Serena Moss

Columbia Business School

“Passionate community builder empowering others to live authentically and create meaningful impact.”

Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa

Fun fact about yourself: I’m a proud cat mom!

Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Chicago – BA, Economics

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Ares Management Corporation – Associate, Private Equity Investor Relations.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2024? Bank of America, NYC

Where will you be working after graduation? Pella Corporation – I will be a Manager in the Human Resources Leadership Development Program. Fun fact: I interned at Pella when I was a sophomore in college, so this is a full-circle moment for me!

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Co-President – CBS Community Impact Club
• Vice President of Admissions – Columbia Women in Business
• Chair of the Board – Career Management Center (CMC) Fellows
• CMC Fellow
• Peer Advisor – Cluster A (Class of 2026)
• Ambassador – Hermes Society
• Pathways to Yes Instructor at Sing Sing Correctional Facility through the Re-Entry Acceleration Program (REAP)
• Core Tutor – Managerial Economics, Foundations of Valuation, and Corporate Finance
• Teacher’s Assistant – Managerial Decision Making (2 Terms)
• Second Year Merit Fellowship Recipient – “Based on an applicant’s extraordinary contributions to the CBS community through academic excellence, co-curricular leadership, and service.”
• Dean’s List – Spring 2024 and Fall 2024

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of my contributions as Co-President of the Community Impact Club (CIC). When I joined, the club—formerly called the Financial Literacy Club—it focused primarily on a single organization, AHRC. However, my Co-President and I saw a broader opportunity: CBS lacked a fully dedicated community service club, and we envisioned transforming CIC into a platform that connected students with meaningful ways to give back across NYC. To bring this vision to life, we rebranded the club to the Community Impact Club to reflect our expanded mission. Since then, we’ve established partnerships with more than five new organizations and doubled the number of service events we’ve hosted year-over-year. More than the numbers, I feel in my heart the impact we’ve had—both on the CBS students and the organizations we’ve partnered with—which has truly made my CBS experience.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of the role I played in running the summer internship program during my first year at Credit Suisse. I had the opportunity to touch every part of the process: organizing fireside chats and teach-ins, mentoring interns, and serving as the bridge between my group and HR to determine full-time offer decisions.

What made this experience so rewarding was the sense of ownership I felt over the program and the direct impact I had on the interns. I worked closely with them throughout the summer, offering guidance and support, and seeing all of them secure full-time offers was incredibly fulfilling. This experience was also my first foray into the world of HR, so it feels extra special to reflect on this formative moment in my career.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose CBS primarily for its unparalleled access to an incredible network, world-class professional opportunities, and the vibrant energy of NYC. Just last week, I spoke one-on-one with the CFOs of American Express and FactSet! Beyond career opportunities, being at CBS has also reconnected me with my UChicago network and given me access to some of the world’s best restaurants and cultural experiences, making my time here both professionally and personally enriching.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? I think this is a testament to how amazing the faculty at CBS is because I had to think long and hard about this one! That being said, I would say my favorite professor has been Professor Joe Timko. I loved taking his Managerial Decision-Making course so much that I decided to TA for him… twice! Beyond that, we also spent winter break working on a lot of new content for the course, which was both an honor and an unexpectedly fun experience! I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome many times throughout my career and during my time at CBS, questioning whether I truly belong in certain rooms. Professor Timko gave me the trust and confidence I needed to step up and prove to myself that I can excel at the highest level. For that, I’ll always be grateful.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite event by far has been the fertility information session and panel hosted by Columbia Women in Business. This event was eye-opening—it made me realize how little I knew about fertility and family planning options, and how rarely these topics are openly discussed among women. Not only did I gain expert insights from an NYC-based IVF doctor, but I also had the privilege of hearing personal stories from CBS women. Witnessing their vulnerability and candor in such an intimate setting was incredibly powerful. It was an unforgettable experience that reinforced the importance of creating spaces where women can share, learn, and support one another.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I wish I had spent more time developing relationships with professors. CBS has world-class faculty, and they are incredibly generous with their time outside of class. I’ve seen classmates take full advantage—staying after lectures to ask questions, attending office hours, or even reaching out to professors they weren’t taking a course with just to learn from their expertise. While I built strong relationships with a few professors, there were others I wanted to connect with but never did—largely because I was scared to initiate a conversation. Looking back, I realize that professors genuinely enjoy engaging with students, and I wish I had been more proactive in fostering those connections.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about CBS is that it’s just a finance school. While it’s true that we have top-tier finance courses and faculty, CBS offers so much more. I’ve found such an amazing community within the Social Enterprise Club, where I’ve met passionate classmates pursuing careers in impact investing, foundations, and even launching their own social ventures.

What movie or television show best reflects the realities of business and what did you learn from it? I’m a huge fan of Severance, and I find its premise incredibly thought-provoking. Having worked in demanding finance roles before business school, I often felt the pressure to sacrifice my personal life in order to get ahead professionally. However, unlike the characters in the show, I found it impossible to fully compartmentalize my personal and professional lives. Severance made me reflect on how much of ourselves we give to our careers and whether the pursuit of success should come at the cost of personal fulfillment. I’m still working on striking the right balance, but the show reinforced the importance of boundaries, prioritizing mental well-being, and intentionality.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? CBS now offers a course called Generative AI for Business, which I had the privilege of taking this semester. It has been incredibly valuable—not only in showing me how various AI tools can enhance productivity and creativity, but also in highlighting its risks and ethical considerations. One of the most eye-opening discussions centered on bias in AI-generated outputs and how flawed training data can reinforce inequalities. Another major takeaway was the environmental impact of AI, which hadn’t been discussed in other courses I’ve taken.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Ellie Valencia. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know Ellie through the CBS Community Impact Club, where she serves on the board and is an active participant in our events. At our AHRC sessions, she’s often the one leading the cohort, patiently teaching interviewing and budgeting skills with a warmth and kindness that make everyone feel supported. Ellie must have been a teacher in her past life because her patience and ability to connect with people are truly remarkable! What stands out most about Ellie is that she gives back purely out of genuine care—never for recognition or accolades. The world needs more people like Ellie, and I feel truly lucky to know her.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First, I want to find true purpose and fulfillment in the impact I have at work. For me, that means helping to build an organization where every employee feels empowered to bring their most authentic self and do their best work. Second, I want to drive structural equity by shaping the policies, practices, and benefits that define an organization. The idea of designing more inclusive and effective workplaces energizes me, and I’m excited to contribute to meaningful changes in how companies support their employees. Ultimately, both goals are about the same thing—creating environments where people can thrive.

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

“Serena Moss has been a pillar of service and leadership within the Columbia Business School Class of 2025, distinguished by her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference both on campus and in the broader community. As Chair of the Career Management Center Fellows program, VP of Admissions for Columbia Women in Business (CWiB), and Co-President of the CBS Community Impact Club, Serena has consistently brought thoughtfulness, drive, and purpose to her leadership roles. Her work has helped connect students to resources, opportunities, and one another—ensuring that CBS remains a place where talent is nurtured, and values-driven leadership thrives.

What truly sets Serena apart is her passion for giving back. Through her role in expanding the Community Impact Club, she has transformed it into an impactful service-oriented organization at CBS, encouraging her peers to engage deeply with the world around them. Whether helping prospective students feel welcomed through her work with CWiB or guiding her peers as a CMC Fellow, Serena leads with integrity, generosity, and heart. Her legacy is one of service, inclusion, and community, and she has left an indelible mark on CBS.”

Samantha Shapses, Ed.D.
Senior Associate Dean and Dean of Student Affairs 
Columbia Business School

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