Thomas Hutton

Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University

“I am a kid from Staten Island working to build a better New York City.”

Hometown: Staten Island, New York

Fun fact about yourself: I got married to the love of my life two days before my first MBA midterm.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Hunter College. BA in Political Science and Environmental Studies. Certificate in Public Policy

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)

Project Manager, Division of Special Needs Housing

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023?  The Related Companies, New York

Where will you be working after graduation?  The Related Companies, Real Estate Development Associate

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

Dean’s Scholar – Full-tuition Merit Scholarship

President, Fordham Real Estate Club

Student Representative

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of the performance of the academic team that I formed with my classmates Basu Parsar and Deirdre Ely. Throughout the program, we worked on group projects ranging from completing financial problem sets to creating strategic consulting pitch decks. I am proud of the trust and spirit of collaboration we created that allowed us to put forward our best work.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of the work I did at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, where I financed the construction of hundreds of units of affordable housing for formerly homeless households with special needs. In a city like New York, where finding affordable housing is difficult for most, it is critical that the city put resources behind housing its most vulnerable populations.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose the Fordham Gabelli School of Business because it offered me a high-quality education in my hometown at a price that could not be beat. By winning the Dean’s Scholarship, I was able to go to school tuition-free, all but guaranteeing that my education would have a strong return on investment. I am so appreciative of Fordham’s Board of Trustees for making this opportunity possible.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor was Serge Reda, who taught “Real Estate Capital Markets.” Inside the classroom, Serge distilled the complexities of commercial mortgage-backed securities and Real Estate Investment Trusts into digestible lectures and assignments, greatly improving my understanding of the capital markets. Outside the classroom, Serge took a genuine interest in my career goals and took the time to advise me on my future path.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite event was the Global Immersion Experience we had in Lisbon, Portugal. Beyond the academic programming, it was a great opportunity to spend quality time with the people I had been studying with for months. Given that Fordham’s full-time MBA class is made up of only 60 individuals, spending this time together reminded me of how lucky we are to be able to build such strong relationships within this tight-knit group of people.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I was going through this experience again, I would remind myself to trust the process. It is easy to let the stress of the unknown overwhelm you while you are waiting to hear back about an internship or a full-time offer letter. In the end, there really are no bad outcomes when you choose to prioritize in your education.

What is the biggest myth about your school? As a Jesuit University, Fordham touts an ethos of “Business with Purpose.” I believe that the School follows through on that promise. Our class was able to dive immediately into the growing field of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) reporting during Gabelli Launch, a multi-week immersion program carried out in the weeks before our first semester. This included a trip to London, where we met with companies such as Bloomberg to learn how they are incorporating ESG goals into their businesses. We came to understand some key challenges in ESG reporting and how we might work to advance this nascent movement as we take on more responsibility in the workplace.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? As a lifelong New Yorker, I loved being able to rely upon my existing professional network to enhance my MBA experience. My contacts graciously connected me and some of my classmates to new and exciting opportunities, such as internships and other programming. As the president of the Fordham Real Estate Club, I coordinated with my employer, the Related Companies, to set up a tour of the iconic Hudson Yards development. I also love that many of my classmates studied in New York because they want to work in New York, so we will continue to benefit from the network we formed here.

What surprised you the most about business school? Although I was expecting to develop skills and knowledge that would advance my professional career, I am struck by how much my MBA education has enhanced my understanding of the broader economic landscape. Developing a command of some basic financial concepts has had a profound impact on my ability to interpret the impact of many phenomena we are facing today, from the impacts of sticky inflation to rising interest rates.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire the most is Mike Presendieu. In addition to his insightful and compelling contributions to in-class discussions, Mike’s actions outside the classroom are even more compelling. He has an innate ability to connect with people, in large part because of him being comfortable in his own skin, which inspires people to be comfortable in theirs. His kind and inclusive attitude allows him to develop deep and meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Most immediately, I would like to take a new construction real estate project from inception, to financing, through construction and lease-up. As I begin my career on the developer side of the deal, I will have my first opportunities to take projects from start to finish and learn lessons from my mistakes and successes along the way.

2. In the long term, I would like to develop a better understanding of the public policies and real estate development practices. This will ensure that cities like New York remain prosperous and provide affordable and safe housing options to all the people that make up our communities.

What made Tom such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Throughout his time in our MBA program, Tom has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, exemplary leadership skills, and a deep commitment to both his peers and the broader community.

As a top scholar, Tom’s dedication to academic excellence has been evident in his outstanding performance in the classroom. His ability to grasp complex concepts and his commitment to mastering them have set him apart as a standout student within our program.

Moreover, Tom’s leadership extends far beyond the academic realm. His active involvement as president of the Fordham Real Estate Club showcases his ability to effectively lead and inspire others. Under his guidance, the club flourished, providing valuable opportunities for students to engage with real-world industry professionals and further their understanding of the field. For the club’s most highly attended event, Tom coordinated a site tour of the Hudson Yards, where students learned about one of New York’s most iconic real estate projects from the staff of the Related Companies that brought it to fruition.

In addition to his role within the Real Estate Club, Tom has also served as a dedicated class representative, tirelessly advocating for the needs of his peers and championing positive changes within our MBA community. His efforts as a liaison between the student body and the administration have been invaluable, leading to meaningful enhancements that benefit both current and future students.

Furthermore, Tom’s commitment to serving his community and society at large is truly commendable. His willingness to mentor and provide guidance to first-year students on career search strategies highlights his selflessness and desire to see others succeed. This dedication to the betterment of his peers exemplifies the values we aim to instill in all of our graduates.

Tom exemplifies Fordham’s mantra “Business with Purpose”. Prior to beginning his MBA, he started his career financing transitional and permanent housing for homeless New Yorkers, first at nonprofit Women in Need and then at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Now, as he transitions to the for-profit developer side of the industry, he is still working to advance housing affordability for people at all income levels. He was recruited by the Related Companies to help them complete the Willets Point development project in Queens, which will deliver 2,500 units of mixed income housing serving households ranging from 30% to 120% of the area’s median income. The housing will be complemented by ground floor retail, new public open space, a 650-seat school, a hotel, and a soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club. Tom’s work on housing affordability in the government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors demonstrates that solving complex issues like this one requires innovative solutions that utilize all the tools in our toolbox.

Lastly, Tom’s success in securing a full-time job offer with Related Companies following his internship speaks volumes about his determination, work ethic, and the caliber of his professional skills. His achievement serves as a testament to his ability to translate classroom learning into real-world success.

In conclusion, Tom’s exceptional academic performance, leadership abilities, commitment to service, and professional achievements make him an outstanding candidate for the Best and Brightest Award. He embodies the ideals of our MBA program and serves as a shining example of the impact our students can have both within our school community and beyond.”

Alex B. Markle
Associate Professor, Strategy and Statistics
Full-Time MBA Program Director
Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University

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