to have had him as a resource and mentor.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My professional dreams are to be on Forbes 30 Under 30 and the CEO of a company one day.

What are your hobbies? I love exercising at Orange Theory, going to the beach to read, and watching TV shows – I try to watch at least 1 episode of a TV show every day. I also love trying new restaurants with my friends.

What made Olivia such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021? (

“Olivia is that rare combination of understated, open and positive and highly analytical, driven, and the ultimate go-to, get it done person. She’s generous with her time, makes everyone feel included and valued, and seems to be having a good time while she’s methodically moving mountains. She’s as smart as any student I’ve taught, yet she doesn’t feel the need to wear her academic talents on her sleeve. But make no mistake, as low key and approachable as Olivia is, she’s a powerhouse!”

Mark S. Shapiro
Associate Professor Professional Practice in Business Law and
Academic Director of Career Resources

DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2021