Nicole Moore
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University
Program: Cornell’s Executive MBA Metro NY
“A growth-driven professional guided by grit, strategic execution, faith, kindness, and the power of relationships.”
Hometown: New York City, NY
Family Members: I owe deep gratitude to my parents, whose love, guidance, and unwavering support fueled my commitment to learning, building, and leading. I’m equally thankful for the encouragement and friendly competition shared with my brother and sister, and feel truly inspired by the energy and perspective my niece adds to my life.
Fun fact about yourself: As an undergraduate, I competed in three varsity sports—my first real crash course in time management, teamwork, and caffeine.
Undergraduate School and Degree: Amherst College, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and African American Studies
Where are you currently working? Citigroup Global Markets Inc. As a People 2.0 Consultant, I specialize in structuring and negotiating derivatives contracts for leading global financial institutions and alternative investment firms.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I am deeply committed to purposeful leadership, meaningful service, and continuous growth personally and professionally. My community involvement includes preparing and serving meals through community food service programs and serving as a Ruling Elder and Chair of key committees at First Presbyterian Church. I led alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives as an Associate Class Agent for Amherst College. I actively support the advancement of women in finance through my involvement with Women in Derivatives (WIND) and the Forté Foundation. To complement my legal and financial acumen, I’ve pursued advanced training through Practicing Law Institute courses, ISDA seminars, and SIFMA programs, all focused on complex financial documentation and market regulation. Outside of my professional pursuits, I’m passionate about contemporary art, running, yoga, sports, current events, and chess.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The most meaningful and rewarding extracurricular experiences have been my involvement with Big Red Ventures (BRV), Cornell’s student-run venture capital fund. As an associate, I’ve had the unique opportunity to evaluate high-potential early-stage startups, gaining firsthand experience in deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management. This role has deepened my understanding of the venture capital ecosystem and sharpened my ability to assess business models, founding teams, and market opportunities. At the same time, my participation in Gorges Ventures, a Cornell alumni-led investment club, has allowed me to stay connected to the broader entrepreneurial network and support Cornell-affiliated founders. These experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective on value creation—not only from the founder’s lens but also from an investor.
Equally meaningful has been the journey of launching my own blockchain-based derivatives startup and taking part in the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator. Stepping into entrepreneurship pushed me out of my comfort zone and equipped me with a new toolkit for building, testing, and iterating a business idea from the ground up. Through JSSA’s structured programming and access to mentors, I am working to transform a conceptual solution for inefficiencies in derivatives contracts into a viable venture model. The exposure to startup development from both sides—venture capitalist and founder—has fundamentally reshaped my understanding of business creation and early-stage value.
Further, being nominated for Poets & Quants’ Best & Brightest affirmed how transformative this journey has been, professionally and personally, thanks to the incredible relationships and support within the EMBA Metro NY 2025 cohort, academic, and administrative teams.
What achievements are you most proud of in your professional career? Throughout my career, I’ve led high-impact negotiations and strategic initiatives across top-tier financial institutions, including Citigroup, HSBC, and a $7B hedge fund. Most notably, I participated in the interest rate swap segment of a $320 million cross-border real estate deal, which generated fees 15% above average and solidified a key client relationship for Citigroup. As a trusted advisor across legal, trading, and risk functions, I’ve closed hundreds of derivatives agreements and structured complex financing and repo transactions. These experiences have sharpened my ability to drive value at the intersection of legal structuring, strategic execution, and delivering on client initiatives.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? Selecting a single favorite professor from my EMBA experience is no easy task, as each faculty member contributed meaningfully to my personal and professional growth. What truly distinguishes Cornell’s Executive Metro NY program is its ability to blend academic excellence with real-world insight—every professor brought not just theory, but actionable expertise that resonated with me as a working executive. While many left lasting impressions, I highly value the collective impact of a faculty whose teachings continually shape how I lead, think, and build. The decision to pursue an MBA while managing a demanding career was not taken lightly. The caliber of the professors confirmed I had made the right choice.
Professor Yaniv Grinstein: The Managerial Finance and Corporate Governance courses have deepened my ability to make informed, strategic decisions in investment settings. Managerial Finance strengthened my grasp of core financial principles—such as the time value of money, risk-return tradeoffs, and capital budgeting under uncertainty—while sharpening my ability to evaluate investment opportunities, analyze cash flows, and assess corporate value. The Corporate Governance course provided critical insights into mechanisms such as executive compensation, financial disclosures, and shareholder activism. Through real-world case discussions, including executive compensation litigation, I enhanced my ability to assess governance practices that align strategic decision-making with long-term value creation.
Professor Michelle Duguid: In Managing & Leading in Organizations, I sharpened my ability to lead effectively by focusing on three core competencies: critical thinking and decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and influencing and inspiring others. By understanding what successful leaders do, I am better prepared to lead people and create impact across entrepreneurial and high-growth ventures.
