Lilly Howes

New York University, Stern School of Business

“Can always be found making conversation in the grocery store.”

Hometown: Westport, Connecticut

Fun Fact About Yourself: I ran the 2021 New York Marathon and am planning on completing an Ironman before I’m 30!

Undergraduate School and Major: Cornell University, Communication

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Verition Fund Management, IR & Fundraising

What excites you the most about living in New York City and how do you see it enhancing your learning experience? New York City has always been near-and-dear to my heart since I was a little girl visiting on weekends with my family. What excites me most about living in New York now as an adult is having the opportunity to be fully immersed in its vibrancy every day. The city’s fast pace, cultural diversity, and endless opportunities for discovery constantly push people to grow, adapt, and stay curious. The energy, plethora of activities, and distinct blend of people and interests are what make the city so unique, never-ending, and special.

From a learning perspective, I see New York City as an extension of the classroom. Beyond formal academics, the city offers exposure to a range of industries, thought leaders, and events that few places in the world can match. Living here means being surrounded by ambition and innovation, and I’m excited to let that energy fuel my own personal and professional development.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of NYU Stern’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I chose NYU Stern for a multitude of reasons, but what sealed the deal was Stern’s emphasis and intentional focus on EQ (emotional intelligence). I believe that great leadership and the ability to excel career-wise goes beyond technical skill—it requires self-awareness, empathy, and the ability to genuinely connect with people. Stern’s commitment to developing and fostering EQ in its students resonated deeply after leaving the world of investor relations (where I learned the importance of EQ firsthand) and made me feel like I’d be growing not just technically and professionally, but also as a person.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at NYU Stern? I plan on fully immersing myself in the clubs and activities Stern has to offer from Stern Women in Business to Stern Investment Management & Research. What excites me the most, though, would be Stern’s global learning opportunities—no other business school is global quite like NYU Stern. From their “Doing Business In…” courses to full semesters abroad, Stern provides its students with a plethora of opportunities to sharpen their global mindset and think outside borders and cultures in a rapidly expanding global economy.

What does EQ (Emotional Intelligence) mean to you and when have you seen its value in your career? As my career has been in the world of fundraising and investor relations, I’ve learned early on that success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about relationships and how we foster them. At Verition, I saw first-hand how critical trust, strong communication, humanity, and empathy were to excelling in my seat. Whether navigating high-stakes conversations or managing long-term partnerships, strong EQ proved to be the foundation of meaningful, effective interactions.

Beyond external relationships, EQ also shapes how you show up internally as a teammate, a collaborator, and a leader. My experience professionally has demonstrated irrefutably that emotional intelligence isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ quality, but is instead integral to building a successful and sustainable career. That’s why Stern’s commitment to developing this EQ in its students stood out to me; it signaled a program that values not just what you know, but how you show up as a colleague and friend.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest accomplishments was being part of the small (but mighty!) team that launched one of our largest partnerships to date with a major global bank’s wealth platform. I was able to play a key role from early-stage planning through execution, helping shape the narrative through designing and updating deliverables, coordinating across internal teams, and supporting the client-facing efforts through cross-organization events. This partnership significantly expanded our reach and marked a major milestone, reinforcing and showcasing our ability to deliver strong returns and solutions to the private wealth channel.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? I believe my desire and ability to genuinely connect with people, paired with a strong interest in problem solving and big-picture thinking, is a unique combination of qualities I possess. I’ve always been energized by collaboration while also enjoying stepping back to understand the broader context and uncovering creative, thoughtful solutions to complex challenges. This combination of emotional intelligence and strategic curiosity allows me to bring heart, clarity, and out-of-the-box thinking to group dynamics and projects.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into NYU Stern’s MBA program? As cliché as it might sound, be true and authentic to yourself! Figure out what it is that drives you in your career aspirations and hold onto that nugget when applying and interviewing—it’s what makes you unique and full of tangible humanity.

DON’T MISS: MEET NYU STERN’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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