Vishesh Chawla
Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business
“Finance geek, aviation enthusiast, thoughtful strategist, and positive soul—chasing ideas and sky-high dreams with a grin – why stay grounded when you can soar?”
Fun fact about yourself: I could talk about aviation for hours and not get bored. The reason? My first flight was at the young age of two months, and was on one the longest routes in the world, EWR-BOM—15 hours, non-stop.
Hometown: Edison, NJ | Mumbai (Bombay), India
High School: Ryan International School, Mumbai, India
Major: Global Business with a concentration in Global Finance & Business Economics
Favorite Business Course:
Most Challenging: Global Financial Management Capstone
Most Interesting: FinTech
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles During College:
Honors Program: Ignite Honors Scholar (1 of 10 Scholars in an extremely competitive “change-maker” cohort from a select group of the Class of 2025 focusing on entrepreneurship, sustainability, social impact, and innovation.)
Other Honors/Awards: Honors Dean’s List, Gabelli Woolworth Award (2021), UNOVA Scholarship & The Gabelli Scholarship Recipient, Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (International Business Honor Society), Finance Scholar, Sophomore of the Year, GSB Consulting Cup Semi-Finalist
Leadership, Volunteering & Extracurriculars:
* Founding President of GLOBE: Founded the first Global Student Organization at Fordham University – Lincoln Center as its President in the Fall of 2023. A mission to bring together global perspectives, languages, and cuisines while fostering the intersection of international students and cultures. Food diplomacy, advocacy, and workshops, among other activities.
* Senior TA, The Ground Floor: Leading a team of 25 teaching assistants in the Gabelli School of Business’s showcase first-year intro to business course, helping in course management, weekly TA reporting, and advising TAs on best strategies in student mentorship and classroom management. Reporting to the Course Coordinator/Assistant Dean.
* Commuter First-Year Mentor: Mentor a group of ~40 first-year students, helping them transition into college by programming for events, workshops, and student mentorship hours.
* Senior Leader @ The Gabelli Dean’s Council LC
* Gabelli Mentor
* Volunteer @ The New York City Marathon (NYRR)
* Executive Board @ Ignite Honors Council
* Global Transition Leader @ Office of International Services
* Vice President @ The Commuting Student’s Association
* Executive Board @ Fordham University Emerging Leaders (FUEL)
Where have you interned during your college career?
* The American Express Company, New York, Strategy & Business Development Intern
* Silver Leaf Partners, New York, Sustainable Finance Intern-Analyst
* NewsTonic, New York/Dublin, Co-Founder & President
* TouTix, New York, Business Strategy Intern-Consultant
* Stasher, New York/London, Business Development Consultant
* Starta Venture Capital, New York, Venture Capital Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? The American Express Company, New York, Strategy & Business Development Analyst — Global Merchants & Networks Group working on payments strategy and global + national partnerships
Who is your favorite business professor? This is a tie between my most challenging professor, Prof. Kenneth Lobo, and my two-time finance professor, Prof. James McCann.
Professor Kenneth Lobo taught the capstone Global Financial Management course I took during my junior year. This course was the pinnacle of my Global Finance degree because it focused on the “realities” of global economics, finance, and trade implications rather than just explaining theories as we did in courses such as macroeconomics.
Professor Lobo’s rigorous class structure (four assignments due every week, with a case study, intense news discussions, case discussion, and theory presentation every week in class) encouraged me to take the class seriously. Even more, it motivated me to become more involved in reading the daily news and closely following global markets and their implications. I distinctly remember one key principle he wanted all students to grasp: risk, risk, and risk. We focused on questions like, “How does X pose a risk to the world?” and “How does X increase risk for global capital markets?” He consistently challenged us to tackle these types of questions each week in class.
His energy, passion, and immense experience are examples of some qualities that I respect about Professor Lobo. He wanted every student to succeed as we prepared to enter the world of global finance. I’m grateful to have taken his class and looked forward to the constant rigor of the course.
Professor McCann, on the other hand, was not only my financial management professor, but also my professor for the Investments & Securities Analysis course. Professor McCann is a student favorite here at Gabelli Lincoln Center.
As part of the Investments class, Professor McCann introduced a gamification element that allowed us to maintain our own portfolios on an online website throughout the semester. At the same time, he aimed for us to learn how to execute stock pitches effectively. We analyzed equity stocks like true investment analysts. Writing stock pitches and recommendations has been an activity I have engaged in extensively during my internships and professional life, so I am grateful to him for exposing us to this in our sophomore year.