Professor Risa Mish: In the Critical Thinking for Business Leaders course, I refined my ability to think critically and make sound decisions in dynamic and uncertain environments. It also enhanced my capability to construct persuasive arguments and deconstruct complex issues, especially when navigating competing stakeholder interests. This disciplined approach to reasoning will strengthen my leadership effectiveness in both entrepreneurial ventures and investment decision-making.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose Cornell’s Executive MBA Metro NY program because it offered the ideal combination of academic rigor, schedule flexibility, and an inclusive, high-caliber community. Attending the open house at the Roosevelt Island campus solidified my decision, and I was impressed by the professionalism and warmth of the admissions team, the accessibility of the faculty, and the candid insights shared by current students and alumni. The every-other-weekend format allowed me to maintain my full-time professional responsibilities while fully engaging in a rigorous academic experience, and the in-person residential sessions, including time on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, provided a rich sense of connection to the broader Cornell community. The program’s Ivy League reputation, global perspective, and strong emphasis on team-based learning created an ideal environment for developing my leadership skills while expanding my network. The opportunity to learn from world-class professors and participate in a global immersion experience further aligned with my goals in finance, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, making Cornell the clear choice for advancing my personal growth and professional aspirations.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson I gained during my MBA was the ability to lead and collaborate effectively within diverse, high-performing teams, particularly under time constraints. Coming from a career where I often worked independently, the program gave me critical insight into my leadership style and the dynamics of team-based execution. Learning to identify individual strengths, delegate strategically, and take ownership of shared goals transformed how I approach collaborative work. I immediately applied these lessons in my role, leading cross-functional initiatives with greater clarity, communication, and impact, ultimately enhancing efficiency and outcomes in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. I learned to assess individual strengths, define learning agendas, and delegate responsibilities strategically to maximize individual growth and team output. These lessons were applicable at work, where I led cross-functional teams, mentored new joiners, and aligned tasks with each team member’s capabilities—ultimately improving productivity, cohesion, and overall performance.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? One of the most challenging yet defining periods of my Executive MBA journey came while serving as the primary caregiver for my aging parents and ultimately facing the unexpected loss of my father during the program. There were moments when I genuinely questioned whether I could continue. However, the unwavering support of my family, my faith, and the unexpected comfort of being in class with my cohort—along with the encouragement of the EMBA administrators and Cornell professors—provided a powerful sense of stability, community, and purpose that carried me through.
What also helped me manage the demands of school, work, and family was developing a disciplined routine—starting my days at 4 a.m. to focus on coursework before logging into work, which also had an early start. That early morning window became my most productive time, allowing me to stay on top of deliverables and have some flexibility during the evening hours. That routine, paired with my morning coffee, gave me a sense of control during an otherwise chaotic time and reminded me just how much resilience, focus, and support are built into the EMBA experience.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? If you’re considering an executive MBA program, my best advice is to believe in yourself, embrace the journey, and be intentional about building relationships. As an older student, never underestimate your ability to contribute meaningfully to dynamic classroom discussions—your professional experience brings invaluable insight and perspective. While the academic rigor and tangible skills you’ll gain are critical, equally important are the people, the culture, and the transformational growth that comes from being surrounded by peers with diverse backgrounds. Don’t overlook the power of the network, take time to connect meaningfully with your cohort, and remember that asking questions is a strength, not a weakness. There will be challenging moments as you balance work, school, and personal responsibilities, but those moments are often where the most growth happens. Choose a program not only for its brand, but for the community and support system it offers—and enjoy the ride. The investment is significant, but the returns in leadership, self-awareness, and opportunity are truly immeasurable.
What was your biggest regret in business school? My biggest regret in business school is that I didn’t discover the Cornell EMBA Metro NY program sooner. The experience has been nothing short of transformative—academically, professionally, and personally. From the caliber of the faculty to the strength of the cohort and the richness of the network, every aspect of the program has exceeded my expectations. Had I found this opportunity earlier in my career, I could have leveraged its insights, relationships, and resources to accelerate my impact and entrepreneurial pursuits even sooner. That said, I’m incredibly grateful to have taken this step when I did—it was the right program at the right time, and it has equipped me for the next chapter in my leadership career.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Selecting just one MBA classmate I most admire is a challenge, given the exceptional diversity, experience, and character of our cohort. However, one individual who truly stood out to me for his leadership and authenticity is Angel Audiffred. A media professional and our class representative, Angel served with remarkable poise and dedication, keeping us informed, celebrating our milestones, and lightening intense moments with his sharp wit and genuine empathy. His contributions in the classroom were consistently well-reasoned, offering spot-on insights that elevated our discussions. He delivered one of the most memorable class presentations of the program. Angel exemplifies what it means to lead with intelligence, purpose, and humility, and I feel fortunate to have shared this experience with him.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? A full-time Executive MBA was the clear choice for me because I wanted a truly immersive and transformative experience. Part-time or online alternatives lacked the structure, accountability, and in-person engagement I knew I needed to grow professionally and personally. I recognized early on that the classroom environment—learning alongside accomplished peers and engaging directly with top-tier faculty—would be just as impactful as the curriculum itself. The EMBA Metro NY format offered the ideal balance of academic rigor and collaborative, team-based learning, all within a schedule that enabled me to continue advancing in my career while pursuing my MBA education.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I financed my EMBA through personal savings and a graduate education loan, approaching the investment with strategic insight and financial discipline. I recognized early on that pursuing an Ivy League MBA would be a significant commitment of time and resources, but also one with a strong long-term return on investment, both professionally and personally. I carefully evaluated the timeline for repaying the loan and structured my financial planning around it, ensuring that the cost was manageable without compromising my current responsibilities or future goals. This program had long been on my professional horizon. Despite the tangible costs, the intangible value, in terms of expanded opportunities, leadership development, and lifelong connections, made the investment well worth it.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My ultimate long-term professional goal is to continue building a dynamic career in finance, leveraging the quantitative and strategic skills I’ve developed in the Cornell EMBA Metro NY program alongside the qualitative expertise honed through decades of experience in derivatives, structured transactions, and cross-border dealmaking. I aspire to lead at the executive level, drive innovation through entrepreneurial ventures, and help small and mid-sized companies discover their higher organizational purpose. The journey of launching my blockchain-based derivatives startup through the Johnson Summer Startup Accelerator fundamentally reshaped how I view early-stage value creation, deepening my desire to operate at the intersection of finance, strategy, and impact. Whether through future board service, public speaking, or venture investment, I am committed to sustaining a growth mindset and creating lasting value—for the businesses I lead, the entrepreneurs I support, and the communities I serve.
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