How the Milestone Match Helped Three Chicago Booth Alumni Maximize Their Impact

What are some of your favorite Booth memories?

“I’m going to cheat and call out being a LEAD facilitator as one memory even though it spanned over a year of my time. I spent countless hours forming close bonds with my fellow facils while also learning key lessons that I use more in my career than pretty much any other lessons I learned in class. Plus, I met my partner, Lauren Dawson, MBA ’16, at the Omega Alpha dinner, so that had a high ROI too.

“I also loved writing for Follies.* I found it a great encapsulation of the Booth experience. I was working with some incredibly smart people writing skits and jokes that often touched on some obscure or academic material that would really only work for a Booth crowd.”

*Follies is a variety show written and performed by Booth students each year. This entertaining event includes skits, musical numbers, scripted videos, and more.

What inspired you to make a five-year Milestone Match pledge?

“My two years at Booth were some of the most impactful and fun of my life, so I like being able to pay it forward (one of my favorite parts of Booth culture) to enable future generations of Boothies to have a similar experience. The five-year pledge is a great way to maximize impact.”

What other ways have you engaged with Booth since graduation?

“I like to do interviews for Booth here in Seattle. I find it's a great way to connect with the next class and keep giving back. I’ve also participated in intern events with Boothies who are in town for the summer to help them get a feel for life after graduation.”

What would you say to fellow alumni considering making a Milestone Match pledge?

“It’s the best way to make your giving dollars go further, and it helps make it possible for future Boothies to have a great experience like we did.”

What inspired you to make a five-year Milestone Match pledge to Chicago Booth?

“I want to be an ongoing donor to the school and stay connected. One of the things I did a long time ago was set up a donor-advised fund. This has allowed me to commit more money to charity in years when my earnings were high, but also to commit consistent amounts to each of my charities on an ongoing basis, even in bad years. I can also schedule recurring donations to my charities annually so I don't miss a year.”

What are some of your favorite memories from Booth?

“The professors at Booth have always been amazing and incredibly insightful. I learned so much that has been valuable to me in my career. Most memorable were George Stigler’s economics class and Sidney Davidson’s accounting bootcamp. Even though I went into marketing, there were tools I got from my Booth education that no one else from the other schools had.

“I was the first marketing manager at the Clorox Company to develop regression models to evaluate the impact of pricing on sales. Later in my career, I launched GameChanger, a research company that tested new products in store, and we utilized a new analytic approach with regression models to evaluate the impact of different shelf placements, prices, and marketing on results in test versus control stores.”

What guides your philanthropic decision-making more broadly?

“I want to give to worthy causes and organizations that helped me. I paid for my Booth education entirely on my own, mostly through borrowing, with interest rates in the mid-80s at 12 to 18 percent. That was a crazy time to have to borrow money.

“I was fortunate that the Brunswick Corporation gave me a scholarship while I was there, which helped lessen the burden. I had never worked for Brunswick, I knew nobody there, and they never required anything else of me. I just got the money through Booth without even applying. It was a nice, unexpected gift. Now I want to give back to Booth, so they can take care of others who need it.”

What would you say to fellow alumni considering a Milestone Match pledge this year?

“Don’t overthink it. Just do it. It’s a worthy cause.”

What inspired you to make a five-year pledge to Chicago Booth during your recent milestone reunion?

“I am a strong believer in Chicago Booth due to its world-class education. Booth fostered an environment that encouraged me to focus on my studies. The rigorous curriculum, combined with a collaborative atmosphere, motivated me to dedicate time and energy to my academic pursuits. This discipline and drive have stayed with me, shaping my approach to learning and professional development. The analytical skills and technical knowledge I gained have been invaluable in my career, providing a solid foundation for making informed financial decisions.”

What do you enjoy most about Reconnect? 

“One of the true highlights of Reconnect at Booth is the chance to engage with top-notch alumni from around the world. Interacting with such accomplished individuals offers not only inspiration but also the opportunity to learn from their remarkable stories of success. These conversations have taught me valuable lessons that extend well beyond the classroom.

“But Reconnect isn’t just about professional growth. It’s also about enjoying the moment. Whether it’s through lively discussions, collaborative workshops, or informal social gatherings, I always find myself having fun while learning something new. The blend of camaraderie and intellectual curiosity at Booth continues to enrich my personal and professional journey.”

What guides your philanthropic decision-making more broadly?

“My philanthropic journey is guided by a deep commitment to empowering college students, especially those facing financial barriers to education. Having witnessed the challenges faced by students from Asia and other regions who come to study in this country, I am especially motivated to help international students navigate their career paths.

“Ultimately, my philanthropic decisions stem from a desire to have a positive impact on society as a whole.”

What would you say to fellow Booth alumni who are considering making a Milestone Match reunion pledge this year?

“Let us unite in support of Booth’s mission, uplifting students and stewarding the institution that has given us so much. Your Milestone Match reunion pledge is more than a gift—it’s an enduring investment in excellence and opportunity for all.”

Are you celebrating a milestone reunion this year? Register for Reconnect, taking place April 30–May 2 in Chicago, and learn more about the Milestone Match Challenge. You can also help create a lasting impact with your class—whether your reunion milestone is next year or in future years—by filling out this brief form to learn more about getting involved.