His passion for uplifting student spirit, energetic teaching style, and easy-to-understand approach to finance genuinely stand out and are qualities that students greatly respect. He has always been open to feedback and has immensely helped me in building a strong foundation in finance.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Studying theory has helped me understand that strategy is not merely about frameworks; it’s about adaptability. As global markets shift and preferences change, even the most foolproof plans can fail. Through my various experiences, I have realized that real progress occurs when we apply our knowledge in real-life contexts, allowing businesses to thrive through adaptation.
As I approached my junior year, I realized that every opportunity—especially internships, even unpaid ones—can be a vital stepping stone for growth. These experiences allow me to apply my learning in real-world situations and deepen my understanding of adaptation. Embracing these challenges is crucial for unlocking my full potential. It’s not only an opportunity for personal development but also honors the supportive environment our school fosters, encouraging all of us to strive for excellence.
My key takeaway? To always seize opportunities that allow me to apply my business acumen in practical settings, whether through stock pitches, consulting cases, or hands-on internship roles. Each experience is a chance to grow, learn, and thrive—both personally and professionally.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Real business knowledge is gained through experience in all firm areas, including finance, marketing, technology, operations, and supply chain management. While it’s beneficial to specialize in one or more of these areas, avoid limiting yourself strictly to those fields. Humans are naturally curious and thrive on variety, not monotonous work. Therefore, adopt an exploration-first mindset rather than focusing solely on specific outcomes when deciding your career path.
Having a clear goal is beneficial—for example, wanting to pursue a career in finance to get into investment banking. However, this path may not be suitable for everyone. Many business students often take a non-traditional route by majoring in one specialization, such as Accounting, while eventually working in a different area, like Strategy Consulting. Through this journey, they may discover their initial choice best fits them. This approach is perfectly fine, as it allows students to expand their knowledge and explore new fields.
I also recommend exploring the intersections between your specializations and other fields, such as finance and technology or supply chain and AI. Understanding these connections is crucial for effectively applying your primary specializations in practice, whether for your own venture or the corporate world.
Never stop learning. Always ask questions. Embrace new opportunities and remain open to meeting new people.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back on my first year, one thing I regret is not participating more in corporate site visits and exploration programs hosted by various firms, as well as open networking opportunities. Major corporations, especially those headquartered in New York City, often organize special exploratory events exclusively for first or second-year students. These events present a unique opportunity to get ahead of the curve, as they allow you to introduce yourself to recruiters in person and experience the company’s culture firsthand. Additionally, you get the chance to engage with employees and associates.
During my first year, I was still adjusting to the significant cultural transition, which hindered my ability to fully take advantage of the business opportunities available in New York City. Looking back, one thing I would have changed is attending more evening networking events held almost weekly for different niches through various organizations and startups. This is common in larger metropolitan areas like NYC, and, as a college student, it’s an ideal time to put yourself out there and meet like-minded individuals.
You never know who you might encounter in New York City—perhaps the future founder of a billion-dollar company.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Gabelli is actively promoting the use of AI among students in various ways, one of which involves the professor’s discretion on selected assignments.
In one of my recent classes in Fall 2024, titled Global Investments, the second half of the course focused entirely on Python programming using Google Collaboratory—a software that was new to all of us. Our professor aimed to teach us coding skills and familiarize us with Python, which has numerous applications in business, particularly finance. For our end-of-semester project, we were tasked with structuring and calculating the return on a global portfolio using well-known investment strategies, like the maximum Sharpe ratio (MSRP), alongside new strategies we were encouraged to explore.
Our professor promoted using AI to facilitate this, as Google Collaboratory integrates with Google’s Gemini. This allowed us to not only learn the basics of coding and evaluating a portfolio but also to investigate new models like the Black-Litterman model for portfolio allocation. Engaging with Google’s Gemini through Gabelli was rewarding because it exposed me to several valuable areas:
1) Learning Python coding.
2) Understanding the intersection of finance and technology.
3) Knowing how to construct a well-balanced global risk/return adjusted portfolio.
In the Financial Applications & Institutions course, students were encouraged to utilize AI as part of a case study and practical-based learning approach. The professor suggested using AI to obtain more detailed answers and refine our existing value propositions, such as advising on mergers and acquisitions or discussing new startups in our assignments. He believed that AI serves as a valuable, ongoing assistant, and we, as students, must learn how to use it effectively by crafting the right prompts. This skill will ultimately lead to success in the business world.
I learned that although AI is one of the greatest revolutions of the 21st century, it requires knowledgeable individuals who understand what questions to ask. Having a solid foundation and knowing how to structure the perfect prompts can significantly enhance how AI works for us.
Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of? I’m most proud of my acceptance into the Ignite Scholars cohort at Gabelli during my sophomore year. I always knew that I wanted to be a change-maker and had an entrepreneurial mindset, but when I initially applied to colleges, I did not realize how important it would be for me to start differentiating myself from the herd.
