Stephanie Alexander ‘98, ‘12

Where you've been in your career and where you are going ...

I utilized Virginia Tech's MBA program to kick-start my first company. The program was influential in my business plan and helped set the stage for success. Fast forward six years, and I felt comfortable enough to start my second company with my co-founder. I have plans for at least two more in my future, leveraging my lessons learned in entrepreneurship to scale quickly.

The work project/initiative you're most excited about ...

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching people grow their companies. I was put on this earth to help people grow and scale organizations. I'm passionate about sharing lessons learned and helping folks navigate the ups and downs of their businesses.

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline?

Growing and scaling companies for a better tomorrow while solving the hard problems.

How Virginia Tech equipped me for the real world ...

I used every opportunity in my executive MBA program to plan for the launch of my first business. Every group project, every paper, every assignment was about my real-life career and helped set the stage for my success.

A key habit, practice, or skill, that's worth the effort ...

Know yourself. If you are a morning person, use that time for the big thinking that you need to do. Schedule time on your calendar to go offline and think about the hard things, to brainstorm, to solve problems. The same holds true if you are a night owl. Use your personal body rhythm to your advantage and recognize that is the most valuable time of the day. Don't let meetings overtake your most creative time.

Best part of being a Virginia Tech alum ...

Hokies generally want to help each other. We connect on our common bonds and want to help others who came before and those who came after us.

Biggest misconception about my job or industry ...

Government contracting is always boring or behind the commercial industry by decades. Some days, this feels true. But there are innovative new things popping up all the time to help support the war fighter or to tackle hard issues such as education, the environment, etc.

A cause I'm most passionate about ...

Helping others grow and scale their companies. I believe if you can build companies that matter it filters down to employees who matter. From there, it's building a workforce that cares about its mission.

The most formative experience I've had ...

Studying abroad was probably one of the most eye-opening opportunities that I've had the privilege of doing. Prior to my semester abroad, I had no idea that a world existed beyond the U.S. Being exposed to different cultures, different practices, different languages has influenced my life.

The most courageous thing I've done ...

Started my own company with zero clients, zero employees, and zero outside capital.

If I had a superpower, it would be ...
Transporting to the time and location of my choosing.

My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song ...
"Mama Said Knock You Out," by LL Cool J.

Last book I read ...
"In Defense of Witches," by Mona Chollet.

Top of my bucket list ...
All the travel, all the time!

Something very few people know about me ...
I'm a certified Kansas City BBQ judge (from a million years ago).