Hiro Matsumoto

Indiana University, Kelley School of Business

“I’m a rabbit-hole explorer, uncovering meaning, connection, and wonder in life’s most overlooked moments!”

Fun fact about yourself: I attended different schools in both Japan and the U.S. every year from preschool through high school!

Hometown: Greenwood Village, Colorado

High School: Cherry Creek High School

Major: Finance, International Business

Favorite Business Course: BUS-K 201 – The Computer in Business

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Awards and Honors:

Up-and-Coming Student Leader of the Year
Kelley Honors Program
Hudson and Holland Scholars Program
Dean’s Scholarship
1st Place – ALDI K201 Case Competition

Involvements and Activities:

Club 52 – President/Founder
Investment Banking Workshop – Member
Study Abroad in Germany and Romania
Kelley Honor Program – Member
“’JUST GO PLAY’: The Importance of Play for Life” – Teacher’s Assistant
The Computer in Business – Peer Tutor
Jellison Living Learning Center – Marketing Team

Where have you interned during your college career?

Junior Summer: KPMG LLP, Internal Market Strategy Intern in Federal Financial Transformation (Denver, Colorado)
Sophomore Summer: KPMG LLP, Embark Finance Scholar Intern (Denver, Colorado)
Freshman Summer: KPMG LLP, RISE Scholar (Orlando, Florida); Kelley HOPE, Team Project Lead (Bloomington, Indiana)

Where will you be working after graduation? KPMG LLP, Federal Financial Transformation Associate (Washington, D.C.)

Who is your favorite business professor? There are countless professors in and outside of the business school who I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude. Among these professors, Professor Steven Sibley stands out. His name is well-known throughout the business school, particularly among finance students, and for a good reason. His non-traditional path to academia brings a unique perspective to teaching that isn’t in most classrooms.

I took Professor Sibley’s “Introduction to Corporate Finance” course during my sophomore year – preparing for banking interviews in the following semester. One of his quotes I distinctly remember from this class was, “If you don’t leave my class confused, I didn’t do my job” – his point being that confusion leads to curiosity, which leads to real learning.

While Professor Sibley never sugarcoats anything – whether about the banking industry or life in general – his honesty and straightforward advice tailored to each individual he talks to are exactly what makes him such a valuable mentor. My time at Indiana University would not be as meaningful if not for Professor Sibley’s guidance and impactful presence.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Business is built on relationships, and the most valuable ones are those formed when you’re true to yourself. It might feel intimidating if you don’t immediately fit into the typical social circles, but don’t let that discourage you. As you grown, you’ll learn to navigate different social dynamics, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise who you are. The right people will recognize your authenticity, and those are the connections that will matter most in the long run.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back at my college experience, I don’t have many regrets. If I had to start over, there is nothing I would strongly change, but one thing I would consider doing differently is embracing failure more openly. There were opportunities like case competitions, where I held back out of fear of making mistakes and damaging my image. Now, I realize how limiting that was. Failures, especially in college, are part of the learning process, and they don’t carry the weight I once thought they did. The lessons learned from taking risks far outweigh the fear of failure.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? I first integrated AI into my daily routine in the winter of 2022, using it for image generation and to satisfy my curiosity for connecting complex topics. It has since become an invaluable tool, especially in my Tax Analysis class, where the professor encourages its use for quizzes and exams. However, I’ve learned that without proper prompt engineering, AI often provides inaccurate or incomplete solutions. Understanding its limitations has helped me use it more effectively and with caution.

As someone interested in intellectual property law, I also find AI particularly fascinating because it raises questions about what defines original work. With advancements in image and text generation, and beyond, AI is reshaping our understanding of creativity and ownership. This ongoing debate keeps me intrigued, especially as one of humankind’s most readily available revolutionary tools.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? One of my proudest achievements during my college experience has been publicly speaking about mental health, particularly suicide among men. It’s a deeply personal topic that rarely finds its way into everyday conversations, but I have had the privilege of addressing it on several stages at Indiana University.

