Matthew Genovese

The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

“Marine veteran, husband, and girl-dad, always looking for the next challenge.”

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Fun fact about yourself: I snowboarded for nearly 20 years, but decided to switch to skiing well into my 30s so I could learn alongside my two young daughters. Two years in, and while it’s been an adjustment, I have no regrets—just a lot of fun (and a few new bruises)!

Undergraduate School and Degree: The University of Texas at San Antonio 2011, BA Sociology

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Before business school, I spent almost 12 years in the United States Marine Corps as a Communications Officer, finishing up my career in a staff role within the Joint Special Operations Command.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? I interned at Keurig Dr Pepper in Frisco, TX, on the northern edge of the Dallas metro area.

Where will you be working after graduation? I will be returning to Keurig Dr Pepper as an Associate Brand Manager.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Co-Vice President of the 2024 McCombs Marketing Conference
• Marketing Fellow
• Teaching Assistant, McCombs Marketing Department
• Member, McCombs Ambassador Committee
• Member, Texas Veterans in Business
• Service to School mentor

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of my time serving as a student ambassador with the McCombs Ambassador Committee. Whether conducting informational coffee chats or admissions interviews, it was a privilege to represent a program that had given so much to me and my family. Beyond that, it provided a platform to advise and coach prospective MBA candidates—many of whom I now count as friends. Seeing those initial conversations evolve into lasting relationships has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my business school experience.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During my three years on Marine Corps recruiting duty, I sought out and mentored young collegiate men and women across the Northern Rockies for service as Marine Officers. Each year, I met or exceeded both quantitative and qualitative recruiting goals, but my proudest achievement is seeing those officers go on to serve with distinction—delivering humanitarian aid, evacuating refugees from Kabul, and even returning as recruiters themselves. The moment it all came full circle was during my MBA orientation when I had dinner with a now-veteran I had recruited just five years earlier—beginning their second year in the McCombs Working Professional MBA program.

Why did you choose this business school? In one word: Community. My first interaction with McCombs was through Texas Veterans in Business, our veteran’s organization, but that initial connection quickly expanded. A fellow veteran introduced me to another student, who then introduced me to two more, and before I knew it, I had spoken with nearly ten current students, all before I had even completed my application. Each one was incredibly generous with their time and honest about their McCombs experience. They all emphasized the close relationships formed through the school’s collaborative culture and small class size. That sense of community made it clear to my wife and me that McCombs was where we wanted to spend the next two years.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor was Jade DeKinder, who taught our core Marketing Management course. Her class played a pivotal role in shaping my post-MBA career path, and I even had the opportunity to serve as her teaching assistant during my second year. As I progressed through the MBA program, I began considering ways to return to academia in the future, and she has been an incredible mentor—helping me explore different opportunities to give back and support the next generation of business leaders.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Hands down, Analysis of Markets with Ty Henderson. Taking this course alongside the core marketing curriculum unlocked my passion for data-driven brand management and the quantitative side of marketing. I’ll never forget the homework assignment analyzing paper towel sales—thinking, ‘If I can get this excited about paper towels, there’s something here worth exploring.’ That realization solidified my interest in the strategic and analytical aspects of marketing, shaping my approach to internships moving forward.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? The MBA tailgates during football season are absolutely my favorite tradition. There’s nothing quite like the entire McCombs community—classmates, alumni, faculty, and even our families—coming together to celebrate, connect, and share in the excitement of Texas football. Seeing my classmates’ children and my own running around, decked out in burnt orange, makes it even more special. It’s the perfect mix of school spirit, family, and fun, creating memories that extend beyond just our time in the program. Hook ‘em!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do it all over again, the one thing I would change is applying to serve as a Board Fellow. At the time, I chose not to pursue it because I wanted to ensure I could fully honor each of my commitments—including my role as a husband and father. But service has always been a core value in our family, and Randi Shade’s Investing in Philanthropy course reinforced just how important it is, especially as I think about my future and how I can continue giving back to my community. The Board Fellows program offers such a unique opportunity to connect with the greater Austin and Central Texas community in a meaningful and impactful way. Looking back, I believe the additional obligation would have been far outweighed by the invaluable experience and relationships it would have fostered.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A common myth I hear from applicants is that the Texas MBA brand and network are limited to Texas. That couldn’t be further from the truth—Longhorn alumni are everywhere, across the country and around the world, carrying the University’s brand with them. At the same time, within Texas, no business school has a stronger presence or deeper industry connections than McCombs. This creates a unique opportunity, especially for candidates who initially come to UT for school but inevitably end up falling in love with Texas and choosing to build their careers here after graduation.

