Xander Kessler

University of Wisconsin – Madison (Wisconsin School of Business)

“I’m someone who loves helping others, learning, and having a good time.”

Hometown: Fort Atkinson, WI

Fun fact about yourself: I can speak three languages (German, Flemish, and English) because my family immigrated to the United States from Germany when I was very young.

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Wisconsin – Madison, Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (2020)

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Researcher at the Institute for Molecular Virology (UW-Madison)

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Pfizer, New York City, New York

Where will you be working after graduation? Finance Rotational Manager at Pfizer

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: Treasurer for Graduate Business Association (GBA), Vice President for Graduate Finance Organization (GFO), Together Forward Merit Scholarship, MBA Ambassador for prospective students. 

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school?) During my time on the Graduate Business Association (GBA) executive board, I was deeply involved in efforts to foster a more inclusive graduate business experience. As an MBA student myself, I understand the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all. I’m particularly proud of two key initiatives:

1. Advocating for the addition of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) chair to the GBA board. This dedicated role ensures DEI remains a central focus within the program, fostering initiatives and events that benefit all members.

2. Planning and implementing more inclusive events. This involved actively soliciting diverse perspectives, ensuring events catered to a broader range of interests and backgrounds, and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all.

I am grateful for the leadership of Amanda Moran (GBA President), who championed this initiative, and the tireless efforts of Shanae Doerr (GBA DEI Chair), who set the bar high and exceeded expectations. I also want to recognize the contributions of the entire GBA board for their commitment to creating a more inclusive environment. I am proud to have played a role in making the Wisconsin School of Business a more welcoming and enriching place for all graduate business students.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Driven by my passion for health and medicine, coupled with my desire to make an impact, my proudest achievement (so far) has been co-developing nine monoclonal antibodies that target an important protein found in the lungs. They are the first of their kind and I will receive royalties from them. They unlock the potential for new scientific understanding and will enable the development of therapeutics targeting this protein. This achievement embodies the Wisconsin Idea – applying research to improve the lives of all citizens – which deeply resonates with me. This philosophy aligns perfectly with Pfizer’s mission to make breakthroughs that change patients’ lives, making me thrilled to continue this journey with them.

Why did you choose this business school? As a career changer with a non-business background – but with a desire to pursue a finance career – I knew I needed an edge to compete for finance roles. Recognizing this, I was particularly attracted to the specialization structure at the Wisconsin School of Business’ MBA program. By specializing in Corporate Finance and Investment Banking (CFIB), I gained the focused knowledge and practical skills that were instrumental in landing finance roles. These learnings played a vital role in securing internships and ultimately landing a full-time offer at Pfizer’s finance leadership development program.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during my MBA is Brad Chandler’s M&A class. It is rare that one gets to learn from someone who has done M&A at the level he has. Brad is a former managing director at Morgan Stanley and has successfully executed over 55 transactions representing over $225 billion in transaction value. What sparks my passion for this course is the unique blend of strategic thinking and financial analysis inherent in M&A transactions. This class perfectly aligns with my own interests, allowing me to delve into the complexities of deal-making with the guidance of a seasoned practitioner.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? (My favorite event at the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) is the Spring Ball, an exciting celebration organized by the Graduate Business Association (GBA). Last year’s casino night theme offered exciting experiences, including gambling tables with raffle tickets for prizes, a silent auction, a lively photo booth, a DJ-fueled dance floor, and delicious food. This event provided prospective students with a valuable glimpse into the program’s culture of camaraderie, a key factor that drew me to the WSB. The Spring Ball fostered connections among current students, strengthening the sense of community within the MBA program. I believe this event embodies the school’s commitment to enriching the student experience by recognizing the importance of lifelong connections and their potential impact on future careers. I was fortunate to be involved in both the planning and execution of the Spring Ball, further deepening my appreciation for the collaborative spirit at the WSB.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? This is a difficult question because my MBA experience at Wisconsin has been a truly rewarding experience. I learned a lot, established important connections, made new friends, and achieved my goal of launching my career in the industry I desired. However, if I were to give my former self advice, I would tell myself not to overstress the little things and to set aside more time for social events like the Thursday After Professional Studies (TAPS) events. TAPS is a weekly happy hour event in which students discover new places around Madison and get to know people within the program. Fortunately, I realized this before the end of my program and have prioritized spending time with my peers before we go our separate ways in our careers.

What is the biggest myth about your school? (and how was it the same or different than what you experienced) One common misconception about the specialization structure at Wisconsin’s MBA program is that it creates silos between students. My experience paints a different picture. All students share the foundational core courses, allowing for daily interaction and building a strong cohort identity, especially in the first year. This collaborative environment transcends specialization boundaries, which is especially important since Wisconsin’s MBA program is a smaller, more intimate program.

