Nathan Patrick Garlock
Columbia Business School
Age: 33
“Driven, innovative professional; devout Christian; passionate about finance, community, and our planet’s future.”
Hometown: University Place, Washington
Family Members: My wife, Elisabeth, who is expecting our second child in September, works at the Government Accountability Office in Washington, DC. Our three-year-old son, Graham, has a passion for balls, scooters, and dancing to Coldplay. I am originally from Tacoma, Washington, and come from a family with a strong background in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Fun fact about yourself: In the summer of 2019, I spent a month in the refugee camps on the Thailand-Burma border, participating in research and staff training alongside the State Department, UNHCR, the University of Utah, and my wife.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Brigham Young University – BA, French
Where are you currently working? Rubicon Carbon, Director of Operations
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles:
- Class Community Representative
- TA for Introduction to Private Equity
- Member of the Private Equity Club
- Member of the Venture Capital Club
- Member of the French Club
- Member of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Club
- VP of External Affairs, West Coast Society
- VP of Finance, Basketball Club
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of serving as the class community representative, where I had the honor of hosting the unique CBS Matters event each week alongside the amazing Emily Hecht. This event allowed students to share their personal values, stories, and experiences in 15-minute presentations, fostering a deeper sense of community and connection among classmates. Additionally, I cherished the experience of playing basketball at Barclays Arena, home of the Brooklyn Nets, in a friendly game against NYU. Both experiences were incredibly rewarding and memorable, highlighting the diverse opportunities available during my time at business school.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I am most proud of participating in the founding and scaffolding of Rubicon Carbon. It was incredibly rewarding to establish systems and processes, and to develop a shared vision with leadership and other founding team members alongside TPG. During the early days, I rapidly learned about the carbon credit market and gained valuable insights into how companies scale quickly. This experience was instrumental in my professional growth and deepened my understanding of entrepreneurship.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? While I had many wonderful professors, including Donna Hitscherich, Aamir Rehman, and Glenn Hubbard, my favorite was John Donaldson. He had an exceptional ability to make Microeconomics and Macroeconomics accessible through his wit and humor. His engaging teaching style made complex concepts easy to understand and enjoyable to learn. He is retiring this year, and while he will be greatly missed, I wish him a very enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose Columbia’s EMBA program for three reasons. First, its location is unparalleled, offering the vibrancy and opportunities of New York City. Second, this prime location provides incredible access to an elite network, allowing for easy and frequent in-person interactions. Lastly, Columbia’s partnership with London Business School enhances the program’s international scope, creating an immersive and diverse class cohort that enriches the learning experience. Bonus: the admin staff was exceptional in putting together enjoyable class activities and making class recommendations. They worked tirelessly to make our experience unforgettable like the Gala, holiday parties, International Seminars to South Africa and Argentina, and the fun Broadway shows!
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family, and education? During the first six months of my EMBA program, I was commuting every Friday night from Washington, DC, and returning every Saturday night after class so that I could attend church on Sunday morning. This routine was exhausting, and I soon realized I wasn’t getting the full value of the experience. Additionally, I was juggling this with my responsibilities to my wife and infant son. To better integrate my personal life and classmate interactions, I decided to move to NYC. This move significantly enhanced my overall experience, allowing me to balance my commitments more effectively and spend valuable time with my classmates after school on Saturday nights.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Choose your focus: either pursue the program to gain a specific skill or go with the intention to explore and broaden your horizons. Trying to do both simultaneously can be overwhelming and counterproductive.
What was your biggest regret in business school? Not moving to NYC sooner to fully immerse myself in the relationships with classmates and professors. I wish I had taken more time to get to know the professors better and had the opportunity to TA for more of their courses.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Scott Lyons. He served in the military as a medical professional, faced the challenges of battle, and has come back to reinvent himself by pursuing an MBA. Scott is entrepreneurial, kind, and genuinely funny. His wise counsel and unique perspective have been invaluable to me and many others in our cohort.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an executive MBA program for its strong cohort experience, the flexibility to take various class formats and cross-register with other schools at the university, and the invaluable in-person connections that forge lifelong friendships and collaborative opportunities, including the pursuit of startups together.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to raise a fund and become a full-time holding company investor, managing, and growing a diverse portfolio of businesses that drives positive impact in the world.
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