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? Moneyball is a great example, especially when it comes to leveraging data to drive smarter decision-making. The film highlights how challenging conventional wisdom and focusing on analytics can create a competitive edge, even when resources are limited. It reinforced for me that success in business isn’t just about gut instinct or tradition—it’s about identifying inefficiencies, making data-driven decisions, and having the courage to take calculated risks. More importantly, it shows that true leadership isn’t just about strategy, but also about getting buy-in and inspiring others to see the vision.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Starting in the spring of 2024, McCombs introduced AI in Business and Society as part of the custom core curriculum, taught by Maytal Saar-Tsechansky. This course bridged McCombs’ heavily quantitative and analytics-focused curriculum with the rapidly evolving AI landscape. One of the biggest insights I gained was how AI, particularly generative AI, is not an entirely new phenomenon but rather an evolution—albeit a significant leap—of predictive modeling and analytics techniques that have been foundational in business for decades. By embedding analytics into nearly every course, McCombs demystifies AI, providing a deeper understanding of its applications and limitations in real-world decision-making.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I’d have to say Avery Klunick. From day one in our cohort, she brought energy and enthusiasm that made every interaction more engaging. As a McCombs Ambassador Committee co-chair, she met with countless prospective and current applicants, never turning down an opportunity to connect. What sets her apart isn’t just her boundless social battery, but also her rare ability to cut through the noise and confidently prioritize the opportunities that align with her personal and professional goals. Paired with her professionalism and work ethic, there’s no doubt she’s bound for great things post-MBA.

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

* Make an impact. Every business justifies its existence by addressing a customer need, but I want to lead a brand that truly improves people’s lives—whether by bringing joy, enhancing convenience, or increasing access to nutrition. Success, to me, is about creating something that resonates beyond the bottom line.

* Build something. I want to take a business, product, or idea from the ground up—whether that’s launching a new brand, revitalizing an existing one, or driving meaningful innovation. There’s something deeply rewarding about seeing an idea take shape, gain traction, and ultimately make a lasting impact.

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

“Matt Genovese is the kind of leader who leaves a lasting impact, in his work, his commitments and his service. From his distinguished service in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he honed his leadership in high-stakes environments, to his seamless transition into brand management at Keurig Dr Pepper, to raising a young family, Matt embodies discipline, adaptability, and an unshakable drive.

In addition to his superlative academic performance, Matt’s leadership went beyond the classroom. As Co-VP of the McCombs Marketing Conference and a Marketing Fellow, he brought precision and creativity to the forefront, ensuring that every project he touched had both strategic depth and real-world impact. His mentorship extended beyond peers, from guiding prospective MBA candidates as a McCombs Ambassador to supporting fellow veterans navigating the transition from military to business. “Matt’s career journey is a testament to his growth mindset and strong work ethic,” shares our career team. “We’re incredibly proud of his remarkable transition and can’t wait to see the impact he’ll continue to make.”

Professor Jade DeKinder echoes this sentiment: “The best leaders don’t just excel—they elevate. Matt doesn’t just lead; he inspires others to think bigger, act bolder, and do better. He brings courage and honesty when it’s needed and humility and humor when it matters most.”

As one of the brightest minds in his class, Matt performed well while continuing his penchant for service by shaping the next generation of leaders, guiding prospective students and mentoring fellow veterans. Matt is a force for good—one who will continue to blaze trails, serve, and lead with purpose long after he leaves McCombs.”

Tina Mabley
Senior Assistant Dean, Full-Time MBA

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2025

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