Business Analytics Alumni Success

In-demand Across Industries

Our alumni have gone on to highly successful careers leveraging the knowledge and skills they have acquired, and applying it across industries and around the world. They are valuable assets to the companies and organization for which they work or consult, playing an instrumental role in improving decision-making and solving business problems through the use of data analysis, quantitative methods, and statistical models. Learn more about their professional journeys below.

Zahyra Ceballos, GABELLI ’23

Data Analyst, LexisNexis

Zahyra Ceballos didn’t take a typical path to a career in data analytics. She studied international relations as an undergraduate and worked as a legal analyst at a law firm. Despite her non-technical background, she always had been fascinated by the power of data and its potential to drive innovation and growth. This led her to enroll in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. Today, she is a data analyst for LexisNexis, a leading provider of legal, regulatory, and business information solutions.

Ceballos was impressed by the Gabelli School's reputation for producing top-notch business leaders with a strong foundation in data analytics. “I felt that the program's rigorous curriculum and hands-on approach to learning aligned well with my career goals and desire to gain practical skills in data analysis, machine learning, and data visualization,” she noted.

Hands-on explorations in machine learning were a highlight of Ceballos’ Gabelli School experience. “Engaging in machine learning projects allowed me to apply theoretical concepts to real-world business problems,” she asserted.

Ceballos also points to skills and knowledge she acquired in the Web Analytics, Big Data, and Database Management courses as being important assets in her daily work. “Web Analytics taught me how to use data to optimize website performance and user experience, which has been crucial in my role as a data analyst,” she noted. “Big Data and Database Management, on the other hand, gave me a deep understanding of data processing, storage, and retrieval, which are essential for any data analyst working with large datasets.”

The Gabelli School’s networking events enabled Ceballos to connect with industry experts and learn about emerging trends in data analytics. “Learning from industry experts who shared their insights and experiences was invaluable,” she commented.

Ceballos encourages MSBA students to embrace the networking and experiential learning opportunities that the program provides. “Stay curious and open to learning new skills and technologies, as the data analytics field is constantly evolving,” she concluded.

Yuqi Chen, GABELLI ’23

Senior Data Scientist, Omnicom Beauty Co-Lab

Yuqi Chen’s professional journey has taken her from finance to strategic consulting, where she applies analytical skills to enhance business strategies and financial performance. Chen currently serves as a senior data scientist at Omnicom Media Group, specializing in data transformation and machine learning to drive marketing insights in the beauty industry. She works in Omnicom’s Beauty Co-Lab, a bespoke unit that services L’Oréal USA.

Chen, who holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from NYU and a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, credited her experiences at the Gabelli School with being instrumental in shaping her professional path.

“Courses like Database Management, Data Mining, and Web Analytics have profoundly impacted my career,” she said. “The practical skills I acquired through the MSBA program have been vital. The hands-on training in SQL and machine learning has enabled me to tackle complex data challenges effectively, significantly contributing to my role as a data scientist.”

In addition to developing SQL and machine learning competencies, which are essential for data-driven decision making and predictive analytics, she graduated equipped with Selenium and Beautiful Soup skills that enhanced her ability to gather and analyze web data for strategic insights.

Chen believes she has benefited from having access to the Gabelli School’s extensive network of professionals and alumni. “This network has been pivotal in providing career insights and opportunities,” she stated.

Chen would advise MSBA students to actively engage in networking and take every opportunity to apply learned skills to real-world scenarios from Day 1. “The hands-on experience you gain will be invaluable in cementing your knowledge and enhancing your practical skills, making you a more effective and innovative professional.”

Yang Gao, GABELLI ’19

Ph.D. Student, Indiana University

Yang Gao is a second-year Ph.D. student at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. As a research associate in Kelley’s Data Science and AI Lab, she designs novel algorithms and artifacts to solve problems in business and society. Her research primarily focuses on leveraging reinforcement learning and adversarial machine learning algorithms in cybersecurity. And it all began at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.

Gao, who was a management major as an undergraduate, discovered her passion for research while pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) at the Gabelli School. “The MSBA program sparked my interest in research. Before joining the program, I had no plans to engage in research or to consider earning a Ph.D.,” she admitted.

The Web Analytics course was particularly formative for Gao. She learned a lot about Python programming and social network analytics, and in her second year, became a teaching assistant for the course. “I created teaching materials for data crawling lab sessions and even got teaching opportunities,” she said. “Without this course and the research opportunities my professor gave me, I wouldn't be working toward my Ph.D. today.”

