Nate Wallace
Lipscomb University College of Business
“Disciplined track athlete with a creative mind and quiet confidence!”
Fun fact about yourself: I maintain curated top 10 lists across categories like movies, songs, and books.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
High School: Whitewater High
Major: Business Entrepreneurship
Favorite Business Course: New Venture Creation
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
I have been a member of the men’s track and field team throughout my entire college career and have served as team captain for the past three seasons. This role has strengthened my leadership, accountability, and ability to motivate others toward a shared goal. During my freshman year, I was elected Vice President of the Black Student Association and was later elected President the following year. In both positions, I worked diligently to advocate for greater representation on campus and to create a stronger sense of community and belonging for Black students.
Additionally, I have served as the track and field representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where we engage in dialogue with the NCAA regarding rules and regulations that help shape the future of collegiate athletics.
I have been honored to receive several awards and recognitions, including the 2025 Joe and Malinda Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Strategy, recognizing me as a promising scholar; the Robert O. Clouse Innovation Award for creative thinking in alignment with entrepreneurship; and Academic All-ASUN honors. I have also been named to the Dean’s List for seven semesters and selected as a Leadership Summit member, highlighting my leadership potential within my team. In addition to these honors, I serve as President of the Entrepreneurship Club and hold a school record as part of the men’s 4×400-meter relay team.
Where have you interned during your college career? My first internship was with Leverage Brands, a Nashville-based digital brand management company that supports six-figure product launches and manages seven-figure online businesses. I served as a digital marketing intern during the second semester of my sophomore year—an early step that reflected my eagerness to gain real-world experience. In this role, I contributed to marketing strategy, brand positioning, and campaign execution, gaining firsthand exposure to the fast-paced world of digital business.
During the second semester of my junior year, I interned with Joe Bennie CPA, PC in Brentwood, TN, where I worked as a tax accounting intern from January through April. This opportunity allowed me to work directly under a CPA, assisting with tax preparation, tracking business expenses, and supporting client financial management. The experience strengthened my attention to detail and deepened my understanding of financial operations within small businesses.
Most recently, I worked with Absolutely Ridiculous—a Nashville-based company whose name certainly stands out. I began as a Warehouse Specialist and was promoted to Assistant Warehouse Manager within a few months. In this role, I oversaw all incoming and outgoing shipments, managed returns, and supervised a team of 15 employees. This experience sharpened my leadership skills and operational awareness in a high-growth environment.
In addition to my internships, I currently work at Fleet Feet Nashville as a retail associate. This role has allowed me to combine my passion for running with my business interests. Through this position, I have been able to build professional relationships and strategically leverage NIL opportunities, further aligning my athletic background with my long-term career goals. I am grateful for each of these experiences, as they have shaped both my professional growth and my commitment to making a meaningful impact.
Where will you be working after graduation? As of right now I am getting prepared for graduate school where I will be pursuing my MBA. During that time, I would like to intern with a consulting firm where I can gain hands-on experience in a field that I hope to start my career in. After a few years in corporate, I will venture off into opening my own barbershops so that the entrepreneur in me can be satisfied!
Who is your favorite business professor? This is a tough one but I would have to say Dr. Jeff Cohu. Through him, I unlocked a better mindset when it came to solving entrepreneurial problems. His personality very much aligns with what he teaches and that is important for a professor when it comes to something that you are passionate about.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? One lesson that consistently stays with me is, “If everybody is your customer, nobody is your customer.” That idea shapes how I think on a daily basis, especially because I approach life with an entrepreneurial mindset. It reminds me to be focused, intentional, and clear about my purpose rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
On a more personal level, studying business has reinforced the belief that unused talent is wasted potential. I believe that if I have been given certain gifts, it is my responsibility to develop and apply them. I do not take those gifts lightly. I am deeply grateful for the abilities I have been entrusted with, and I strive to steward them well by using them to their fullest potential.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would tell them that the best way to choose a field is by first looking within. For me, I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and pursuing business felt natural. It also connects well with my sport, as I use business skills to leverage NIL opportunities and build meaningful professional networks.
I believe your strengths and interests should guide your decision. If you are analytical, data analytics might be a strong fit. If you enjoy building relationships and influencing others, marketing could be a great path. If you value structure and precision, accounting may be worth exploring. Ultimately, your major should build upon interests and abilities you have already demonstrated, especially those you discovered in high school, rather than forcing you to start from scratch.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? The main way that Lipscomb College of Business has integrated AI into my learning was by using it as a tool to help extract that innovation that we all have inside us. By this, I mean they will enable us to use it for assignments when we need a good starting point. This will, in turn, enhance research, help us come up with ideas and strategic analysis. A key insight that I have gained from using AI is that the quality in the output depends on the quality of the input that we put in. It’s to no surprise that AI can think of anything a fraction of the time humans can, but it still requires human judgement to be effective.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? As of right now, I am most proud to be a recipient of the 2025 Joe and Malinda Ivey Endowed Scholarship in Strategy. The news completely surprised me, and all I could do was smile—it instantly brought back memories of the long nights spent on challenging assignments, the grueling early-morning track practices, and the constant effort to balance work alongside it all. Being recognized in this way is both humbling and deeply meaningful. I see it not just as an achievement, but as motivation to continue pushing myself to go above and beyond.
Which classmate do you most admire? Wessel Van Der Nest. He is a close friend of mine as well as a teammate. He comes from South Africa which gives him a different perspective on things which is always good to have around. Anytime that I have a question, he is always willing to go that extra mile and help me answer it.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My father instilled in me a work ethic that has shaped who I am and only grown stronger over time. When I was in high school, he worked three jobs, yet still made sure I stayed on top of my academics and my athletics. Watching him balance sacrifice and dedication without complaint set the standard for how I approach everything in my life. He is a superhero in my eyes, and I hope this award serves as a reminder that every sacrifice he made and every lesson he taught has truly made a difference.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Establish a philanthropic foundation
- Record a TED talk
What made Nate such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Nate Wallace is an exceptional young man. He is smart, conscientious, and has an incredible work ethic. Nate’s disciplined approach to his work shows in the classroom, the workplace, and in his track & field career. As a result, he has excelled for four years in all of his endeavors at Lipscomb University both inside and outside the classroom. He has strong leadership ability and a desire to learn new things while also having high concern for others around him. Above all, Nate’s personal character is a strength that makes him stand as one of the best and brightest in the Lipscomb College of Business.”
Dr. Jeff Cohu
Professor of Management
Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
College of Business
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