Alumni & Student Success Stories
Preparing You for the Management Careers of the Future
Because the management skill sets we teach and the leadership knowledge we impart are universal in nature, the MS in Management (MiM) On-site prepares students and graduates for careers across industries and around the world. The education they receive provides the insights, intuition, and innovation needed to be successful in a rapidly evolving business environment. Our graduates are highly sought after for their ability to drive strategic direction, improve performance and collaboration, support organizational growth, and increase efficiency and competitiveness.
The alumni and student profiles below provide a snapshot of the diverse individuals who chose the MS in Management (MiM) On-site to build their confidence, enhance their résumé, and increase their career options.
Where Our Alumni Work:
Accenture • Allstar Innovations • Beacon Hill • Blue Owl Capital • China International Capital Corporation Limited • Colgate-Palmolive • Financial Times • Fordham University • Fox News Media • Guotai Junan Securities Co. • Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP • Jesuits in Southern Africa • Silberman School of Social Work - Hunter College
Bryson Kernan Clark
(FCLC ’23, GABELLI ’24)
Founder, Home in Hell’s Kitchen
A designer, entrepreneur, and community builder, Bryson Kernan Clark began formulating a vision for his future while pursuing his undergraduate degree at Fordham University where he focused on the visual arts, Spanish language, and literature. He developed a deep desire to have an impact on society and the world—one that was rooted in his unflinching commitment to belonging, social justice, and the human connection. After completing his undergraduate studies, he chose to immediately pursue the MS in Management at the Gabelli School of Business, realizing he would need the financial, leadership, and organizational skills to bring his ideas to life.
“I knew Fordham would give me the support to develop my ideas. The Management program at the Gabelli School felt like the right fit for my entrepreneurial spirit,” he recalled. “It gave me practical business training, but also reinforced my belief that humanistic, value-driven management is possible.”
In one of his classes, Kernan Clark conceived and developed a business plan for Home in Hell’s Kitchen, a community-focused initiative offering programming, pop-ups, and events designed around connection, sustainability, and creating welcoming “third places,” (informal social places that are not related to home or work) for New Yorkers. The course provided the structure he needed to refine his business concept and workshop it with classmates, transforming a seed of an idea into an actionable business model.
The MS in Management’s emphasis on humanistic leadership and social innovation, as well as the encouragement of his professors and peers, played an instrumental role in making his dream a reality. At the urging of one of his professors, he submitted an essay on the “scarcity of care” and earned a place as a “Leader of Tomorrow” at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland alongside business and government leaders from around the world. The experience reinforced his belief that intergenerational community connection and sustainable best practices can address broader societal challenges.
Today, in addition to managing Home in Hell’s Kitchen, Kernan Clark freelances as a designer and works in marketing. He has built a multifaceted career that allows him to fully realize his potential as an effective leader who drives meaningful social impact. Long-term, he envisions securing a permanent home for his organization that will serve as a dedicated space where community, sustainability, and creativity intersect every day.
Maria Grazia Crea
(GABELLI ’26)
Current MiM Student
For Maria Grazia Crea, a native of Rome, Italy with a master’s degree in law, her Gabelli School of Business journey began during a visit to New York City while she was writing her graduate thesis. A conversation with an Italian student enrolled in the MS in Finance program introduced her to Fordham University and she quickly discovered that the MS in Management program aligned perfectly with her evolving career goals.
Although she was trained in law, Crea’s professional interests shifted after gaining experience in marketing while working closely with a manager who sparked her curiosity about business strategy and decision-making. “I wanted to understand how strategic decisions are made and how businesses really operate,” she noted. Seeking to build a strong foundation in business without a traditional background, she chose the MS in Management for its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on sustainability. “The program gives you a broad managerial perspective while consistently integrating sustainability, which was very important to me.”
Prior to applying, Crea’s experience communicating with staff and faculty members at the Gabelli School confirmed her decision that it was the right fit for her. “I immediately felt that people genuinely cared about the students,” she recalled. Throughout the application and visa process, Gabelli School administrators checked in regularly and offered guidance at every stage.
Since arriving in New York in August 2025, Crea has embraced the collaborative, discussion-driven classroom environment, as well as the program’s strong networking culture. “The classes are very interactive, and professors regularly invite guest speakers from industry, which makes the learning experience incredibly practical,” she noted. Working as a graduate assistant has further strengthened her connection to Fordham, while studying in the heart of Manhattan has helped her to forge professional connections that will assist in advancing her career in a new field. “From the beginning,” she added, “the Gabelli School community has offered the support I need to create opportunities for the future.”
Qijie (Harry) Wang
(GABELLI ’19)
Vice President (VP), Investment Banking Department of Guotai Haitong Securities Co., Ltd.
For Qijie (Harry) Wang, earning an MS in Management at the Gabelli School of Business was a professional milestone that is also a requirement for succeeding in China’s competitive finance sector. Having earned his undergraduate degree in economics in the United States, he searched for a program with a comprehensive curriculum, global perspective, and a prime New York City location that would prepare him for a career back home. “Shanghai is an international city, and employers value global experience,” he explained. “A degree from Fordham gave me a chance to grow my network in the heart of the financial world.”
Wang also was drawn to the program’s content, which offered more than management fundamentals. Courses in finance, accounting, and organizational leadership gave him a holistic picture of how different functions of a business operate and helped him to understand what kind of roles he wanted to pursue. He was inspired by the program’s hands-on learning, particularly the international immersion trip to Brazil, during which he had the opportunity to visit major companies and see global operations, firsthand. “We didn’t just learn from textbooks,” he noted. “We saw how real factories and international firms worked, which made a big difference in understanding and applying the course content.”
Wang now works in Shanghai at Guotai Haitong Securities Co., Ltd., one of China’s top securities companies. As a Vice President (VP) in the Investment Banking Division, he helps firms to navigate the complex process of initial public offerings, which need to be packaged and submitted to the Chinese government for approval. The role demands precision, teamwork, and the ability to coordinate with many stakeholders, including accountants, lawyers, and regulatory agencies. “The management training at the Gabelli School prepared me to lead teams, manage third-party partners, and structure workflows under high pressure,” he commented.
Beyond academics, Wang emphasized that the Gabelli School’s alumni network in Shanghai is stronger and more connected than many other business schools. “The alumni community has helped me stay connected to New York, which is important as I think about my career long term,” he added. Looking ahead, he hopes to dedicate his professional strength to help businesses showcase their core value and contribute to the financial sector worldwide.