2025 Best & Brightest Business Major: Evan Kalish, Syracuse University (Whitman)

Evan Kalish
The Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
“I always have a positive attitude and a smile on my face!”

Fun fact about yourself: I am a huge foodie and love to eat and cook!

Hometown: Winnetka, IL

High School: New Trier High School

Major: Finance and Business Analytics

Minor: Public Health and Economics

Favorite Business Course: Financial Modeling with Professor Ravi Shukla

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurricular Activities:

Syracuse Hillel
President
FreshFest Co-Chair
FreshFest Leadership Committee
Community Engagement Intern
Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service
Balancing the Books Program Coordinator
Balancing the Books Site Coordinator
Balancing the Books Tutor
Professional Business Fraternity Delta Sigma Pi
Vice President of Philanthropy
Vice President of Professional Affairs
Martin J. Whitman School of Management
Whitman Undergraduate Board Member
Whitman Ambassador
Peer Mentor
Florence Study Abroad Program
Awards and Honors:

2025 Whitman Class Marshal
Whitman Scholar
Beta Gamma Sigma
Deans List
Where have you interned during your college career?

Deloitte Consulting (Chicago, IL), Business Technology Solutions Summer Scholar (Summer 2024)
Publicis Health (Chicago, IL), Business Management Intern (Summer 2023)
Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte Consulting, Business Technology Solutions Analyst

Who is your favorite business professor? Throughout my time at Whitman, I have had the privilege of learning from many amazing professors who have supported my academic journey and taught me valuable lessons for the business world. Among them, Business Analytics Professor Practice Penelope Pooler Eisenbies stands out as my favorite professor at the Whitman School. I have been fortunate to take a few classes with her and have truly learned a lot. She genuinely cares about her students and is deeply invested in their success in her courses and their careers.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The most important lesson I have learned from my education at the Whitman School is the importance of who you know. In the business world, your network is everything. Throughout my time at Syracuse, many Orange alumni have been influential in my early career exploration. Having a wide and diverse network has been invaluable for gaining different perspectives and learning lessons that shaped my professional journey. Building and maintaining relationships has provided me with opportunities for mentorship, growth, and support. I am proud to say I am Orange, and hope to give back to this network in my future.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? The best piece of advice I could give to a prospective business student is to be curious. Having an open mind to explore different curiosities is an incredibly important asset in business school. Find a passion and lean into it! Pursuing your unique interests will not only set you apart, but also will help you discover what excites you. Business is relevant to every industry and provides a foundation that is applicable to any field. Your curiosity will drive your learning and growth throughout your business education and career journey.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I have been fortunate to have an amazing experience throughout my time at Whitman and Syracuse University and am lucky to have no regrets. That being said, if I had more time, one thing I would do differently is explore non-business-related topics further. Due to consistent heavy courseloads, I did not take many classes that were not major or minor-related. I would like to continue to broaden my perspectives and add to my well-rounded education.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? All Whitman Seniors are required to take a Capstone Entrepreneurship class as a graduation requirement. In this class, students are tasked with creating a novel business idea and ultimately crafting a business plan to pitch to a panel of judges in a business case competition format. During this time, my professor encouraged our class to use AI for ideation, specifically in identifying current market trends and finding potential business opportunities. This integration of AI has proven to be incredibly helpful, as idea generation is a difficult part of the course.

One key insight I have gained through using AI is the importance of embracing technology to enhance creativity and problem-solving capabilities. AI can serve as a powerful tool while problem-solving, researching and innovating. This enables us to approach problems with a fresh perspective and develop more effective solutions. I am excited to see how AI will revolutionize the world and how I will utilize it in my career.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Throughout my college experience, I have gotten involved in many extracurriculars around campus which have helped shape the person I am today. One organization that has helped me find community and grow as a leader is Syracuse Hillel. In November 2023, I was selected as a Co-Chair to plan FreshFest, a three-day pre-orientation program for first-year students with Syracuse Hillel. FreshFest has always held a special place in my heart, as it was instrumental in helping me transition to college life when I first arrived at Syracuse University, offering support in a new and unfamiliar environment.

For ten months, I led a committee to plan and innovate FreshFest, aiming to create a fun and welcoming environment for the new first-year students. My Co-Chair and I dedicated countless hours, both during our semester abroad and after long days at our summer internships, to ensure that FreshFest would be the best it could possibly be. The program was not only incredibly successful, but also a deeply rewarding and fun experience.

Our hard work led to a few noteworthy accomplishments. First, our program set the national record for the largest FreshFest from any Hillel around the U.S. Additionally, we received an Excellence Award at Hillel International’s Global Assembly conference this past fall. It was immensely gratifying to create such a successful event and help make Syracuse feel like home for the incoming class of students.

Which classmate do you most admire? A significant aspect of business education at Whitman is group collaboration. Throughout the past few years, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people in my classes and group projects. One classmate whom I truly admire is Jared Dowling (’24). Jared and I first met in my first year in a global business class and we instantly became friends. He is one the brightest minds and hardest workers I have met throughout my time at Syracuse. I admire his ability to lead, motivate, and uplift everyone around him with his positive attitude. His dedication and passion to always do his best has motivated me to push my boundaries and strive for excellence.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Throughout my college experience, I have had the privilege of meeting many influential role models and mentors who have been instrumental in my ability to be successful. One of these individuals is my Career Advisor, Emily Shaughnessy. As a Freshman, I remember walking into her office with uncertainty about my future, but also excitement and ambition to find my path. From the very beginning, Emily has been incredibly supportive in helping me explore my career interests. Whether it was brainstorming companies that fit the intersection of healthcare and business, editing my resume, prepping for interviews, or discussing internship offers, Emily has helped guide me throughout my entire journey. I am incredibly grateful for her continued support and attribute my success to her!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? After I graduate, I hope to have a long and fulfilling career that excites me and continuously challenges me to learn and grow. The first item on my professional bucket list is to further explore the healthcare consulting industry. Throughout my college journey, I have developed a passion for public health and healthcare. I am excited to dive into this field, explore my curiosities, and find meaningful ways to make an impact in my career. Secondly, I intend to go to graduate school to deepen my knowledge and earn an MBA. I am excited to embark on my professional career with an open mind as my interests and goals evolve.

What made Evan such an invaluable member of the Class of 2025?

“It is with great enthusiasm that I recognize Evan Kalish as an invaluable member of the Class of 2025. Evan embodies the qualities of a truly outstanding student, leader and community builder, and has made a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom.

Academically, Evan has excelled as a dedicated and driven student, demonstrating an impressive ability to balance rigorous coursework with leadership responsibilities. As the leader of Balancing the Books, he has played a pivotal role in providing mentorship and financial literacy resources to local middle and high school students, equipping them with the tools to succeed. His commitment to education and service reflects his deep sense of responsibility and passion for helping others grow.

Beyond academics, Evan’s leadership as President of Hillel has strengthened and enriched the campus community. Under his guidance, Hillel has flourished as a welcoming and inclusive space where students can connect, celebrate, and engage in meaningful discussions. His ability to foster a sense of belonging and inspire those around him is truly remarkable.

Evan Kalish is more than just a high-achieving student—he is a leader, mentor, and role model who continuously strives to uplift those around him. His impact on the Class of 2025 and the greater community will be felt long after graduation, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our institution.”