A prime example: I connected with Pfizer through my fellow MBA peer Ibrahim Abubakar, who specializes in marketing and will also be joining Pfizer full-time. I will forever be grateful to Ibrahim for being a fantastic friend (and roommate). This demonstrates how professional opportunities can arise through diverse networks within the program and the school’s culture of supporting one another. Additionally, my active involvement with the Risk Management and Insurance program allowed me to receive invaluable support from faculty like Joan Schmit and Jim Swanke, showcasing the MBA program’s commitment to collective support. This is all in addition to the primary support I have received from Barb Bolens, Brad Chandler, and the Corporate Finance and Investment Banking (CFIB) center.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Growing up in Wisconsin and having spent my undergraduate and MBA years at UW-Madison, it’s no surprise that I’ve become a die-hard Wisconsin Badgers fan. My favorite thing about Madison is the atmosphere on a football game day, which is filled with excitement and camaraderie.

What surprised you the most about business school? One aspect of my Wisconsin MBA experience that truly exceeded my expectations is the alumni network’s dedication to the Wisconsin Idea and their unwavering support for current students. This network’s reach spans across countless companies, and the willingness of alumni to go above-and-beyond for fellow Badgers is truly remarkable. This underappreciated resource proves invaluable, offering connections and opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Selecting a single classmate who stands out is incredibly difficult, as our program boasts many talented and inspiring individuals. However, Hector Aviles consistently comes to mind for his exceptional contributions. From the very beginning, Hector has embodied the spirit of collaboration and support. He proactively offers help to fellow classmates with internships, job searches, and even connecting them with relevant individuals in his network. His initiative in establishing an outreach program for incoming CFIB students demonstrates his genuine desire to ensure everyone’s success. Beyond his helpfulness, Hector’s dedication and work ethic are truly remarkable. His military background shines through in his unwavering commitment and drive. He inspires by overcoming challenges and “pulling himself up by his bootstraps,” which is something I greatly admire. Hector’s positive impact extends far beyond our program and his contributions will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset to the Wisconsin alumni network as he embodies the Wisconsin Idea. I am personally grateful to have him as a classmate.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? My first professional goal is to drive significant impact by leading a strategic initiative that delivers tangible benefits to the company. My second goal is to cultivate future leaders and become a recognized mentor who fosters the development of others. This goal is particularly important to me because I have received significant value from mentorship, which I hope to pay forward to others.

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

“Xander Kessler has distinguished himself in the Wisconsin School of Business Class of 2024 in many ways. Xander is one of those rare individuals who excels in academics and engages in student leadership responsibilities, both at an extremely high level. Coming in as a life sciences professional, finance was new to him. In his MBA courses, he has consistently been a top achiever from an academic perspective and has performed well in all his classes.  While many Poets & Quants nominees achieve high grades, what has distinguished Xander is his ability to achieve excellence in the classroom at the same time as being an officer in two student organizations, holding a teaching assistant for an undergraduate finance class, working part-time as a highly regarded business development intern at a biotech startup, and being a trusted teammate always willing to go the extra mile to get a project done for his team. Xander does all of this with grace, humility and respect for his classmates, teaching professionals, and others he meets. He is exceedingly kind and willing to provide mentorship to classmates. He is thoughtful in his approach and brings a refreshing level of modesty to bear on his interactions with others. His learner mindset fosters and models terrific leadership skills.

At the Wisconsin School of Business, we live by and are committed to the Wisconsin Idea which is the principle that the university’s work should improve people’s lives beyond the classroom, impacting people across the state, nation and the world. Xander has already made an impact on the lives of many through his work prior to coming to the MBA program where he helped co-develop nine monoclonal antibodies that target an important protein found in the lungs and that are the first of their kind. They unlock the potential for new scientific understanding and will enable the development of therapeutics targeting this protein.

From an early age, Xander understood that the world is much bigger than the community in which he grew up in Wisconsin. Xander’s parents emigrated to the US from Germany when he was a young child and speaks three languages fluently. His extended family still lives in Europe and this early experience certainly has had an impact on his life, his view of where home and family are and his firsthand understanding of cultures beyond the United States.

Xander’s background in biochemistry combined with his well-honed finance acumen, led him to accept an internship offer last summer at Pfizer. Not surprisingly, he excelled there and successfully completed the internship and shortly thereafter received a coveted return offer to enter Pfizer’s Management Trainee rotational program where he will start in July.

Xander is truly an exceptional student and person we know we go on to do great things in his life.”

Barb Bolens
Director, Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024