Matthew Rush

Washington University, Olin Business School in St. Louis

“Army veteran, outdoorsman, and music lover with a passion for people-centered leadership.”

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Fun Fact About Yourself: I come alive during the winter and enjoy everything from skiing in Colorado to dog-sledding in Svalbard.

Undergraduate School and Major: Rhodes College, International Studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Army, Field Artillery Officer

What has been your favorite part of St. Louis so far? What makes St. Louis such a great place to earn an MBA? As a born and raised St. Louisan and tireless advocate for my hometown, picking just one thing is a tough task. But if you choose Olin for your MBA, make sure to check out the food scene here. Even aside from our world-class barbecue, St. Louis is home to the nation’s fastest growing community of foreign-born residents and features an incredible variety of international cuisines. If you want to sample a little of everything, stop by Tower Grove Park during the Festival of Nations in August.

Aside from the global immersion, what was the key part of Washington Olin’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? For me, Olin’s biggest selling point is its tight-knit and collegial atmosphere. Everyone in our class knows one another, and the school promotes a culture of teamwork and collaboration that permeates every aspect of the curriculum. Managing complex relationships is an essential part of successful leadership, and Olin excels at teaching its students how to work cohesively as members of an effective team.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Washington Olin? Olin has consistently impressed me with its top-notch courses, but the one that stands out the most is Professor Grant Clayton’s Financial Management class. Grant is a true master at breaking down complex financial concepts for his students and is deeply invested in their personal success. His lectures played a major role in sparking my interest in the world of finance.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My proudest accomplishment is the positive impact I left on the soldiers under my leadership. One of the Army’s chief values is the idea of selfless service – putting the needs of the organization and its people above those of yourself. I always worked to bring out the best in others and made it my personal mission to encourage the individual development of everyone on my team. The times where I watched my soldiers graduate from a school or pass a promotion board remain the most rewarding experiences of my time in the military.

Describe your biggest achievement in the MBA program so far: My greatest achievement so far is reactivating two dormant student organizations: Olin Outdoors Club and the Olin Social and Exploration Club. When I arrived at Olin, I saw an opportunity to enrich the student experience by creating spaces for my classmates to both explore the natural beauty of the Midwest and enjoy St. Louis’s vibrant arts scene. I have had the privilege of serving as president for both clubs over the past few months, organizing events that range from target shooting to jazz nights.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? My best memory so far occurred during our trip to Barcelona. A few of us rented a car and drove around the Catalan countryside, visiting the mountaintop monastery of Montserrat and stopping at various wineries along the way. It was a truly unforgettable experience and gave me the opportunity to cement friendships with many of my classmates.

DON’T MISS: MEET WASHINGTON OLIN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026