These opportunities have ranged from intimate discussions to larger events, including the Drew Miller Mental Health Summit, where I spoke before managing directors, bankers, and industry leaders. In total, I have shared this message with over 500 attendees, but the simple numbers aren’t what make the achievement meaningful to me.

What truly matters is the impact and further discussions these conversations create. When I’m on stage, I feel I’m giving voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves and hopefully making it easier for others to seek help when they need it. These moments also serve as powerful reminders for me to stay grounded and maintain perspective. They push me to look beyond professional ambitions and remember what truly matters.

Which classmate do you most admire? Walking through the halls of Kelley as a senior, I’m constantly amazed by the diverse paths my peers are taking and the incredibly bright futures ahead of each of them. Of these peers, Jesse Morris immediately comes to mind as the classmate I admire the most.

I met Jesse during freshman year when we lived a few doors apart in the dorm. Since then, I’ve watched him face challenges that would overwhelm anyone but him. While maintaining a full business course load, he pushes himself to take advanced math and music classes, consistently carries 20+ credits each semester, and manages multiple jobs. Even now, in our final semester, he hasn’t slowed down one bit.

But what truly sets Jesse apart isn’t just his impressive workload – it’s his character. Despite his packed schedule, he remains one of the most dependable people I know. His humility is remarkable; you’d never know about his achievements unless you asked. His genuine curiosity about everything he pursues, and his selfless nature makes him someone I both admire and hope to never compete against.

Anyone who gets to work with Jesse is incredibly lucky. His combination of work ethic, humility, and reliability is rare, and I’m grateful to have had him as both a peer and friend throughout college.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? While I am deeply grateful to my parents and family, Professor Georgia Frey, “Doc”, has been the most instrumental for my achievements in college. I first met Doc two weeks before freshman year in her class about the state of playing, where she taught us something I’ll never forget – play isn’t just about “fun and games,” it’s fundamental to who we are as humans.

Doc’s impact on my life was immediate. Within days of starting freshman year, she helped me establish Club 52, which became the cornerstone of my college experience. But what truly makes Doc remarkable isn’t just her support of students like me, it’s her tireless dedication to her community, including her work with disability research. She brings the same joy and wisdom she teaches about into everything she does.

Whether she’s writing yet another recommendation letter or sharing life wisdom over omelets, Doc exemplifies what it means to be both a mentor and a force for good. Her influence extends far beyond the classroom, and I couldn’t be more grateful for her presence in my life!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1, Growing up with both parents as teachers, I have seen firsthand how educators can positively shape lives. Later in my career, I want to step back into the classroom and give back by sharing real world experiences with students – making the material come alive the same way my favorite educators have!

2. Coming from a bi-cultural background between Japan and the U.S. – and having studied in Germany and Romania – I have developed a passion for international business and different cultures. The second item on my bucket list is to utilize my upbringing, strengths, and interests to build a career that bridges markets and communities across borders through meaningful and impactful work!

What made Hiro such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Hiro has been an incredible addition to the Class of 2025, diving into campus life right from the start. In his first semester, he founded a successful student organization, showcasing his leadership and dedication. As a resident of the Jellison Living Learning Center and a member of the Investment Banking Workshop, Hiro has been deeply involved in both academic and professional circles. His numerous awards speak volumes about his hard work and determination, making him a standout in his class. What really makes Hiro special is his love for learning beyond business. His playful nature is unmistakable—he’s a movie buff, a card player, and I even remember once spotting him scaling a climbing wall in full business professional attire. Above all, he cares about maintaining relationships. Hiro has been a mentor to many younger students, and he always made an effort to stay connected with me, even years after taking my course. Hiro’s ability to balance his passion for investment banking with his diverse interests makes him truly well-rounded. His achievements so far are just the beginning of what promises to be an amazing career.”

Ben Taylor
Senior Director, Kelley Undergraduate Program

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