Billy Lange Hewlett         

Fordham University, Gabelli School of Business

“Intellectually curious Englishman, looking to effect positive change through ESG/ Sustainable finance.”

Hometown: London, United Kingdom

Fun Fact About Yourself: Can eat most apples in two bites (this was before I came to the US and discovered the Honeycrisp)

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Manchester, PPE (Politics, Philosophy & Economics)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Goldman Sachs, Senior Compliance Analyst (Global Markets)

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the school’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? It was Fordham’s emphasis on business with purpose. As an aspiring ESG/ Impact investor, this mantra is extremely important to me. The school’s Jesuit foundations show in its teaching and application of business. Business is more than just maximizing profits… It is about maximizing all stakeholder value and looking to make the world a better place.  Fordham is leading the way in terms of its teaching and focus on sustainability (across all industries). For me, that was a huge factor in me choosing to study here.

What has surprised you the most about the Gabelli MBA program? It was the school’s ability to be able to adapt during COVID. When faced with uncertain times and remote learning environments, the program has made sure that we, as a cohort, are still connected and learning effectively. I was genuinely surprised to see first-hand the effort and care that the course administrators and lectures were putting in to make the semester work as effectively as possible. Given the challenge they faced, they undoubtedly succeeded in my eyes.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Smart, driven, and intellectually curious (I’m choosing three!). Being in a cohort of smart and intellectually curious people is so important. The people who are on your program are the ones who you will be surrounded by for two years. You’d be naive to think this doesn’t have an impact on your progression as an individual. In business school, you want to make sure that you have surrounded yourself with people who will be raising your own standards over those two years. I find intellectual curiosity imperative; asking “why” one more time than the next person creates an environment where the true fundamental issues are discussed and where they are solved.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment in my career so far was my promotion to Senior Analyst at Goldman Sachs. It enabled me to be able to better reflect on the progress I had made. Having entered as an Analyst in 2017, my knowledge deficit was, as expected, huge. I had walked onto a trading floor and it was a harsh awakening to my lack of knowledge. I was surrounded by industry experts at the top of their game and I needed to make up the deficit as quickly as possible. This promotion was one indication that I had somewhat succeeded in doing that. The support and guidance of my immediate management also made it possible… It was also the first time I truly realized the importance of proper management and mentorship is for junior hires. Having someone in your corner to guide you through a corporation and who will sing your praises to their management is vital.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I have only been on the program for four months, so I hope there will be more accomplishments to come. In that 4 months, I am very proud to be able to say I’m a board member for the Net Impact Society. The society looks to make a positive impact on societies, both local and in the wider NYC communities, through education, volunteering, and networking events (to name a few).

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? My time at Goldman was intellectually stimulating and has given me a foundation that I could have only dreamed of. As a markets advisory compliance officer, you have the experience of the trading floor and the energy which is great. However, you aren’t the one making the investment decisions or managing client relationships. This was something I had felt suited my analytic rational thought process, but also my ability you be able to communicate effectively. I had little experience in this area and hence decided to pursue and MBA concentrating in Finance. Not only did I want to refine my finance skills, but also specialize in sustainable investments. As a result, I selected a secondary concertation in Global Sustainability.

What was your defining moment and how did it prepare you for business school? After a year-long battle with cancer, my father passed away in 2017. This was undoubtedly a life-changing and defining moment. I was 21 at the time and in my final year of university. The one positive to have come from it is that it has somewhat changed my view on the world. The idea that life is too short to have a career and not be truly passionate about what you are doing really resonates with me. It’s a huge reason I decided to pursue the MBA and kickstart my career in ESG investing and creating businesses with purpose.

DON’T MISS: Meet Fordham Gabelli’s MBA Class of 2022