At the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, students are encouraged to reach their full potential through challenging and creative classes, programs that cater towards their skills, and a supportive environment that allows students to become the best they can be.
Gregory Toye graduated from Lerner College in 2017 with a bachelor of science degree in finance, as well as a minor in economics. Toye now lives in Washington, D.C. where he is the associate director and head of analytics at Rivel, Inc. He recently received an award as NIRI named him one of the 2024 Rising Leaders Under 40.
Toye participated in the Outstanding Lifelong Lerner series by sharing his own experiences as a Lerner alumnus while also giving advice to current UD students.
Lerner: Why did you decide to pursue your program at Lerner College?
Toye: I chose to pursue my program at Lerner College after experiencing several eye-opening economics and business classes during my freshman year at UD. I was captivated by the dynamic business world and content clicked, so I was fortunate to have been able to commit to it from being undecided.
Lerner: What did you learn through this opportunity that you wouldn’t have learned anywhere else?
Toye: Interdisciplinary knowledge from finance, economics, and especially corporate governance which included a mix of corporate securities law.
Lerner: Please share an example of a course or concept that you were able to apply directly to your life and/or career.
Toye: The advanced finance-corporate governance class fascinated me and led me to an internship at Lerner’s John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. These coursework and job experiences in tandem taught me skills that I continue to apply today.
Lerner: Describe an important connection you have made through your program (personal, professional, peers, mentors, professors, etc.)
Toye: It’s difficult to name one. Through the internship I mentioned, I connected with Professor Charles Elson (executive director) and Ann Mule (associate director) who’d been in leadership roles at the Weinberg Center. They are recognized corporate governance experts, practitioners, and all around great people. I also had the privilege to work with Louisa Cresson, Gerri Melascaglia, and others. Everyone was a tremendous mentor.
Lerner: If you were to describe your classmates in one word, what would that be and why?
Toye: “Daring.” It seemed that everyone I interacted with was ready to embrace a challenge.
Lerner: Fill in this sentence: “My program helped me become…”
Toye: A more well-rounded professional.
Lerner: What piece(s) of advice would you give to current UD students?
Toye: Apply yourself to your passion and don’t shy away from networking.
Lerner: What are your professional plans or next steps for the future?
Toye: Continuing education is a key part of future plans. I’m particularly enthusiastic about applying the comprehensive investment management and financial analysis knowledge that I’ve gained from pursuing the CFA charter into real-world practice.
Lerner: What piece(s) of advice do you have for fellow businesspeople?
Toye: Let your personality shine.
Lerner: What does it mean to you to be a Lifelong Lerner?
Toye: Staying curious and willing to continually learn and expand your knowledge.