Talia St. Angelo
The Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
“Oh my gosh, of course she knows them.”
Fun fact about yourself: I love being by the water – I grew up wakeboarding, and I’m scuba diving certified!
Hometown: Scituate, RI
High School: Scituate High School
Major: Marketing and Finance
Minor: Public Communications
Favorite Business Course: EEE 457 (Capstone) with Ken Walsleben
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Martin J. Whitman School of Management Class Marshal
- Delta Sigma Pi- Chapter Collegian of the Year (2024-25)
- Whitman Ambassador
- D’Aniello Merit Scholar
- Dean’s List
- Syracuse Abroad Global Ambassador (Madrid)
- Syracuse Club Softball- PR and Marketing Chair
- Ottothon- Marketing Committee
- Alpha Xi Delta- External Philanthropy Chair
- Panhellenic Judicial Board Member
- Syracuse Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Johnston Memorial Cancer Events Golf Tournament Organizer
Where have you interned during your college career?
- PJC – VC Diligence Intern, Providence, RI
- RT Specialty – Intern Broker, both Boston, MA and NYC, NY
- Biotech – Digital Marketing Intern, Remote
Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Collaboration is essential! My time at Whitman has shown me that success in business is never a one-person effort. We constantly work in teams, engaging with diverse individuals we may not have otherwise collaborated with, which has strengthened my ability to adapt, communicate, and contribute effectively in group settings.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Step out of your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Business is a dynamic field that requires adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to take risks. Getting involved in different organizations, exploring various disciplines, and networking with professionals can open doors you never expected. Don’t limit yourself, rather challenge assumptions, seek diverse experiences and remain open to growth.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? My time at Syracuse has been incredibly fulfilling, and I’m grateful for all the experiences I’ve had at Whitman. However, if I could change one thing, it would be attending the Whitman immersion trips in NYC earlier in my college career. I didn’t fully appreciate the thrill and excitement of working in a fast-paced city like New York City until my internship during junior year. Attending those trips early on would have given me valuable exposure to the city’s dynamic opportunities and helped me explore my career interests sooner.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? One of the graduation requirements at the Martin J. Whitman School of Business is our capstone class, a collaborative and competitive experience where Syracuse business majors work together to create a company offering a product or service. At the end of the semester, teams present their ideas to determine which company has the greatest potential. The thought of building an entire company in just three weeks initially felt overwhelming, especially coming up with a viable idea. However, our capstone class integrated AI into the process, allowing us to pool our shared interests and ideas and use AI to guide us toward a strong business concept. Though I was initially hesitant about AI, this experience showed me its value as a resource. It doesn’t replace creativity but helps fill in the blanks, making it easier to bring ideas to life and move them in the right direction.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Becoming a Class Marshal has been one of the most meaningful accomplishments of my time at Syracuse. During my freshman year, I was new to my sorority when I learned about a graduating senior who served as the Class Marshal for the Newhouse School of Public Communications. She delivered an inspiring speech at graduation and was widely-respected as a credible and impactful student both in and outside of our sorority. From that moment, I set a goal for myself to follow in her footsteps, not only to leave my mark on the Whitman School of Management but to make a lasting impact on Syracuse University as a whole.
Additionally, coming from a small high school, I was often critiqued for stepping so far outside of my comfort zone. I had always been a big fish in a small pond, but Syracuse presented a new challenge—a much larger pond where I initially felt like a small fish. Earning this recognition as Class Marshal is a testament to my growth, resilience, and determination. It symbolizes how I have not only adapted but thrived, proving to myself and others that I could make a meaningful impact within this community. Now, I hope to inspire younger students, just as I was once inspired, to dream big, push their limits, and leave their own mark on Syracuse University.
Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admire is Will Rourke. He is one of the most hardworking and driven individuals I know, constantly pushing himself and those around him to improve. As a leader in our professional fraternity, he takes initiative, embraces challenges, and isn’t afraid to step out of his comfort zone. Beyond his leadership, Will is incredibly dependable. Whether it’s offering guidance, collaborating on projects, or stepping up in case competitions, he consistently delivers and supports his peers. We both studied at Syracuse and abroad at the same time, sharing a passion for travel, adventure and pushing boundaries. His ability to balance ambition with a willingness to help others makes him an invaluable teammate and someone I truly respect.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? Hands down, I have my parents to thank for shaping me into the person I am today. My mom set the standard high for me at a young age being the first female police officer in her town. I owe her for my personality, desire to help others, and ambition to set the bar high and desire to surpass it. Years later she continued to encourage me to step outside of my comfort zone. It was not common for someone from our family to flee the nest. While she was not someone who loved it, she was the person who encouraged me the whole way, and never told me that I couldn’t do something.
My dad reinforced that same mindset in a different way. As the owner of his own masonry company, he had me working in the field from a young age, teaching me the value of hard work and pushing me beyond the limits of what’s traditionally expected, especially for a girl my age. Thanks to him, I’m OSHA certified and can operate a Bobcat, skills that prove there’s nothing I can’t learn. My family has always emphasized the importance of being diverse in my skills, and my parents instilled in me the belief that no challenge is too big to take on. Because of them, I step into every opportunity with confidence, knowing I can handle whatever comes my way.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? One of my top professional goals is to see my company, product, or even myself featured on a billboard in Times Square. It’s a space that showcases some of the most innovative brands and influential individuals, and achieving that would symbolize the impact and success I strive to create.
Another goal of mine is to open a coffee shop. I’ve had a strong passion for coffee for most of my life, and I’m a creative person who loves making people happy. Opening a coffee shop would allow me to blend my creativity with my desire to bring joy to others in a warm, welcoming space.
What made Talia such an invaluable member of the Class of 2025?
“Talia St. Angelo is an individual whose enthusiasm and energy are contagious, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she meets. Whether you’ve known her for a brief time or for years, her vibrant presence draws you in and inspires those around her. Talia has fully embraced every opportunity throughout her college career, balancing her academic pursuits with active participation in clubs, athletics and community ambassadorships. It’s clear that her passion lies in uplifting others, and she does so with genuine joy.
Her tenacity and leadership have been central to her success. Talia’s persistence and drive set her apart as a leader who doesn’t shy away from challenges always striving for excellence and the satisfaction of a job well done.
As a student representative on the Undergraduate Board at Whitman, Talia demonstrates exceptional professionalism and insight. She listens attentively to faculty, staff and administrators, offering constructive feedback and thoughtful suggestions aimed at enhancing the student experience at Syracuse University.
Talia is undoubtedly deserving of the Poets&Quants recognition as one of the Brightest Undergraduates of 2025. Her academic excellence, coupled with the lasting impact she has made throughout her time at Syracuse, make her an outstanding candidate and a true standout among her peers.”
Alicin Welsh
Associate Director, Career Center
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