In our alumni spotlight series, learn about Harvard graduates' most meaningful experiences from college, and how Harvard impacted their professional and personal paths after graduation.
Hometown & Current City: Northbrook, Illinois; Seoul, South Korea
House Affiliation: Leverett
Concentration and Secondary Field: Economics
Current Job Title/Company or organization: Executive Director, Alchemist Capital Partners
What was your professional path after college? Investment Banking, Management Consulting, Technology Entrepreneurship, and Private Equity
What fills your time now? Professionally and otherwise? I am currently a private equity investor and am seeking attractive companies in which to invest in South Korea. I also serve as a member of the board of directors of one of my firm's portfolio companies. Personally, I love reading books and to play baseball, basketball, soccer, and golf with my 11-year old son Trevor! I am a native of the Chicago area and am an avid fan of the Harvard Crimson, Stanford Cardinal, Chicago Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, Bulls, Sky, Fire, and Red Stars. I am a member of the board of directors and Vice President of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Alumni Association.
How did your academic experience at Harvard guide you in your post-grad pursuits? I was an economics concentrator and Harvard taught me how to think analytically and analyze economic systems and markets. I wrote my senior honors thesis about international equity diversification of investments. Harvard gave me the foundation of knowledge to work in investment banking, get an MBA from Stanford and transition to private equity.
What was a favorite class you took and why? EC 10 (Department of Economics) microeconomics and macroeconomics because it introduced me to the world of economics and learning how markets and systems can allocate scarce resources and the class converted me from a Chemistry concentrator to an Economics concentrator!
Did you have any research/internship opportunities and/or professor/mentor relationships that were influential? Carla Harris AB '84, MBA '87 recruited me to join Morgan Stanley after Harvard and she has been a fabulous mentor to me. She is currently Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Morgan Stanley.
What were you involved in extracurricularly? Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association; Sports Reporter for the Harvard Independent; Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus; Harvard Korean Students Association; Harvard Legal Advocates.
How did your extracurricular activities impact your Harvard experience? And have they had an impact on your post-grad life? Extracurricular activities at Harvard gave me opportunities to meet wonderful people and make lifelong friendships! Also, singing in the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus gave me confidence to perform on a stage, something I never did before Harvard! Writing for the Harvard Independent also made me a better writer.
What is a favorite memory of Harvard House life? The Leverett House formals! So fun! I loved going with my friends and having a fabulous time all dressed up!
What is your favorite Harvard tradition and why? Commencement. The sense of accomplishment when graduating from Harvard is so sweet! Also, the pomp and circumstance of Harvard's commencement is unmatched!
What advice do you have for someone applying to college? Imagine yourself as a student at the colleges you would like to attend. Go to the websites of the colleges and research what courses are available. Pick 2 or 3 classes that you would like to take and learn about the professors that teach them. Go to the list of extracurricular activities available and choose 2 or 3 you would like to join. Going through this exercise will allow you to learn how you can be a great fit at that college as a student.