Fordham University’s Alexandra Gallagher
“I love Peloton! As a fitness enthusiast I am always interested in new trends in the workout space, and I find Peloton to be a positive and innovative leader in the field. While I don’t own a Peloton bike or treadmill myself, I have visited their NYC studios on several occasions and am constantly impressed by the quality of product that Peloton produces. Their instructors are world-class and the machine itself is incredible. More than that, Peloton has fostered a positive, empowering community of users from all across the globe that cheer one another on in the pursuit of their fitness goals.”
Alexandra Gallagher, Fordham University (Gabelli)
“I have always admired Google for the way that it has brought so many great software tools to the public for free. Google has become a household name for its search engine, which is the way that most people find information on the internet. Its productivity tools like Gmail and Google Drive have changed the way that people communicate and collaborate, and its ad services and analytics allow small business owners to reach customers in ways that were never possible previously. On top of that, Google consistently rates as a top place to work. It has only been around for 21 years (I am exactly one month older than Google!), and I admire what Google has been able to accomplish in that time.”
Darby Foster, Georgia Tech (Scheller)
“I admire Glossier, the beauty company that is redefining the future of e-commerce. I think Glossier’s success comes from the team’s efforts to connect with everyday women, providing them with a unique experience. I find Glossier’s online model to be even more personal and fun than compared to traditional brick-and-mortar makeup brands. I will say, however, that the company needs to look into the environmental concerns of their products and packaging. They just discontinued a non-biodegradable glitter product, which is a move in the right direction.”
Kristin John, Boston University (Questrom)
“TED has managed to create a space where people coming from different backgrounds can share thought leadership with each other. I’m convinced that with its talks TED allows individuals to learn and see things from different perspectives which ultimately benefits humanity as a whole. TED in its search of ideas worth spreading doesn’t set limitations on inspiration and creates a warm environment where people can develop a growth mindset and network with experts of various fields.”
Roberto Pérez Segura, Hult International Business School
“I really admire Bath & Body Works (Lbrands) because of its ability to identify and meet the needs of its customers through innovative designs and fragrances. The company truly believes that the customer is always right and exemplifies this by continually seeking customers’ input throughout the creative process. This attention to the customer allows the company to grow and remain relevant in the ever-changing retail market.”
Donnesha Robinson, Indiana University (Kelley)
Wharton School’s Tanusri Balla
“I may be biased because I’ve spent two summers there, but I really do admire Microsoft under Satya Nadella’s leadership the most. Microsoft’s original growth and success with the PC operating system was impressive, but I most admire the company’s culture shift and resilience following its unsuccessful “devices and services” era. The company’s new focus on cloud computing is technically interesting, and its focus on a growth mindset at both the individual and team level makes it a challenging and exciting place to work.”
Tanusri Balla, Wharton School
“I would say that I admire Microsoft Corporation the most. When I look at Microsoft, I don’t just see it for its devices or cloud computing software. I see more. I see a soul and a selfless drive to help people around the world. Bill Gates is a perfect example of this and set the precedent as the CEO to give back to the community and donate as much as you can to others. That could mean fighting off diseases, providing technology to underdeveloped countries, cleaning up oceans, etc. – this is a never-ending list to Microsoft. As an intern, I was given actual money to go donate to a cause I was passionate about. I’ve never had the chance to do something like this, especially in other companies I interned with, and it felt that like I could make more of an impact on a community. I was able to do more than just volunteer for a day. I was able to go a step further and support an initiative of my choice. This changed my outlook on Microsoft and is one of the reasons why I decided to go there full-time after college.”
Samantha Maryann Stevons, Michigan State (Broad)
“I admire TOMS because their entire business model is centered around using their products to help provide assistance to those in need. Every single product the company sells turns into direct aid to those in need, with that aid coming in many forms in addition to their well-known shoe donations.”
J’Quaan Waite, Miami University (Farmer)
“I admire Allbirds for being a sustainability-first company that challenges conventional practices in fashion, one of the world’s most polluting industries. Allbirds not only makes shoes from sustainable materials like wool, eucalyptus, and sugar cane, but also commits to being a carbon neutral company. It’s a great example of how a comfortable, popular, and stylish product doesn’t have to come at the expense of the planet.”
