Charlie Doebbler

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“Startup co-founder and AMD operations manager pivoting to investment banking to drive strategic deal execution.”

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

Fun Fact About Yourself: After graduating from Baylor University, I co-founded a startup that built inventory management software for car dealerships. Our platform was used in nine dealerships across three states.

Undergraduate School and Major: Baylor University, Marketing and Sales

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Operations Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Cornell’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Cornell SC Johnson College of Business’s integrated finance ecosystem is one-of-a-kind. The breadth of programming, spanning the Old Ezra Finance Club, the Parker Center, the Private Equity and Credit Club, and close alumni mentorship, is unmatched. I sought a program that would prepare me to thrive in today’s unique environment of evolving capital structures and alternative financing, and Cornell Johnson’s real-world focus delivers.

What excites you the most about living in Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region? The proximity to nature was a major draw for me. I’m excited to see the gorges, waterfalls, and lakes around Ithaca, and to explore nearby state parks and ski resorts.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Cornell? I’m most excited about the Investment Banking Immersion. Its emphasis on relevant, real-world projects will enable me to build proficiency in transaction analysis and deal structuring under the guidance of industry professionals, allowing me to step in as an associate and add value from day one.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? I turn ambiguity into action and build teams that execute effectively. From launching a startup and steering a global AMD software development team to uniting a multilingual youth soccer team, I cons tantly strive to cut through complexity and get the job done. My past experiences will enable me to bring that same clarity to my core team, section, and immersion group, helping classmates ramp up faster and improve our placement rates.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:I helped lead the rollout of AMD’s co-marketing operations platform, which was a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nascent artificial intelligence boom. This platform hosted users on five continents and facilitated over $100 million in annual joint marketing spend with Microsoft, Google, Oracle, and other partners.  Our efforts allowed us to capitalize on early momentum and served as the foundation for AMD’s integrated GPU/CPU go-to-market strategy.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? It would include securing a top investment banking internship and full-time role; improving my overall business knowledge through clubs like Johnson New Ventures Club and the ETA Club; building lasting relationships that extend well beyond campus; and, most importantly, lowering my golf handicap.

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