An Innovative Undergraduate Class, “The Start-Up Called You,” Features Alumni Guest Speakers Who Share Their Wisdom and Offer Career Insights

Undergraduate | Apr 25, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business

The Gabelli School of Business Leading People and Organizations (LPO) area class, “Personal Development: The Start-Up Called You,” continues to leave a lasting impression on students through dynamic, interactive sessions created and led by Clinical Assistant Professor Michelle Weber, Ph.D. The course, rooted in Cura Personalis—the Jesuit value emphasizing care for the whole person—focuses on personal discovery and meaningful career development.

Conrad Greiner-Bechert (GABELLI’14)

Rather than follow a rigid career plan, students are encouraged to embrace career exploration as a process of self-awareness and reflection. Open to juniors and seniors from across all Fordham schools, the course equips students with the tools and strategies to better understand their unique talents, values, and aspirations.

A central and impactful element of the course is the involvement of recent alumni speakers who share honest, engaging stories of their career paths and personal growth. These individuals offer relatable insights, practical advice, and a reassuring reminder that uncertainty and change are natural parts of the journey.

Conrad Greiner-Bechert (GABELLI’14): A Bold Career Across Continents

On February 11th, the class welcomed Conrad Greiner-Bechert, a charismatic alumnus who graduated from the M.S. in business enterprise from the Gabelli School and is currently chief of staff at Neodyme AG, a security research and smart contract auditing firm based in Europe.

Born and raised in Germany, Greiner-Bechert studied philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of York in the U.K. From a stint in selling encyclopedias door-to-door after college to advising multinational corporations on their marketing strategy and now being involved at the bleeding edge of IT security in the domain of blockchain applications and cryptocurrencies, his story is a testament to grit, adaptability, and the power of saying “yes” to new opportunities.

Students were especially struck by Greiner-Bechert’s reflections on growth, boldness, and initiative. “I appreciate how he is clear about how growth is progress. He said you should work from being an invitee to a facilitator—and that if you want to get somewhere, you have to stack the odds in your favor,” noted Aarav Panday, who is earning a B.S. in business administration, with concentrations in management and marketing.

“Greiner-Bechert’s story reminded me that being bold and asking for what you need can take you far—like when he asked to stay in a church guest room or turned a conversation into a job interview on the spot,” commented Antonio Myrie, a business administration major, with a concentration in management.

“His nonlinear path—from consulting to automation, and now to tech and security—showed us that career growth can take unexpected, exciting turns,” added Gesni Vilfort, a business administration major, with a concentrations in management and information systems.

Patrick “P.J.” Rodden (GABELLI’22) Zooms in from Japan

Another outstanding guest lecture featured Patrick Rodden, a B.S. in business administration alumnus who is working as a senior brand partnership associate at Canal, a digital merchandising tech company. Participating via Zoom from Japan, Rodden brought a fresh and thought-provoking perspective to the class.

His presentation, “How to Win Your 20s,” encouraged students to shift focus from overplanning to building momentum. He stressed the importance of problem-solving over simply completing tasks and challenged students to follow their curiosity unapologetically. Rodden emphasized that momentum exceeds direction and reassured students that they don’t need the “perfect” plan, but that they should instead move forward and build critical skills.

He spoke about the dangers of fake progress and how to avoid it—like doing things that feel productive but don’t actually grow your skill set. By sharing his personal story—including having a job offer rescinded and pivoting into AI—Rodden connected with students facing some of the same challenges as they consider their next career move. He encouraged them to worry less about taking a straight path towards their career goals and focus more on resilience, adaptability, and self-trust.

Alumni Panel Brings Diverse Career Stories to Life

On February 28th, the class hosted a panel of accomplished alumni representing diverse industries and backgrounds, including Dean Lucas (GABELLI’20), business operations manager at AIR COMPANY, Mary Beth Gambke (GABELLI’13), SVP, partnerships and marketing at Barstool Sports, and Tyler Eufer (GABELLI’20), assistant VP at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The panel offered invaluable advice, ranging from navigating early career uncertainty to succeeding in competitive industries like sports media and finance. Gambke shared her story of helping build the entire partnerships team from scratch at Barstool Sports, demonstrating that her role extends far beyond media. Lucas described how career setbacks can open opportunities for better paths, reframing rejections as redirections. Eufer’s reflections on consulting and the importance of being adaptable gave students insight into how to build a foundational skill set that will help them to prepare for the unexpected and pivot when needed.

Students left the session energized by the speakers’ authenticity and empowered by their examples of courage, creativity, and initiative. With each guest speaker’s visit, students were reminded that career discovery is not about having all the answers—it’s about being open to exploration, learning from experience, and trusting your own voice.

Written by: Michelle Livingston, associate director of communications, Fordham University Gabelli School of Business