Ahead of Veteran’s Day next week, NYU Stern MBA Class of 2020 alumnus, Beau Gresham, reflects on the impact of the Fertitta Veterans MBA Program, which is designed to support veterans in their transition to business school. NYU Stern welcomed its 10th Fertitta Veterans cohort to campus this fall and Beau shares the lasting influence of the program’s offerings.
Finding Your Next Tribe: Why NYU Stern’s Fertitta Veterans MBA Program is a Lifeline for Transitioning Veterans
By Beau Gresham (MBA ‘20), Director, Mastercard
Next year marks a decade since I hung up my uniform and entered the civilian workforce. Looking back, I can honestly say I would never be where I am today without the opportunities that came from my NYU Stern MBA and the Fertitta Veterans MBA Program.
My Career in the Army
My path started at the University of South Florida, where I commissioned as an Army Infantry Officer. Leading America’s bravest sons and daughters was my absolute passion. Over an eight-year career, I deployed to Iraq as a Platoon Leader for 40 soldiers, Afghanistan as an Executive Officer for 100, and finally commanded 135 soldiers in Afghanistan. While I loved the mission, I knew it was time for a new chapter. Law school crossed my mind, but after late-night coffee chats with fellow veterans, I chose the MBA route. It was the best decision I ever made.
Why I chose NYU Stern for my MBA
When evaluating schools, I wanted high-caliber people in a major city. NYU Stern won me over instantly, partly because of its vibrant downtown Manhattan location, but largely because of the NYU Stern Fertitta Veterans MBA Program, which was just getting started.
For veterans, transitioning from military hierarchy to civilian networking can cause serious whiplash. One day you’re managing tactical operations, the next you’re staring at a business casual wardrobe wondering if “lavender” is an authorized color.
The Fertitta program eases this transition by bringing a cohort of veterans to campus two months before fall semester starts. We bonded over late-night accounting study sessions, early morning statistics exams, and the occasional happy hour. Every Friday, the program organized corporate treks around the city. I still remember the culture shock of walking into a large tech company’s office, feeling the electric buzz of an environment that didn’t require a uniform.
By fall, I had a massive head start. I knew the campus geography, had a tight-knit network, and already knocked out two core classes. This allowed me to laser-focus on my top priority: management consulting. I read the case books, watched over-the-shoulder lectures, and even won the annual Startup Case Competition, ultimately securing an M&A internship with Deloitte. As a second-year student, my mission shifted to paying it forward. I practically lived in the study rooms and proudly earned the unofficial title of “Most Mock Interviews Conducted” for the incoming class.
The Power of the Stern Alumni Network
I returned to Deloitte as a Senior Consultant in their M&A practice, leading integration and divestiture strategies for global banks. After three years in consulting, looking for a pivot into fintech, I ran the classic veteran play. I called a fellow Army vet and Stern alumnus. That conversation led me to Mastercard, where I now lead product sales and business development. In this role, I work closely with some of the largest and most recognized digital customers, fintechs, and marketplaces in the world to transform global money movement. My responsibilities have taken me from our NYC Tech Hub to London and Lisbon. Trust me, business trips to Europe hit very differently than military deployments to the Middle East, a profound contrast that still humbles me.
Today, I stay deeply connected to the Stern tribe, recently wrapping up a three-year term on the NYU Stern Alumni Council. My favorite annual tradition is paying it forward to the new summer cohorts, hosting the Fertitta class visit to Mastercard’s Tech Hub, located just a short walk from Stern’s campus.
The civilian transition is a massive leap. But if you are a veteran considering business school, take the shot. With a world-class education and the Fertitta network at your back, you won’t just land on your feet, you’ll hit the ground running.
