Students in Oglethorpe’s MBA program, as well as several student-athletes interested in business careers, had the opportunity to hear from an entrepreneur and corporate leader when alumnus Brian Davis ’94 returned to campus.

Speaking to students, he shared his expertise from his career and his personal experience in finding balance and taking measured risks along the way.

Entrepreneur and corporate leader Brian Davis ’94 spoke with Oglethorpe business students and student-athletes about making informed decisions and taking risks in their own career journeys.

Davis has had a plethora of professional experiences over the last 30 years ranging from operating small businesses, consulting Fortune 50 CEOs and investing in disruptive technologies. He says he has relied on the core values of common-sense problem solving, going the extra mile and a relatable communication style in the wide variety of situations he has encountered.

In addition to the rigorous education he received at Oglethorpe, Davis holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. But he says he is most proud of his current role as father to his 11 and 14 year-old daughters and a supporter of his wife who is a successful technology and finance executive.

Davis believes that success, however, one might define it, is accomplished by the thoughtful passionate pursuit of goals and a little bit of luck, and he shared this message with Oglethorpe students. He utilized his experiences working for McKinsey & Company and Blackrock, as well as his time as a venture capitalist to offer perspective on building one’s own path toward success.

“One of the biggest take-aways from our conversation with Mr. Davis was how he encouraged us to take measurable risks early on in our careers because in doing so, it allows us to build the values of accountability, resilience, and self-confidence,” said Javier Martinez ’24, an economics and French double major and member of the men’s soccer team.

While a student at Oglethorpe, in addition to being an honor student and class president, Davis was an All-American and Academic All-American in basketball, and he is now a member of the OU Athletic Hall of Fame. In conversation with students, Davis relayed his perspective on resilience, and how this was fostered through his own experiences as a student-athlete. This skill has helped to propel him, as he forged his own professional path.

“The thing I enjoyed most from meeting with Mr. Davis was the insight he gave us into the athletic alumni community and how we can use it to aid in our career searches in the near future and beyond,” said Ellie Alfonso ’24, a business administration major and member of the women’s volleyball team.

The opportunity to hear from Oglethorpe alumni about their career journey, challenges and successes is a powerful one. Davis’s visit provided unique perspectives that were aimed at empowering students to make informed decisions and take risks in their own journeys.

“Alumni sharing their experiences with students is invaluable,” said Athletic Director Todd Brooks. “Their firsthand accounts not only help students navigate their own paths, but foster a stronger sense of Petrel Pride. It helps our students see that they can achieve great things with the skills they are gaining today as OU student-athletes.”