Christopher Peer

Columbia Business School

“Community builder and connector with an uncompromising commitment to excellence.”

Hometown: Millington, New Jersey

Fun Fact About Yourself: I lived in Alaska for three years while stationed there with the Army, where I learned to climb mountains and cross glaciers. It was breathtaking and transformative, though I’ll admit I prefer New York bagels to frozen MREs.

Undergraduate School and Major: Stetson University, Political Science – Go Hatters!

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Senior Operations Specialist at Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking

What makes New York City such a great place to earn an MBA? New York is unmatched in its energy and diversity—you can find community no matter who you are. I can walk outside my apartment and meet fascinating people at world-class venues within 15 minutes. For me, it was always “New York or nowhere.”

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Columbia Business School’s MBA curriculum programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate is best in class and immediately stood out as a program I wanted to join. New York is the global hub of real estate finance, and Columbia sits at the very center of it. The Center’s curated electives and direct access to industry leaders—some of whom are executives-in-residence—offer an unmatched foundation for launching a career in real estate.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Columbia Business School? I’m most excited for the Silfen Leadership Series. CBS consistently brings in leaders shaping the future of business like Jensen Huang and Jamie Dimon, and I look forward to engaging firsthand with the next wave of changemakers on campus this Fall.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027? Why? I’m a natural connector! This summer I organized a successful Welcome Reception in the Hamptons for 400 classmates—it turns out planning Army missions translates well to event logistics. My goal is always the same: bring people together for memorable experiences.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Leading a platoon through a combat deployment as a U.S. Army officer—and bringing everyone home safely—remains the most meaningful achievement of my career. I’ve had many wins since, but nothing will ever compare to that sense of responsibility and pride I felt as a young Lieutenant.

What do you hope to do after graduation? I’m recruiting for investment banking, with a focus on the real estate, gaming, lodging, and leisure sector. I gained exposure to real estate investment banking at my last firm, and I’m excited to build a career in that direction with Columbia’s resources and location at the center of global real estate finance behind me.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Columbia Business School’s MBA program? Think deeply about why you want to be at the very center of business in New York City. Don’t be afraid to get personal in your essays, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. I was waitlisted when I first applied, but authentic storytelling and persistence ultimately earned me a seat in the Class of 2027.

DON’T MISS: MEET COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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