Jim Maley

Arizona State University, W. P. Carey School of Business

“Former naval officer, finance student, passionate about leadership, empowerment, and helping others reach their potential.”

Hometown: Rosalia, WA

Fun fact about yourself: I grew up in a small farm town with a population of 500 people.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Washington State University, B.S. Psychology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? United States Navy, Surface Warfare Officer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Raytheon, Tucson, AZ

Where will you be working after graduation? Raytheon

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School: During business school, I actively participated in community work, including the Televerde program, where I mentored female inmates, helping them prepare for their professional lives post-release. These experiences allowed me to apply my leadership skills in real-world settings, making a positive impact both within the school and in the broader community

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I’m most proud of my work in the Televerde program, where I had the opportunity to help female inmates prepare for their professional lives upon release. It was meaningful to see how a bit of guidance and mentorship could provide a lasting impact on someone’s future, helping them build new skills and confidence. This experience deeply resonated with my values of empowerment and leadership.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? As a former naval officer, my proudest achievement was leading a team in a high-stakes mission that required quick thinking, strategy, and collaboration. The successful execution of that mission not only affirmed my leadership abilities, but also solidified my commitment to teamwork and responsibility under pressure, traits I carry with me in my current academic and professional pursuits.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose this business school because of its strong focus on leadership development. Coming from a military background, leadership is something I’ve always valued. The school’s approach to honing both hard and soft leadership skills through hands-on experiences and mentorship was crucial in my decision-making process

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Professor Sosyura was my favorite MBA professor because of his practical and engaging teaching style. His ability to link real-world business problems with academic theory helped me see how finance concepts are applied outside the classroom. He fostered an environment where we were encouraged to think critically and challenge ideas.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course was Fixed Income because it blended my passion for finance with strategic thinking. The course required applying financial principles to complex business problems, which was not only intellectually stimulating, but also helped me refine my decision-making skills in a way that directly impacts real businesses.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The annual New Year event was my favorite tradition. It reflected the school’s deep commitment to developing leaders who are not only successful in business but also ethical and community-minded. The event allowed me to connect with classmates and professors on a personal level.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could go back, I would have participated in more networking events earlier on. I realize now how beneficial it is to form connections with industry leaders and peers from diverse backgrounds to broaden my perspective on business opportunities.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about my school was that it focuses only on hard skills like finance and consulting. In reality, I found the school to place a heavy emphasis on personal development, emotional intelligence, and ethical leadership, which was a pleasant surprise and aligned perfectly with my values.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? I loved the town’s strong sense of community and how it blended a small-town feel with big-city opportunities. It offered a perfect balance of access to diverse industries while maintaining a welcoming and tight-knit environment that made networking and collaboration easy.

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? The Big Short was a movie that accurately depicted the complexities and challenges of the financial world. It taught me the importance of understanding market forces and the risks of speculation, as well as the value of ethical decision-making and long-term thinking in business.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? The school has integrated AI into its analytics courses, providing us with tools to analyze large datasets and make data-driven decisions. I learned that AI can help identify trends and patterns that human analysis might miss, allowing businesses to make more informed decisions and streamline operations

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Tanner Shumway for his unwavering dedication to both his academics and his extracurricular work. His ability to balance a rigorous coursework load with his commitment to social impact initiatives has been truly inspiring and shows his exceptional time management and leadership abilities

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First, I would love to lead a corporate finance team for a Fortune 500 company. Second, I aspire to mentor future leaders, especially those from underrepresented communities, to help guide them toward achieving their full potential in business.

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

“A former naval officer, Jim brings exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability to our program. His ability to lead under pressure and foster collaboration has made a lasting impact both academically and in the community.

At W. P. Carey, Jim has excelled in the classroom while also giving back through the Televerde program, where he mentored incarcerated women preparing for professional reintegration. His dedication to service and empowerment reflects his strong leadership values.

During his internship at Raytheon Technologies, Jim applied his analytical expertise to enhance financial decision-making, reinforcing his ability to navigate complex business challenges. His disciplined approach and problem-solving mindset have earned him the respect of peers and faculty alike.

Jim’s combination of military experience, academic excellence, and commitment to service makes him a standout representative of our program.”

Erica Day
Associate Director
Program Operations, Full-time MBA

Nitin Walia
Clinical Professor, Department of Information Systems
Faculty Director, Full-time MBA

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