Julian Sutton

New York University, Stern School of Business

“I’m a relationship-oriented, movie-going, soccer-playing, music-bumping, pasta-eating, fun-loving chiller.”

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Fun fact about yourself: My former roommate and I have discovered and managed electronic music artists who have gone on to sign with major record labels!

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Pennsylvania – BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics / Minor in Consumer Psychology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Deloitte Consulting – Strategy and Analytics Consultant

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? National Basketball Association – New York, NY

Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte Consulting – Senior Consultant

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Co-President, Student Government (Stern)
• VP Admissions – Entertainment, Media, and Sports Association (Stern)
• VP Development – Global MBA Sports Business Alliance
• Career Mentor – (Stern)
• Awards and Honors:
  • NYU Stern Dean’s List
  • Samuel Craig Graduate Scholarship

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of being Co-President of Stern’s Student Government. At times chaotic, but always rewarding, it’s been an incredible opportunity to advocate for my classmates, foster community, and help shape the student experience in a meaningful way. Leading such a dynamic, passionate group has reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration and the impact that strong leadership can have. In just two years, Stern has given me so much: lifelong friends, an incredible education, and experiences I’ll remember forever. I’m proud to have played a role in giving back and making our school an even better place for students.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? After serving two years as the Social Impact Chair for Deloitte’s New York office, I was elected to Deloitte’s National DEI and Social Impact Council. This was an incredible honor and a responsibility I took to heart. It gave me the opportunity to contribute to meaningful initiatives that drove positive change within the firm and beyond. Collaborating with leaders across the organization, I was able to help shape strategies that fostered diverse talent, created impactful community programs, and embedded these values into the firm’s culture. I’m proud to have played a role in advancing these efforts and championing a more inclusive workplace.

Why did you choose this business school? Coming back to school, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into the world of Media and Entertainment. Movies, music and sports have always been personal passions, but more and more I found myself looking for ways to integrate them into my career. This made Stern a no-brainer. World class professors, groundbreaking courses, and a specialization dedicated specifically to Entertainment, Media, and Technology – all in the heart of the business capital of the world. I mean what more could you ask for?

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course at Stern was Digital Media Innovation, hands-down. Taught by former Buzzfeed President, Greg Coleman, this is the type of once-in-a-lifetime experience that you won’t see anywhere else but business school. Each session is an in-person, in-depth interview with some of the country’s most incredible business leaders. We got to hear from CEOs and other chief-level executives from companies like YouTube, X, Spotify, TikTok, the NBA, and many more. Mark Cuban even dropped by!

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite event has got to be the annual Stern Talent Show. It’s business school, so there’s no shortage of opportunities to show off your Excel or casing skills, but the talent show is one of the few nights where students get to showcase a completely different side of themselves. Whether it’s music, comedy, dance, or something totally unexpected, it’s a reminder of the creativity, talent, and personality that make the Stern community so special.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? What did I love most about the greatest city on earth? Umm, just about everything! New York can certainly be overwhelming, but there’s just something about it. The passion, the hustle, the purpose. It’s inspiring, terrifying, and mesmerizing all at the same time. It makes you feel like anything is possible, because in New York, anything is possible. Having said all that, it’s the pizza. It’s definitely the pizza.

What movie or television show (e.g. The Big Short, The Founder, Mad Men, House of Lies) best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? If you’re looking for a masterclass in business strategy, then you need look no further than my all-time favorite film, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. At first glance, Pirates of the Caribbean may seem like just a swashbuckling adventure filled with sword fights, ghostly maledictions, and Johnny Depp at peak eccentricity. But if you look a little closer (and maybe squint a bit), you’ll see that it’s actually a perfect metaphor for the wild, unpredictable world of business. Captain Jack doesn’t have a business plan; he has business instinct. He sees an opportunity (a cursed treasure, an unguarded ship, a poorly secured rum supply) and capitalizes on it. He teaches us that success isn’t about an abundance of resources, it’s about leveraging what you have (a broken compass and an absurd amount of luck) and making things happen.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Stern offers an incredible course called Leading in the Age of AI. The class explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence as it becomes the most influential general purpose technology of our time. With AI rapidly transforming industries through machine learning, data, cloud computing, and even quantum advancements, the course examines how we as leaders can navigate its disruptive potential. I’ve never been so scared yet so inspired by a class!

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I undoubtedly have to say my Student Government Co-President, my partner-in-crime, Danielle Hoang. Danielle is a truly incredible human being. I’ve never met someone who can be so hilarious, so bubbly, so genuine, yet at the same time so driven, so dedicated, and so capable. Her positivity is infectious. Her resolve is inspiring. Stern wouldn’t have been the same without her, and I’m honored to call her a friend.

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

• I would absolutely love to be a producer on a major motion picture
• It would be great to one day serve on the advisory board of a startup or growing company. An opportunity to help a new generation of leaders and impart some strategic wisdom (that I will have hopefully accrued)

What made Julian such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“As an administrator at Stern, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Julian in various leadership capacities, and I can confidently say that he is an exceptional member of the Stern community.

He’s demonstrated unwavering support to his classmates throughout his tenure at Stern. I’ve had the privilege to partner with him on a number of community initiatives during his time as Student Government Co-president. No matter the challenge at hand, Julian always remains calm and empathetic, eager to find a solution that will lead to the success of his fellow student body. He’s also served as a Career Mentor and on the board of the Entertainment, Media & Sports Association as the VP of Admissions. He’s been a champion of this space and helped to encourage and support Sternies who choose this career path. He’s also been a champion of broadening his horizons, in NYC or elsewhere. He’s participated in both experiential and international programs – through Stern’s Entertainment Media Solutions program and DBi South Africa. No matter where he is in the world, he’s always doing a great job of representing the Stern community.

Julian’s energy and curiosity make him a natural connector. During the DBi South Africa program in Cape Town, he fully embraced both the cultural and social aspects of the experience, making every moment more engaging. He brought enthusiasm to discussions and company visits, enriching the course on South Africa’s business landscape. A standout moment was a traditional African drumming class, where his contagious energy turned a simple activity into a trip highlight. Julian doesn’t just build networks; he builds community, making every experience more meaningful.

His ability to connect, uplift, and bring people together, whether in a corporate setting, a cultural experience, or a casual night out, sets him apart as a true leader. Julian doesn’t just build networks; he builds relationships, fostering a sense of community wherever he goes. That spirit of connection and engagement is just one of the many reasons he is so deserving of this recognition.”

Jenna Mortenson
Associate Director, Office of Student Engagement
NYU Stern

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