The MSBA program offered Gao many chances to work on research and practical projects outside of class. She served as a research associate with Professor Yilu Zhou, applying web scraping and machine learning skills and publishing her first paper at an academic conference. Gao also took part in a web analytics project for the United Nations and participated in competitions during which she had the opportunity to present her work to professionals. “The faculty was very supportive, helping us join these projects and guiding us throughout,” she noted.

Gao says that she wasn't the only one inspired to pursue research. “Some of my classmates went on to become quantitative researchers at financial firms or machine learning researchers in academic labs after graduation.”

Jietong Guo, GABELLI ’21

Senior Associate, Data Scientist, JPMorgan Chase

As a senior associate and data scientist at JPMorgan Chase, Jietong Guo is responsible for managing and developing analytical tools and models with the purpose of growth and monetization. Guo, who holds a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, said that his graduate work prepared him well for the demands of his field.

“Data science is a complex field that consists of many technical skills. I’ve applied what I learned in almost every single subject I studied—database management, data mining, stat comp and text analytics, and even blockchain technology,” he said. “I was surprised at how useful they are in the real world of business, as well as in my current position.”

Guo chose the Gabelli School for its New York City location, as well as its extensive alumni network, practical curriculum, and distinguished faculty. “I was drawn to the opportunities and resources available in such a vibrant and dynamic business environment,” he remarked. “I felt the Gabelli School’s emphasis on experiential learning would provide me with valuable skills and knowledge to excel in my field.”

Guo served as a research assistant with Professor Robert Chiang and as a teaching assistant with Professor Jie Ren. “I experienced an exceptional level of dedication and support from the professors, who provided invaluable insights and guidance throughout my journey,” he commented.

Guo completed three internships during his graduate studies, gaining hands-on experience and learning about the applications of data science in different industries. “The Gabelli School prepared me well for internship interviews,” he asserted. “My professional experience and academic experience together helped me become a strong, competitive candidate beyond what companies needed for the roles in many cases.”

Jennie Le, GABELLI ’21

Data Scientist, Product Development, Arjuna Solutions

When Jennie Le was doing her research on business schools that offered a graduate program in business analytics, Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business stood out for its prime location and excellent reputation. Le had been told great things about the School by her friends who had studied there. “I heard the faculty was amazing, giving great guidance, opportunities, and resources for students to grow in their career path,” she said.

Le found out for herself when she enrolled in the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program in 2019. “The practical experiences in ‘learning by doing’ have been very beneficial for my career path in the long term,” she declared. “I learned to work in teams and utilize BI tools, and I mastered a couple of programming languages. Also, I worked with different faculty members on more complex projects, which was very valuable for building my professional skills.”

Le worked part-time in Fordham’s Data Science and Analytics Design Lab; interned as a data science and analytics associate at Alvarez & Marsal; and was a data analytics research assistant, collaborating with Professor Yilu Zhou and a multidisciplinary team to develop a fashion trend life cycle prediction system. One of the highlights of her time in graduate school was the March Data Crunch Madness Competition, an annual collaboration between the Gabelli School and Deloitte. “The event is fun, and allows you to showcase your skills, creativity, and analytical abilities to professionals in the business world.”

After graduating in 2021, she went on to assume a position as a data scientist/product development manager at Arjuna Solutions before transitioning to her current role as a data scientist at Smarsh, a leader in the enterprise information archiving space. As Le advances in her career, she continues to draw upon the lessons she learned and the growth mindset she developed at the Gabelli School. “I see the trends in the industry, and I know where I am, so I can improve myself along the way.”

Leonardo Luchetti, GABELLI ’21

Analytics Manager, Omnicom Media Group

While pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, Leonardo Luchetti interned at Omnicom Media Group. That internship led to a full-time job offer before he even graduated. Luchetti became a data analyst with Omnicom’s Marketing Science team, developing client-related solutions in the Attribution workflow for the U.S. Army, Infiniti, Cox Automotive, and Cole Haan. He went on to assume positions of increasing responsibility at Omnicom, taking on his current role as analytics manager in 2023.

Luchetti credits the Gabelli School with giving him the tools to build a successful career. “It’s incredible how much you gain by learning academic material while applying it to real-world scenarios,” he commented. “From open-ended projects to exciting competitions, the MSBA program provides you with all of the fundamentals to succeed in the world of analytics. You are constantly incentivized to be creative and use critical thinking for problem-solving, which is essential to becoming a great data analyst.”

Luchetti was active in student life at the Gabelli School. He served as a graduate peer advisor; vice president of technology for the Fordham Business Analytics Society; and vice president of community relations for Net Impact, a club that promotes socially responsible and environmentally sustainable practices in business.

