David B. Ritter

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Intense New Yorker enthralled by learning, bagels, and jokes.”

Hometown: New York City, NY

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a huge rugby fan! I started playing D1-A rugby during undergrad and played abroad in Ireland.

Undergraduate School and Major: 

University at Buffalo, B.S. Aerospace Engineering; B.S. Mechanical Engineering; B.A. Math

Georgia Tech, M.S. Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Pratt & Whitney, Deputy Module Chief Engineer

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? Growing up in NYC was a master class in diversity, rich interactions, and hustling; I’m moving home to be back in the action. The proximity to the financial hub of the world and ability to leverage a tight local network is a huge resource while at Stern and after.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Stern’s emphasis on EQ is embedded in the application process, interactions with alumni, and curriculum. I think life, as well as business, is about connecting with people, so I wanted to be in an environment where people are introspective and collaborative.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern?  I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with Stern Women in Business. I have always tried to be a vocal ally for women in engineering and am looking to continue supporting my peers while at Stern.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? EQ is the understanding that how you interact with people dictates what the outcome is, and, as with any skill, it needs to be continuously improved. I was able to significantly improve outcomes and increase my ability to make an impact in industry once I focused on connecting deeply with my coworkers and customers.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Last year, I was given the opportunity to lead a high-caliber engineering team on a development jet engine program. I have learned so much in that time about large team leadership and, through that, myself.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? As an engineer, I love solving nuanced problems to promote innovation and growth. I’m excited to explore Investment Banking since I see a lot of similarities in helping firms progress through transactions.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? Don’t overthink it. The application is straightforward and allows your skills and personality to shine.

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2025