Crystal Law
New York University, Stern School of Business
Age: 38
“Motivated and thoughtful leader committed to continuous learning, personal growth, and paying it forward.”
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Family Members: Mom & Dad, boyfriend, and a supportive network of extended family and friends
Fun fact about yourself: I once performed in a Zumba flash mob during a WNBA halftime show.
Undergraduate School and Degree: NYU, Bachelor of Arts in Economics and French, Business Studies minor
Where are you currently working? Latham & Watkins, LLP – Associate Recruiting Specialist
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: Stern EMBA Ambassador (two semesters), Social Impact Scholarship recipient, Pay It Forward Scholarship recipient, UStrive Volunteer Mentor, Latham Office Leader of Asian and Pacific Islander Staff Group.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? (And why?) Being selected as an EMBA student ambassador by the administration. It has enabled me to share my journey, support prospective and incoming students, and give back to a community that has deeply shaped my business school experience.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? (And why?) I am most proud of being a Rising Star Award recipient, selected as one of five staff members across 113 U.S. offices at Junior Achievement USA, because it recognized my leadership, impact, and commitment to excellence.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? This was a difficult choice, so I selected two favorite professors because their courses challenged me in distinct and meaningful ways. Professor Ian D’Souza’s Behavioral Finance course deepened my understanding of investor behavior and financial markets.
Professor Helio Fred Garcia’s Crisis Management course stood out for its hands-on case analyses and the practical strategies we developed and applied.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose NYU Stern’s Executive MBA program to intentionally develop my leadership skills at the next stage of my career. I wanted to remain rooted in New York City, while expanding my professional network across industries and building relationships with my accomplished peers. The program aligned with my goal of pivoting from the nonprofit sector back into the corporate space, while strengthening my ability to lead with a strategic, global perspective. Through rigorous coursework in areas such as finance and communications, Stern has equipped me to think more holistically and lead with greater impact.
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 learning how to think more strategically and translate that strategy into action. I shifted from focusing primarily on execution to stepping back, assessing long‑term organizational goals, and evaluating trade‑offs. I apply this at work by reframing initiatives around broader impact, aligning stakeholders early, and developing clear roadmaps with measurable outcomes. This approach has strengthened decision‑making, improved execution, and enabled me to lead with greater clarity and influence.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? During my first year of the EMBA program, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for our Global Immersion Experience. I was only a few months into a new role and helping my parents care for my 91‑year‑old grandfather. Balancing these responsibilities required proactive planning, clear communication, and strong support systems. I aligned early with my manager to ensure continuity at work and coordinated closely with my family before traveling. This experience reinforced my ability to prioritize, adapt, remain calm, and prepare for any situation.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Believe in yourself, don’t overthink the timing, and just take the leap – the experience is worth it.
What was your biggest regret in business school? I wish I had pursued my EMBA sooner!
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? During my second year, I took several technology‑ and strategy‑focused courses that integrated AI topics and emerging trends throughout the curriculum. These courses strengthened my strategic mindset by demonstrating how AI can enhance decision‑making, efficiency, and leadership effectiveness. Using AI taught me how to leverage the tool as a strategic thought partner for accelerating analysis and sharpening ideas, while also reinforcing the importance of human judgment and responsible use. Coupled with AI trainings offered at work, I quickly expanded my ability to apply AI tools to daily tasks and both academic and professional projects, and I continue to actively explore new tools and trends to drive impact and innovation.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I explored several MBA options over a couple years before choosing an Executive MBA. At this stage in my career, it was important to continue working while pursuing my degree and immediately applying what I learned. I was also looking for an in‑person experience that enabled deeper relationship‑building and peer learning with a seasoned cohort of classmates, making it the best fit for my professional goals and leadership development.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long‑term professional goal is to grow into an executive leadership role at my current firm, deepening my work within early talent recruiting, training and development, or community engagement. I aspire to serve as a subject‑matter expert in program development, operations, and strategy, leveraging my Stern education and network to drive scalable, long‑term impact. In addition, I aim to serve on a nonprofit board that supports youth development to create positive change in my local community.
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