Isabel Li

Rutgers Business School – New Brunswick

“Sociology and business thinker exploring culture, marketing, and impact – reading, crafting, and caring for plants along the way.”

Fun fact about yourself: I crochet sweaters, cardigans, and scarves for fun!

Hometown: Metuchen, New Jersey

High School: Metuchen High School

Major: Marketing; Business Analytics & Information Technology

Minor: Sociology

Favorite Business Course: International Marketing

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurriculars, Leadership, Honors, & Community Work

Rutgers Enactus, Director of Marketing (2022-23), Vice President (2023-24), President (2024-25)
Rutgers Road to Consulting, Cohort 2
Rutgers Road to Consulting, Director of Mentorship (2023-24), Peer Mentor (2023-25)
Equity in Education Collaborative, Researcher
Dean’s List, All Semesters
Rutgers Presidential Scholar
Rutgers Honors College
Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honors Society

Where have you interned during your college career?

PBL Assay Science, Marketing Intern (Piscataway, NJ)
Vesta, Marketing Intern (New York, NY)
Crowe LLP, Marketing for Financial Services Consulting Intern (New York, NY)
MoneyUp, Head of Strategy (New Brunswick, NJ)
AlphaSights, Customer Success Summer Associate (New York, NY)

Where will you be working after graduation? Becton Dickinson, Edge Associate (Franklin Lakes, New Jersey)

Who is your favorite business professor? I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from Professor Jonathan Eckstein during my undergraduate experience. Taking his class Business Decision Analytics Under Uncertainty introduced me to decision modeling, dynamic programming, and more – tools that allowed me to see how the technical skills I was learning in the classroom applied to real life. Professor Eckstein has a deep commitment to challenging students in the classroom with complex concepts and software applications. He pushed us to learn and apply these concepts, rather than just memorizing them. Professors like Professor Eckstein encourage us to think beyond the grade we’ll receive and truly understand what we’re capable of.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Expose yourself to different kinds of people – different majors, backgrounds, and interests. Undergraduate years are a time to shape your understanding of the world and who you want to be; it’s imperative to engage with perspectives beyond your own to become a more thoughtful and intentional student. After all, the business world doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It thrives on collaboration across industries and perspectives.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If I could do it all again, I would have joined more non-business clubs and explored interests outside my major. While I’m grateful for the professional growth I gained through business organizations, I sometimes felt like I missed out on the excitement of trying something completely new. College isn’t just about career preparation. It’s also a time to do silly things, meet new people, and step outside your comfort zone. Whether it was learning a new skill, joining a creative club, or immersing myself in a different field, I wish I had pushed myself to embrace unfamiliar experiences just for the joy of discovery.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? In my marketing classes, we used AI to design advertisements, allowing us to see both its capabilities and limitations firsthand. Beyond that, I’ve learned to use AI as a tool for problem-solving, whether to explain course concepts or assist with homework. I appreciate that my professors removed the stigma around AI, instead encouraging us to leverage it thoughtfully, and to understand what it can enhance and what it can’t replace.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my time as president of Rutgers Enactus and the strides our team has made in advancing social entrepreneurship on campus. Enactus is built on the collective efforts of students tackling real-world challenges, and I feel incredibly lucky to have gotten to lead and work alongside these amazing students. This year, I’ve focused on fostering a culture of community and long-term sustainability. One of our projects, Agoraponic Farms, just launched its third hydroponic system in our Basic Needs Center to provide fresh produce to students facing food insecurity. Seeing our initiatives gain momentum has been incredibly rewarding. I’m proud not just of the impact we’ve made, but of the environment we’ve created, one that empowers students to take ownership of meaningful change.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admire is Ella Walmsley, the former president of Rutgers Enactus. She led with warmth, empathy, and an energy that made everyone feel valued. She taught me to lead with compassion, balance work with fun, and bring people together. No challenge – whether red tape for our club or a packed schedule – ever fazed her. More than just a peer, Ella became a friend I could always count on for support, advice, or just a laugh. Her resilience and kindness continue to inspire me, and I feel so lucky to have met her.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my parents for how they supported me, pushed me, and reinforced my sense of my own ability. My dad, who shares my love for data analytics, was always excited to discuss my latest projects or newest excel spreadsheets. He taught me to be thoughtful about finding the best solution and modeled a kindness for others and an interest in engaging with the community. My mom, who knows me best, is always ready to celebrate my wins and help me learn from my setbacks. She taught me to stay resolute in my own strengths and interests. Their encouragement and values have shaped who I am today.

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

Work on the West Coast or in a new country!
Eventually become a mentor to high school or college students looking for a career in business.

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

“Isabel Li will be a great asset to any organization and any team. She has been a driven and effective leader for her entire career at Rutgers Business School. As a sophomore, she took on a leadership role (Director of Marketing) in our school’s Enactus chapter and was elected vice president as a junior, leading the club to its first national championship. She now serves as president of the chapter and continues to lead with drive and empathy. She also piloted a mentorship program for our coveted and competitive Road to Consulting program.

Isabel has the ability to bring diverse teams together and inspire each member to reach their potential so they can bring maximum value to the organization’s needs. She works tirelessly as a student, maintaining the highest GPA. Her insatiable curiosity led her to branch from a Marketing major to a double major in our Business Analytics and Internet Technology program. Isabel is concerned not only about her success but also the success of her peers. She works remarkably well with fellow students, professors, and administrators. She is a model Rutgers Business School student, and I look forward to celebrating her many accomplishments to come.”

Eugene C. Gentile Ed.M.
Director, Office of Career Management
Rutgers Business School

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