Myles Lee: 2016 Best and Brightest

Myles Lee SMU

Myles Lee

Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

High School: Ascension Episcopal School

Major: Accounting

Favorite Business Courses: History of American Business: Through the Eyes of GM; Evolution of American Capitalism and the Global Challenges Ahead

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Deloitte Nation Leadership Conference Selectee, KPMG Future Diversity Leaders Selectee, SMU Big Business Ideas Winner, SMU Football Sheraton Hawaii Bowl Champion, Alley Scholars National Business Plan Competition Winner, KPMG International Case Competition – Dallas Regional Winner, SMU Conduct Board Member, InterFraternity Council Vice President of Recruiting, Phi Delta Theta Risk Manager

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • KPMG in Dallas, Financial Due Diligence
  • Morgan Stanley in Dallas, Wealth Management
  • KPMG in Dallas, Deal Advisory
  • LyfeBox Inc. in Dallas, Co-Founder & Treasurer (List Companies, Locations and Roles)

Describe your dream job: My dream job would be starting my own Venture Capital firm. I really enjoy working with start-ups. Having been apart of two of my own, I know first hand how exciting it is to watch a company grow and reach its full penitential.

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoyed learning about what makes a business successful and how to measure the general health of a business. It is very important to not only understand your business but to also the ins and outs of your competition.

Where would you like to work after graduation? 

A.T. Kearney, Business Analyst

KPMG, Deal Advisory Analyst

What are your long-term professional goals? Long-term, I want to either start my own start-up or work with many different start-ups and watch how one single business can transform an entire industry.

“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I noticed that all the people I admired and wanted to replicate had a strong business foundation.” 

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…pursing a career coaching football.”

 What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life is every time I go home to Louisiana and have some of my mother’s gumbo.

Which academic or personal achievement are you most proud of? Winning the SMU Big Business Ideas Project is the achievement of which I am most proud. The grant I received from winning this competition allowed me to start two successful companies while at SMU. I have been able to experience first-hand many of the situations I have studied about in the Cox School of Business.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? A leopard would represent my professional brand. Unlike other big cats, leopards cannot roar and must rely on their innate ability to sprint and adapt quickly to survive in the jungle.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my mother, Jane, who instilled in me the importance of hard work, discipline, and education from a very young age. Seeing her work extremely hard and go through the success and struggle of running her own mortgage lending company gave me exposure and insight to what the business world is like.

Fun fact about yourself: Three months ago I bought a Boykin Spaniel. His name is Cooper. He’s great.

Favorite book: Love Does by Bob Goff.

Favorite movie: Miracle

Favorite musical performer: Ed Sheeran

Favorite vacation spot: Seaside, Florida

What are your hobbies? Fishing, Crossfit

What made Myles such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016?

“To say Myles is the total package is quite the understatement. What more could you ask for in a student? He’s got it all: Grades, charisma, varsity letterman, entrepreneurship, a deep desire to give back, and a bright, bright future. And that only begins to scratch the surface. If you can find a student with just one or two of these qualities, you’ve usually got yourself a great student. Myles represents all the best qualities of the perfect student representative, but perhaps his greatest quality is his humble nature. He simply wins. He wins in the classroom.  He wins on the football field.  He wins case competitions and venture capital pitch contests.  But he’s the first person to deflect praise to his colleagues, teachers, and friends. It’s going to be amazing to watch him as an alum, and I’m thrilled we got to know him as a student.”

Jim Bryan
Associate Dean, BBA Program
Southern Methodist University, Cox School of Business