Ty Millward

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

“Driven chaos coordinator chasing adventure and meaningful impact, and a suspicious love of efficiency.”

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

Fun fact about yourself: I have traveled across 36 countries.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

• Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management from West Virginia University
• Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? I served in the United States Army as an Artillery and Infantry Officer for seven years.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2025? I interned with Wells Fargo’s Power, Utilities and Renewables Investment Banking Team as a Summer Associate in their Charlotte, North Carolina office.

Where will you be working after graduation? I will be returning to Wells Fargo’s Power, Utilities and Renewables Investment Banking Team as an Associate in their Charlotte, North Carolina office.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:  

• President of the Johnson Association of Veterans
• VP of Veterans of Old Ezra Finance Club
• President of the Johnson Golf Club
• Career Working Group Leader
• Johnson Leadership Fellow
• SALUTE Scholar
• Peter and Stephanie Nolan Scholarship recipient
• Wells Fargo MBA Leader Fellowship

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Serving as President of the Johnson Association of Veterans was the most meaningful role I’ve had. Being chosen by my peers to lead such an outstanding group was truly an honor. I found great fulfillment in supporting the veteran community and helping the organization grow and improve. Military veterans supported me in my journey, and it was rewarding to assist the next group of business leaders in return. Most notably, Big Red Barn Thursdays, where veterans and other friends would meet to discuss big ideas over tea and popcorn.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One of the proudest chapters of my career was commanding Charlie Troop, 3-71 Cavalry. Leading nearly 100 Soldiers across 3 different deployments to Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Finland, and Chile and helping them grow into confident, capable leaders was deeply rewarding. Each day brought new challenges for my team and me, but collaborating with talented individuals made every mission enjoyable. The bonds we built and the lessons we shared are memories I will always carry with me.

Why did you choose this business school? Before entering the civilian workforce, I wanted to make the most of every opportunity to learn from experienced professors and talented peers. I strongly believe that networking and building meaningful relationships with future business leaders is invaluable, and an MBA program provides a unique environment to do exactly that.

At first, I wasn’t certain which career path I wanted to pursue. However, with the guidance and support of mentors, I discovered that investment banking was the ideal path to accelerate my career. In my admittedly biased opinion, Cornell has the strongest investment banking pipeline. Its powerful alumni network and student-led community are deeply committed to helping each other secure roles in the industry. That sense of community was a major draw for me. I was excited by the idea of being away from a major city and forming close relationships with my classmates. To me, one of the most valuable outcomes of an MBA is leaving with a shortlist of high-quality people you would trust and want to work with again in the future.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Drew Pascarella has been my most impactful MBA professor. He has a unique talent for pushing students to reach their full potential while creating an engaging and supportive learning environment. His combination of academic insight and practical experience makes his classes both challenging and relevant. Above all, I admire his commitment to his students; he never hesitates to step up and advocate on their behalf. I hope to remain in touch with him as my career progresses. Because of my military background, I have a deeply rooted appreciation for punctuality. Thankfully, Drew shares this passion and makes sure it’s firmly instilled in all of his students. Let’s just say… that level of timeliness is not always common in the MBA world, so it’s refreshing to see it enforced. I absolutely love it.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Financial Statement Analysis was one of the most impactful courses I took at Cornell. Professor Bhojraj effectively taught us how to analyze financial statements and evaluate the underlying trends and risks within a company. I especially appreciated how he incorporated current events into each class, linking real-world developments to the concepts we were learning, which made the material both engaging and practical.

Cornell offers strong international opportunities, including many study abroad programs for second-year students. I studied in St. Gallen, Switzerland, which became a highlight of my MBA experience thanks to friendly, knowledgeable professors and classmates. The University of St. Gallen provided excellent business courses and offered valuable perspectives on international business practices beyond those found in the United States, which I found highly beneficial. The program encouraged travel, enabling me to ski the Alps, visit Mediterranean islands, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro, see Icelandic glaciers, and explore other European countries.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Sage Social was easily my favorite MBA tradition. Every Thursday after class, students come together to enjoy food, drinks, and great company. It was the perfect way to relax and connect with classmates and faculty. Year one (before the two-drink limit) was particularly fun, but it’s always been a highlight of the week.

What was the most impactful case study you had in business school and what was the biggest lesson you learned from it? One of the most meaningful cases I worked on at Cornell was a buy, sell, or hold recommendation for an energy company in my Financial Statement Analysis course. It was during this project that I discovered my passion for the energy sector, which ultimately led me to pursue a role on the Power, Utilities and Renewables Investment Banking team at Wells Fargo.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Ithaca’s landscape is incredibly beautiful, and I loved exploring it on hikes and runs with my dog through the Finger Lakes and around campus. During my time as a student, I ran a 50-mile ultramarathon and a full marathon in and around Ithaca. I’ll especially miss the peaceful mornings on the trails, taking in the gorges and lakes alongside my dog (Remi). 

What business leader do you admire most? The person I admire most is my dad, Ron Millward. While not a traditional business leader, he spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, dedicating much of that time to helping individuals recover from drug and alcohol addiction. He later founded his own company, where he trains first responders and law enforcement officers to handle a wide range of emergencies. What I admire most is not only his passion for his work and business, but also his unwavering presence in the lives of my siblings and me. I am incredibly grateful to call him my dad and will always look up to him.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? Johnson offers specialized courses such as AI Strategy and Applications, AI for Business Applications, and Designing and Building AI Solutions, which cover both the technical and strategic dimensions of artificial intelligence. The program also permits students to use AI tools in coursework, provided they adhere to each professor’s guidelines. This approach enables students to gain meaningful, hands-on experience with AI throughout their time at Cornell.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? It’s hard to single out just one person, as so many people have positively shaped my MBA experience including Jack Kremin, Ryan Lohin, Alec Rescigno, Lorenzo Di Blasio, Alyssa Neuberger, Adrienne Nave, Georgia Spatorico, and Anne Lin to name a few. That said, Arthur Lynch stands out. We bonded quickly over our shared experiences in Division I athletics and the Army, and he has always shown up for me. His ability to lead, build strong relationships, and deliver results is something I’ve respected from the very beginning.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? As I start my career in investment banking, my immediate goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, add value to the Wells Fargo team, and discover a genuine passion for the work. Looking further ahead, I envision creating a homestead in Appalachia where I can develop a self-sustaining regenerative farm and advocate for a healthier, more nature-driven lifestyle. Also, I want to coach a local youth sports team into a national powerhouse.

What made Ty such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?

“Ty represents the very best of Johnson’s pay-it-forward culture. In his first year, he immersed himself within the ecosystem with the goal of transforming from decorated soldier to investment banker. He leveraged his curiosity, intellect, humility, and perseverance, forged a strong network of support, and achieved his goal – a successful internship at a leading investment bank and a coveted offer to return full-time upon graduation.

Now in his second year, this lifetime servant leader has dedicated himself to helping the next team of IB aspirants achieve their own goals. Ty leads with empathy, support, care, and an elite sense of judgement and skill that has established him as one of Johnson’s all-time greats. Johnson, as a community, is better because of Ty, and the example he set this year will no doubt influence the next group of student leaders to reach even higher levels of success for years to come.”

Drew Pascarella
Senior Lecturer of Finance
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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