A L U M N I
in Action
ETHAN TODD
MSM ’15
Finding Passion — and Purpose Finding your passion isn’t always easy.
It’s a story that draws on Todd’s time at the School of Business, where pivotal moments included participating in Action Learning Projects.
For Ethan Todd (MSM ’15), the road to the Wake Forest University School of Business — and to discovering his passion — led through undergraduate classes in anthropology, theology, “They taught me the importance of establishing trust with and screenwriting, and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies. others,” he said. “It’s easy to move forward with your own After deciding to reorient his path toward business, he came to decision, but it takes professional maturity to listen and underWake Forest to join the Master’s in Management Program. It stand diverse perspectives first. Always remember you can didn’t take long for him to find clarity on his calling. influence once only after you have listened twice!” “I took the Career Leader personality assessment during orientation and scored a 99% in human resources,” Todd said. “I immediately enrolled in the School of Business’ Human Resources Club.” At the club, Todd was encouraged to attend the local chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Through school and the professional networking group, Todd met human resources leaders who eventually became his mentors. Today, Todd is senior advisor of compensation at Dell Technologies, serving the company’s global operations, client solutions group, and other areas. And he’s forged strong connections between Dell and Wake Forest, returning to campus each year for recruiting. “It has been important to me to share the University’s value proposition with Dell human resource leaders and be an advocate for the Wake Forest students we bring to Austin, Texas,” he said. “It’s always an honor to be asked to speak with students about servant leadership, human resources, and even share my personal story.”
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Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate focus — one of the main reasons Todd chose the School over others — also left an indelible impression. Todd partnered with other students and the Forsyth Backpack Coalition to plan a team-building activity for orientation while providing weekend meal kits to underprivileged children in the Winston-Salem community. He was honored with the Pro Humanitate Leadership Award for those efforts and has returned to campus on behalf of Dell to sponsor this event for the past two years. Todd also counts the influence of Susan Langlitz, associate professor of the practice, as a key part of his professional development. “She helped me understand the power of having something to say and how to passionately tell my story so every member of the audience listens,” he said. “She also believed in my authentic style.” And that authenticity, in the end, may be the foundation of discovering what you love and what you’re good at. Todd’s advice to others: “Stay authentic to yourself, embrace diversity in your relationships, and never be deterred by the ‘shiny’ things that take you further away from your passion.”
B U S I N E S S .W F U. E D U
Pro Humanitate Brings Compassion to Career It’s a gift to discover your passion early in life. But as Matthew Teller (BS ’14) found, getting the tools you need to turn that interest into a career takes the help of talented mentors. “I was very focused on obtaining a strong liberal arts education coupled with a competitive undergraduate business degree,” said Teller, “and when I visited Wake Forest, it felt like the perfect fit for me.” That fit had a lot to do with the faculty. “My School of Business professors were critical in helping me turn my passion for finance into a career path,” Teller said. “They helped me navigate the early stages of my finance curriculum, and were extremely supportive as I progressed through my investment banking interview process.”
own path. While a member of the Finance Club, he took part in the Wake on Wall Street trip. “I had the chance to meet with alumni who ultimately served as ambassadors for me as I went through the interview process at different banks across the Street,” he said. Teller has worked as an investment banking analyst with Barclays in New York, and now is an investment professional with private equity firm Kelso & Company. His career has allowed him to pursue his interest in finance, and bring to it a quality that he cultivated at Wake Forest: compassion.
Wake Forest eases the transition from classroom to corporation by opening doors to internships and other practical experience. Teller urges incoming students to take advantage of those opportunities. “I think it is critical to get both internships and as much experience as possible to help shape the early stages of your career. This provides an opportunity for you to better understand what you are and, more importantly, what you are not interested in,” he said.
“One of the lessons I learned on campus that I carry forward with me each day is the value of caring for and respecting others. This goes a very long way even in the most competitive of environments,” Teller said. “My second piece of advice is to take advantage of the Wake “I try to do the right thing Forest network in whatever industry or field you are interested every day and I believe in pursuing. Wake Forest alumni are truly passionate about the people respect that, and student body, and they want to give back.” respect me as a young leader for having that Teller found Wake Forest alumni to be helpful as he forged his mindset.”
A L U M N I
in Action
M A T T H E W
T E L L E R
2018
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2019
BS ’14
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