Kennedy Graves

University of Rochester, Simon Business School

“I am an extremely bubbly and happy person who loves to creatively problem solve.”

Hometown: Chicago, IL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I own a wood customization business that specializes in products for Historically Black Greek Letter organizations.

Undergraduate School and Major:  Cornell University, Economics Major; East Asian Studies Minor

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Treasury Advisor at BMO Commercial Bank North America

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Rochester Simon’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Emphasis on experiential learning was one of the key parts of Simon’s MBA curriculum that drew me to the school. Simon offers various experiential learning opportunities, from clubs to global immersions, that provide students with real world problems for them to solve. After researching and speaking to other students about their experiences, I found that Simon was the best place for me to continue to pour into skill gaps while also getting applicable experience.

Rochester Simon is known for being “unabashedly analytical.” Why does the program’s focus on quantitative analysis and decision-making appeal to you? How do you intend to leverage this approach as a student and professional? While marketing is often seen as a purely creative field, it involves significant quantitative and analytical strategy. Although my finance background provides many transferable quantitative skills, there are still areas, such as pricing policies, where I need to strengthen my knowledge. Simon will offer me a strong foundation—not only in analytical skills and not just from a marketing perspective, but also from finance and consulting—equipping me with a diverse set of tools. I aspire to be recognized as a clean-cut and reliable professional, and my analytical background will be instrumental in achieving that goal.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Rochester? While MBA programs offer numerous advantages, from increased earning potential to career advancement, earning an MBA from Simon specifically will enable me to gain the global perspectives I am eager to explore. Simon’s reputation as one of the most diverse MBA programs in the United States will not only broaden my perspectives and enhance my teamwork and collaboration skills but will also deepen my cultural competence by engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds. These skills are essential for personal growth, company growth, real-world problem-solving, and gaining a competitive advantage.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Simon? I am particularly excited to join Simon Says, the public speaking club at Simon. Interesting as it may be, I am an extrovert by nature, but I tend to get nervous when speaking in academic settings. Throughout my business school journey, I’m eager to address any skill gaps and build my confidence in public speaking. I look forward to further developing this skill and making it one of my core competencies.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of the biggest accomplishments in my career so far was passing the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) exam. As the youngest person in my group at my most recent job, I lacked the experiential knowledge that some of my older colleagues had. To ensure I had a credible seat at the table, I committed to deepening my expertise in the treasury space. Passing an exam with a 60% failure rate not only boosted my confidence but also proved that I could be a valuable asset to the team, even at a young age.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? After graduation, I aspire to work in brand management at a consumer-packaged goods company, ideally in the toys and games sector, to develop the skills necessary for becoming a successful large-scale event planner.

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