Luchetti appreciates the sense of community he found at the Gabelli School. “Classmates are always interested in collaborating, professors are resourceful and available, and most importantly, alumni are happy to communicate with and help current students with their paths to success,” he concluded. “It is a wonderful environment to be in.”

Yifan Ren, GABELLI ’21

Ph.D. Student, Chinese University of Hong Kong

How is information technology changing our lives? Yifan Ren is currently exploring this question and more while pursuing a Ph.D. in decisions, operations, and technology at Chinese University of Hong Kong. But his passion for research first was ignited as a master’s student at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.

Ren, who earned a Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) from the Gabelli School in 2021, was particularly inspired by Professor Yilu Zhou. When Zhou introduced her most recent published paper in class, Ren was intrigued. He reached out to her and became involved in her research. “Being engaged in Professor Zhou’s work brought me into a new world,” he said.

The opportunity to work closely with professors who are renowned researchers in the field was a big draw for Ren. “The Gabelli School has a top group of management information systems and business analytics researchers who have published papers in prestigious journals and presented their work at major conferences,” he noted. “And the department offers a lot of paid opportunities for MSBA students to work with faculty members.”

Ren sees “so many exciting patterns in this field,” leading him to investigate topics ranging from bankruptcy predictions to the impacts of lockdown orders on content creation to the fashion life cycle on social media. He encourages MSBA students to give research a try and consider an academic path. “Break the stereotypes on Ph.D. life,” he advised.

Haodan (Helen) Tian, GABELLI ’21

Senior Data Analyst, Initiative

After earning a master’s degree in marketing at Johns Hopkins University, Haodan (Helen) Tian decided she wanted to focus on business analytics. The Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business—with its location in the heart of New York City and industry-relevant curriculum—was a perfect fit.

After completing her MSBA at the Gabelli School in 2021, Tian landed a position as a growth marketing analyst at Chefman. In January 2022, she moved to Initiative, a top global media agency, where she currently serves as a senior data analyst.

Tian feels that the courses she took at the Gabelli School have proven to be extremely valuable in her daily work. “These courses provided me with hands-on experience in using Python and SQL, which are closely related to the tasks I perform in my role,” she asserted. “By mastering these tools and understanding their underlying logic, I have significantly improved my work efficiency and enhanced my personal competitiveness in the workplace.”

Tian has utilized Python to build an automation workflow that collects data from multiple channels and cleans and transforms it, streamlining her team's processes and allowing them to analyze data more quickly and accurately, ultimately improving their decision-making abilities.

She also took advantage of the Gabelli School’s career services offerings. “The Student Success Center actively collaborates with enterprises to facilitate student internships and job opportunities, providing valuable resources to students as they begin their careers,” she said. During her time at the Gabelli School, Tian interned at KALO, Inc. and NovuGens, LLC, gaining resume-building, real-world experience in data analytics and business analysis.

Between the access to top companies and the opportunities to work and do research on campus, MSBA students have ample opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, which Tian sees as a major advantage. “The resources and vision of the MSBA program are noteworthy,” she asserts. “The academic quality and reputation of a program are paramount, and this program excels in both aspects.”

Konstantin Weis, GABELLI ’21

Senior Data Technology Consultant, Keyrus

Konstantin Weis is passionate about solving complex business problems with data. A recognized leader in the data visualization community, Weis is a senior data technology consultant at Keyrus US, where he handles end-to-end data and analytics projects, working with front-end and back-end tools. He also serves as a Tableau ambassador and leads the NYC Tableau User Group.

Weis first learned about Tableau during his graduate studies in business analytics at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. “The BAM class introduced me to Tableau, which has been a huge driver in my career,” he said.

Weis chose the Gabelli School based upon its location in the heart of the business capital of the world and its practical, career-focused curriculum. “The projects in almost every course allowed you to work on real-world problems,” he stated. He also gained hands-on experience and grew his network by participating in competitions and events that brought top companies to campus, including the NCAA March Data Crunch Madness Competition, which is co-sponsored by Deloitte.

In addition, Weis had the opportunity to play Division I soccer at Fordham. After excelling as the Rams’ goalie for a year, he put his business analytics knowledge to work as the team’s performance analyst. Weis created reports for matchday preparation, developed dashboards for daily monitoring, and implemented a performance system, improving winning percentage from 40% to 90% and reducing injuries by 20% YOY. He also did some coaching for Fordham and has played soccer professionally.

Weiss said that the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program introduced him to a range of technologies and techniques that he was able to leverage during his job search. “Looking back, it is incredible how much of the program I recognize in my job now on a daily basis.”