In this uncertain time, we look to academic and industry leaders to share their wisdom and help to guide our next steps. We reached out to some outstanding members of our esteemed community alumni at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics to share their experiences and guidance with our larger community. David Tinsley, UD Class of 2015, UD MBA Class of 2016, former UD football defensive lineman and vice president of small business marketing at JPMorgan Chase, sat down with Lerner to discuss lessons learned during the coronavirus pandemic, advice for his fellow Blue Hens and more.
Q: How have you and your company responded to the coronavirus pandemic?
Tinsley: As COVID-19 spread, our teams quickly went into research on the best path(s) forward to assist small business owners. With solutions that included short-term payment assistance and awareness around how to manage accounts virtually anywhere, our goal was to support small business owners and let them know we’re there to help.
Q: What are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned during this crisis?
Tinsley: The great lesson I learned was to challenge the routine. By collaborating across teams and lines of business we were able to expedite solutions and stand up marketing assets that would traditionally take months in a few days to help business owners.
Q: What pieces of advice do you have for fellow businesspeople?
Tinsley: Always lead with your “Why.” People in your organization want to help you and oftentimes just need to clearly understand your vision rather than your tactics.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at UD?
Tinsley: While at UD I had the privilege of being a student-athlete. Playing in front of my classmates on Saturdays will always be some of my most cherished memories.
Q: What pieces of advice would you give to current UD students?
Tinsley: Take risks. Accept challenges. You’re in a unique phase of your journey that allows you to gather experiences that can serve as lifetime lessons.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Lifelong Lerner?
Tinsley: It means being a part of a community, a family. No matter where I go on my journey, I make it point to make sure folks know that I went to the University of Delaware. Then, when encountering a fellow Hen, always part with a subtle, “Go Hens!”