“An Obligation to Make Booth Stronger”: How One Alumnus Re-Ignited His Connection to Chicago Booth

For Adam Peach, MBA ’07, Chicago Booth was the only choice when it came to business school.

“When I first started working, I had a dream to go to Booth given the school’s history with finance and economics and its philosophies about markets. It’s really the only school I wanted to go to,” he says.

Now, nearly 20 years since the Singapore-based alumnus graduated, he remembers his time at Booth fondly, both for the world-class business education he received and the lasting relationships he formed during his time in the Weekend MBA Program.

“I met my wife, Sheng Liu, MBA ’06, and some lifelong friends [at Booth],” Peach explains. “Regardless of where I am, we’re always in touch.”

Having built a career in the hedge fund industry and made some successful private investments over the past two decades, Peach has made a commitment to give back to the school that has given him so much, and he’s eager to encourage other alumni to do the same.

Re-Engaging with Booth

When he first graduated from Booth, Peach focused on building his career, working his way up from analyst to portfolio manager. Though Peach always appreciated his Booth education and made regular gifts to the Chicago Booth Annual Fund during this time, he was not actively engaged with the school.

That all changed a couple years ago, when Peach, curious about which professors were still teaching at Booth, decided to look at courses being offered for the upcoming term. Seeing that there were remote options open to alumni, Peach enrolled in his first post-grad course in spring of 2024, taking advantage of Booth’s Post-Grad 3 benefit, which allows alumni to take up to 300 course units of MBA classes tuition-free after earning their degree.

“The courses are just as intriguing as they were 20 years ago. It’s just as exciting to log on every week and spend three hours learning. It’s a great way to challenge your mind and stay up to date with current topics,” Peach says.

Peach is on his third post-grad course, which he will complete this month. He has also taken a non-credit alumni course, Perspectives on Capitalism, taught by Rob Gertner, the Frank P. and Marianne R. Diassi Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Strategy and John Edwardson Faculty Director at the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation. The course is supported by a “Back to Booth” gift from Fred G. Steingraber, MBA ’64, and Kearney, which provides important lifelong learning opportunities for Booth alumni.

Becoming an Alumni Volunteer

After being reinvigorated by the courses and reminded of positive memories from his time at Booth, Peach realized there was more he could do to stay involved with the school.

In July 2025, Peach began volunteering with the Chicago Booth: Singapore Alumni community, helping support the numerous events the group puts on throughout the year. Peach has relished the experience for its social perks and lifelong learning value.

“It’s enjoyable to meet other alumni who are doing great things, whether it’s talking with industry experts or seeing the creativity or risk-taking of people who are starting, running, and selling businesses. Even just the energy of the younger students who recently graduated or are still in school [is invigorating],” Peach says.

Peach says the fact that he is a volunteer working to make these events come together increases his enjoyment.

“It’s more fun when you’re one of the people who is helping make these events happen and seeing that they’re successful. You know that your time is going toward something that is benefiting a wide range of people,” Peach says.

In addition to supporting their alumni community, Peach and his wife are also serving on the reunion committees for their respective 20th class reunions, in 2026 and 2027.

Beyond connecting with fellow alumni, attending events has allowed Peach to keep up with emerging topics in business. For example, Peach started reading about stablecoins earlier this year, and his interest was further piqued by a guest speaker in one of his post-grad MBA courses. Peach deepened his knowledge of the topic during an alumni event in Singapore that featured discussions with industry experts in cryptocurrency, and he further explored stablecoins by attending a recent fireside chat in Hong Kong with Randall S. Kroszner, the Norman R. Bobins Professor of Economics.

Spreading Generosity

The positive experiences Peach and Liu have enjoyed as alumni inspired them to increase their giving to the Annual Fund, for which they were recognized as Dean’s Society Rosenwald Fellows in 2025-26.

“Adam’s and Sheng’s reconnecting with Booth exemplifies the type of lifelong relationship the school hopes to create with all alumni and students,” said Madhav Rajan, dean and George Shultz Professor of Accounting, Chicago Booth; Global Strategist, University of Chicago. “They have used their world-class business education to create personal and professional success and are now continuing a virtuous cycle by giving back to the institution. Annual Fund support like theirs bolsters Booth’s strengths in education and research, and helps maintain the school’s status as a leader in global business education.”

Peach is excited that his giving contributes to new developments and innovations at the school.

“It’s amazing to see how [Booth has] grown, even since I was a student 20 years ago,” Peach says. “The core MBA programs are still top notch and highly respected. Some of the things like the Rustandy Center, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Family Office Initiative—it’s exciting to read about them and see what opportunities the current students have. It’s cool to be associated with that.”

Looking Toward the Future

Peach plans to increase his involvement in his alumni community and to continue supporting Booth through philanthropy.

“I just want to do what I can do to make it an attractive place for the faculty and students in the years ahead,” Peach says.

He encourages his fellow alumni to support the school in any way they are able.

“Whether you have just graduated or have been away for a while, just try getting involved with your local alumni community,” Peach says. “You’ll meet a wide range of people who are doing exceptional things in all aspects of life, and I’m sure you can learn something and benefit from those experiences. Regardless of what your background is, I’m sure you can contribute as well.”

“Think of all your favorite Booth memories and how you benefited from the school,” he continues. “To me, it’s an honor to have studied at Chicago Booth, and I think we all have an obligation to make the school stronger for the next cohort and for the generations to come.”

Connect with fellow alumni and learn more about local events on Chicago Booth Connect.

Support the Booth Annual Fund by making a gift online.