My acceptance into the program has significantly contributed to my long-term success at Gabelli. I was surrounded by a cohort of like-minded individuals determined to stand out from the 99% and consistently challenged themselves and each other to become part of the unique 1%. I am proud of my fellow Ignite Scholars and grateful for the healthy competition that helped us all grow. The program encouraged me to become an entrepreneur and develop my social venture from the ground up. This experience allowed me to think critically about how I want to impact the world and identify where I can apply my skills to grow my social enterprise. Our insightful professors challenged us each semester to deliver the best ideas and plans possible, leading us toward excellence.
As part of the cohort, I was also fortunate enough to be selected as the student leader for the Ignite Global Immersion Trip to Berlin, which not only helped me hone my leadership abilities but made me a better person. The trip made my college experience full since I did not study for a semester abroad and wanted global exposure to foreign firms and markets. I was grateful that Gabelli allowed me to do that in Berlin, Germany, through corporate site visits, visits to startups and incubation hubs, leading a consulting project for a small business, and more.
Which classmate do you most admire? As a fellow Ignite Honors Scholar, Leith Akallal has been a reliable buddy since my first year of college. I met Leith in our core Math for Business class back in the first year of college, where I quickly recognized his talent for solving complex mathematical concepts and our shared drive for perfection. We soon became good friends and study partners. In our sophomore year, we reconnected at the Ignite Scholar’s retreat at Fordham’s Westchester campus, where we bonded over our shared interests in social innovation and entrepreneurship. We took similar Ignite courses the following few semesters and finally completed our Ignite Honors Capstone Presentation in the Fall of 2024. Leith is always eager to assist others without questioning them, highlighting his positive and caring nature.
This past Summer, Leith and I also participated in Gabelli’s Ignite Global Immersion to Berlin, Germany. There, we worked together on a mini-consulting project and visited companies like BMW and EY, making it the best college trip of our lives. As a real estate agent in New York, Leith is committed, intellectual, and optimistic – three qualities I love about him.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My primary sources of support during my move from India to New York have been my parents and my aunt, particularly my mom. She provided invaluable emotional support as I navigated this significant transition.
Leaving India during the pandemic was difficult for her, but she ensured I was settled in the U.S. before returning. I remember our visit to Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus in the summer of 2021, where she was excited for me as I began this new chapter in my life.
Throughout my first semester, my mom continually checked in to ensure I was happy with my college choice and understood the challenges of returning after over 13 years in India. Her unwavering support has been crucial to my success. I will never forget her waking up early in the morning to make me coffee when I was preparing for my first mid-term exams in 2021 or her encouraging me during the times I got a grade that was lower than expected – small efforts that go a long way.
I also appreciate my dad’s guidance during the college application process and encouragement to choose a challenging major. My aunt, living in the U.S., further aided my adjustment to American culture and was a big support system.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1) I aim to utilize my knowledge to give back to society through a social entrepreneurship venture or by engaging in intrapreneurship that drives meaningful impact.
2) I plan to pursue higher education at the intersection of finance and technology, as artificial intelligence is crucial for unlocking future success when utilized effectively.
Additionally, I want to continue supporting Fordham University and the Gabelli School by mentoring incoming first-year and second-year students, encouraging them to achieve tremendous success and push their boundaries even after I graduate.
I aim never to stop learning because when we stop learning, we stop growing. Success is not just about what I achieve but also about how I help others succeed – that is why the need to drive meaningful impact in the world is crucial for me.
What made Chawla such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“The first day Vishesh Chawla arrived on campus at the Gabelli School of Business’s Lincoln Center campus, it was clear he would be a force to reckon with. I met Vishesh four years ago, as a student in my first-year intro to business course, the Ground Floor. His infectious smile, personality, and drive to absorb knowledge, grow, and have an impact – even in that first semester – distinguished him from his peers.
Vishesh’s involvement quickly progressed from new student/peer to impact-maker and leader, serving in multiple mentor, E-board, and executive roles in student clubs and organizations. An easy leader, Vishesh excelled in the critical soft skills of connecting with his fellow students, faculty and administrators to become a true campus presence. To those who meet him, they will always recognize his smile, but might be surprised to learn he is a commuter. As a commuter, making an impact on campus could seem a daunting challenge, but not for Vishesh. He is ever-present, always engaged, quick to extend a hand or offer assistance, and involved in everything that interests him, leading to a long and varied list of accomplishments and internships.
Over the last four years, Vishesh has grown to become a true face of the Gabelli School of Business’s Lincoln Center campus, where he has very much made a difference and had a tremendous impact on our school. We look forward to the impact he will make as his life’s journey progresses from student to graduate, alumnus, and changemaker at American Express!”
Robert Daly
Director of Student Engagement and Retention
Ground Floor Course Coordinator
Adjunct Professor
Gabelli School of Business
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