Lisa Quach, BPE '15
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Queens, New York and attended NYU as a first-generation college student. Growing up, my mom owned a small business focused on international trade. That gave me firsthand exposure to globalization and the world of commerce. When applying for college, the BPE program felt like the perfect fit — a unique experience at the intersection of business, politics, and globalization. I still live in Queens, with my partner. In my free time, I enjoy running, traveling, and exploring local eateries in New York.
What is your current professional role?
Business Strategy Manager at Accenture
Could you walk me through your career trajectory after graduating from BPE?
Since graduating from NYU, I leveraged my college experience to work at large global organizations in the communications, media, and tech industries. I first joined Vodafone, one of the world's largest telecom companies, in a leadership rotation program. It was exciting to work for an internationally focused business that was operating as a startup, but was backed by one of the world's largest brands. I enjoyed the thrill of helping to launch Vodafone's US presence and understood consulting would provide a constant fast-paced environment to learn about different industries. I then worked as a management consultant at PwC, QVest, and eventually Accenture, where I've helped to define growth strategies and launch new products in the video streaming and smart TV space. At Accenture I'm also heavily involved in the Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.
What stands out to you most about your BPE experience?
My BPE experiences instilled in me a sense of constant curiosity. Through BPE courses, classroom conversations, and global travels, I've learned never to take things at face value: we should always challenge our own assumptions and biases when we tackle new problems, whether it is at work, in our personal lives, or when reacting to what's happening in the world around us.
What advice would you give to current BPE students?
Enjoy every moment of your college experience and seek out experiences that will take you out of your comfort zone!
How was your study abroad experience?
I spent my entire sophomore year in London and my junior fall semester in Shanghai. It was amazing to study and live in three of the world's greatest cities and engines of commerce: London representing the past, New York the present, and Shanghai which is a growing force on the global stage. Each location provided amazing opportunities to immerse myself in history, culture, arts, and learning — whether it was backpacking across Morocco, visiting Yunnan in China, or exploring Venice during Carnevale. Studying abroad opened my eyes to how vast and diverse the world is and helped me appreciate the cultural differences that make each place thrive.
How have you found the BPE community, both as a student and now as an alumna?
What I love most about BPE is the community. I met many of my closest friends through BPE. As a student, I appreciated that upperclassmen and alumni were always available to help students with career advice and support. As an alumna today, it's really important to me to pay it forward and help future generations whenever I can!