Caitlyn Lubas, New York University (Stern)
“From childhood to adulthood, my most admired company has always been the Walt Disney Company because of their iconic ability to entertain and inspire generations of people. In such an innovative and competitive global climate, the company has successfully maintained a competitive advantage since pioneering media in the early 1920s. Ranked highly by Forbes as one of the World’s Best Regarded Companies and World’s Best Employers, I not only admire the ingenious business model but also the strong social, philanthropic, and environmental impact the company has had on the world.”
Caitlin Colbert, Santa Clara University (Leavey)
“I admire Protiviti the most because Protiviti has proven time-and-time again that they are truly dedicated to Corporate and Social Responsibility. Of course, they are a for-profit business, but to see the things they do for our world, such as feeding nearly 10,000,000 meals to the homeless is incredible. St. John’s is a Vincentian University, and an imperative part of being Vincentian is service. To see Protiviti acting in such a generous and loving way goes to show that there are Vincentians in all areas of life.”
Deven Rodriguez, St. John’s (Tobin)
Robert Mitchell, University of Illinois (Gies)
“The company that I admire the most is Coca-Cola. My admiration for them is not only because of their great success all over the world, but also for their historical dedication of giving back to communities internationally. My parents have always taught me the importance of remaining selfless and giving back, and Coca-Cola has been a shining example of what it means to give back in a variety of ways. They have donated more than $800 million since the early 1980s to causes such as community development, charity, and education. One of my ultimate goals is to start a scholarship endowment for deserving college students, and Coca-Cola has been a great example of how to successfully affect people’s lives in positive ways.”
Robert Mitchell, University of Illinois (Gies)
“I really admire Salesforce and its CEO, Marc Benioff. Salesforce truly exemplifies business as an engine for social change, utilizing a model that maximizes its philanthropy and positive impact. The company understands that the future of business means not only addressing the most pressing issues of society, but brainstorming ways to solve these problems. Salesforce and its CEO aren’t afraid to tackle controversial issues that other companies might shy away from.”
Kristen Wong, Syracuse University (Whitman)
“My favorite company is IKEA! They are a company dedicated to creating a positive impact on people and the planet, through ethically produced products, and the development of a sustainable lifestyle. The company is conscious of their supply chain, using more and more recycled materials every year, as well as what they put out, committing to work towards zero-waste operations. By supporting local craftsmen and weavers in countries like India, Bangladesh and Vietnam, Ikea is offering them an opportunity to make a living while contributing to sustainable lifestyles. They’ve even committed to reducing their own impact on the planet by powering stores with clean energy, and only using renewably sourced or recycled plastic. I love the company because of its holistic approach in moving to what they call “A Sustainable Everyday” by considering the labor used as to make the products as well as their material inputs, energy intake and waste output.”
Anandita Mehta, College of New Jersey
“In the greater landscape of publicly-traded financial services firms, I admire the unique approach Baird has taken in remaining privately-held and employee-owned. In navigating the complex environment in which it thrives, I believe the long-term focus, yet agile nature of being a private firm will pay immense dividends, as it has for the last century. Having spent two summers at the corporate headquarters and a full year working remotely, I can confidently say that the talented and dedicated associates within Baird are some of the most outstanding individuals I have had the pleasure of working with; their commitment to trust, respect, and teamwork are unparalleled. I am so thankful for the opportunities Baird has given me in developing my skills both personally and professionally and in allowing me to discover and pursue my interests in the financial markets.”
Sarah Goldberg, Texas Christian University (Neeley)
“Trader Joe’s. It really comes down to two things. First, they offer a differentiated product selection that makes the shopping experience unique compared to their competitors. This proves that Trader Joe’s understands their customer. Second, and most important, is that Trader Joe’s employees seem happy to work there. Trader Joe’s is an exemplary showcase of how employee happiness often leads to overall, bottom-line success. Although we do not have one in Champaign or Urbana, I do not hesitate to drive long distances in order to supply my freezer and pantry with Trader Joe’s items.”
Sarah Jaeger, University of Illinois (Gies)
Next Page: Nike, Amazon, Netflix, Patagonia, and more.
Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.