Meet the MBA Class of 2026: Jack Edelman, Cornell University (Johnson) by: Jeff Schmitt on December 05, 2024 | 273 Views December 5, 2024 Copy Link Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Share on LinkedIn Share on WhatsApp Share on Reddit Jack Edelman Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business “Empathetic leader determined to develop creative initiatives that inspire positive societal change.” Hometown: New York City, New York Fun Fact About Yourself: I am building an artist management business designed to provide opportunities for artists in need. I look forward to enhancing my business acumen to in turn continue guiding professional talent to people I am introduced to. Undergraduate School and Major: University of Michigan, economics Most Recent Employer and Job Title: L+M Development Partners, Landlord-Tenant Litigation Manager Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Cornell’s authentic commitment to developing people, rather than just professionals, was the common denominator guiding my decision. Obtaining my MBA is significantly more than where I will intern or the professional path I will pursue. Though professional ambitions are important, my journey is equally personal. Being selected as a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow is exactly the type of emotional development I have been searching for. The opportunity to supplement an Ivy League education with unique leadership experiences will allow me to amplify my influence upon returning to the workplace and hopefully leave a legacy that embodies progress. What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? Growing up and living in New York City my entire adult life, I’m accustomed to juggling professional and personal obligations at an extremely fast pace. I look forward to embracing the fresh air of the Finger Lakes, metaphorically speaking. Taking two years to focus on my professional development will allow me to actualize my potential as a comprehensive leader. The opportunity to take a breath, enjoy hiking or skiing outdoors and block out the noise excites me most about moving to Ithaca. Slowing down and focusing is just the recipe I need. What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I’m most excited to join the Associate Real Estate Council. Having held niche positions in the real estate industry for the past eight years, I look forward to sharing experiences from closing mortgages and managing affordable housing developments. I hope to enrich networking conversations and help plan treks to New York City, where I imagine setting up site visits or facilitating introductions that may lead to professional opportunities. I’m also looking forward to meeting folks from the Baker program, Cornell’s STEM-designated real estate master’s, many of whom participate in the Associate Real Estate Council. It’s important that I build community outside of just my immediate MBA class, and I know I will meet many like-minded folks enrolled at Baker. Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized Johnson was the right program for you? Why? Initially apprehensive about attending grad school in a smaller college town, I was inspired by timely words from my father, who encouraged me to develop the environment I wanted to see. At that moment, I realized Johnson offered all the resources I was looking for. Robust leadership initiatives, a distinguished education, infrastructure to pursue professional opportunities, an intimate class size, and skilled faculty all complement one another to form an environment where I will flourish. Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I have helped thousands of first-time homebuyers navigate the nuances of the mortgage application process to successfully purchase a home. For four years, I worked as a mortgage broker and was responsible for ensuring client satisfaction for predominantly first-time buyers. I simultaneously learned the subtleties of underwriting loans and how to communicate effectively with clients. Through repetition and determination, I sharpened my skill set and facilitated seamless experiences for many clients. I’m proud of how I handled challenging client interactions and the amount of money I helped clients save by delivering competitive rates. Strong user experiences led to upselling opportunities, which helped us scale the brokerage and ultimately fundraise successfully. Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? I will call my experience a success if, in two years, I can reflect and say I acquired the technical skills necessary to progress professionally and the emotional intelligence required to lead comprehensively. At the same time, I’ll be enjoying experiences with classmates. Based on interactions I’ve already had with classmates and faculty before stepping foot on campus, I can confidently say the “if” is just a formality. Choosing Cornell has already produced dividends! What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Cornell’s MBA program? One reason I chose Cornell was my impression of the faculty, who are respectful, down-to-earth, and relatable. I value micro-interactions like saying hello or shaking hands, and folks from Johnson admissions reciprocated the appreciation. Everyone at Cornell is extremely capable, but there is no pretentiousness inside Sage Hall. For folks interested in attending Johnson, I recommend you carry yourself similarly when handling those casual interactions; it goes a lot further than you may imagine. DON’T MISS: MEET CORNELL JOHNSON’S MBA CLASS OF 2026