When Bryan Baker (Class of 2025, Entrepreneurship and Finance major) arrived at the University of Dayton from Joliet, Illinois, he found a community that challenged him to lead, serve and grow.
Baker immersed himself in campus life through organizations like Flyer Enterprises, Alpha Kappa Psi, Dean’s Ambassadors and Flyer Angels. Today, he serves as Operations Manager for Elevate Private Wealth Management outside Chicago and reflects on the experiences and people that shaped his journey.
What originally drew you to the University of Dayton and the School of Business Administration?
From the second I stepped on campus, I knew something was different. I always thought I was going to go to a very large school because that’s what everyone around me was doing. But at Dayton, I realized this was a place where you could truly leave a legacy - where it was encouraged to leave a legacy.
It was the first place where I didn’t feel like I was going to be just another number in a seat. Dayton genuinely wants what’s best for its students. Everything they do is designed to help students grow personally and professionally and give them opportunities they might not otherwise have.
What are you doing now, and how did UD help prepare you for it?
I’m currently the Operations Manager for Elevate Private Wealth Management, a boutique wealth management firm in Illinois. We help hardworking families live their life well-planned.
Because we’re a small business, everyone wears a lot of hats, and I love that. My role dips into finance, marketing, our people, general operations and business development. Every day is different.
UD prepared me tremendously for that environment. Through my leadership roles, internships and entrepreneurship experiences, I learned how to communicate well, stay organized, adapt quickly and lead confidently — even when I don’t have all the answers yet.
Dayton taught me to trust that I can learn, grow and figure things out. UD also taught me that anything worth having requires hard work, sacrifice, and devotion to your craft.
You were involved in so many organizations on campus. Which experience shaped you the most?
Alpha Kappa Psi had the biggest impact on me because it taught me how to work toward something bigger than myself.
During my time as President, I wasn’t just thinking about my own college experience anymore. I wanted to create the best possible experience for 200 other students in our organization. That completely changed my perspective on leadership and service.
That opportunity helped me realize what energizes me most: helping other people reach their full potential. That’s something I now carry into my career and my relationships every day.
How would you describe the community within the UD School of Business Administration?
The first word that comes to mind is contagious.
I’ve never been part of another place where people were so motivated to help each other and build meaningful things together. The energy and ambition around you pushes you to become better.
Whether it was classmates, roommates, faculty or student organizations, everyone was striving to become the best version of themselves and encouraging others to do the same. I found that this kind of environment changed the way I thought about my work, relationships and future.
What skills from UD do you use every day in your career?
Leadership and communication are probably the biggest.
In my role, I communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds, and Dayton prepared me well for that. I also learned prioritization, organization and goal setting.
At Dayton, there are endless opportunities. You have to learn how to manage your time, identify what matters most and stay focused on long-term goals. Those are skills I use every single day now.
Was there a challenge during your time at UD that helped you grow?
Definitely learning that I couldn’t do everything.
I came into college ambitious and wanting to be involved in as much as possible. Eventually, I realized I was spreading myself too thin and running out of energy to give my best effort to the things I cared about.
That forced me to learn how to say no, prioritize my health and be more intentional with my time. I realized that if you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t show up fully for your work, your relationships or your leadership responsibilities.
That lesson still impacts how I approach life today.
How did your Marianist education prepare you to lead for the common good?
Dayton taught me that leadership is ultimately about service.
Shortly after graduation, I joined the board of a nonprofit called Team Make a Difference, which helps families facing illness or hardship by remodeling spaces in their homes to create hope and comfort.
That mindset came directly from Dayton. The Marianist values instilled in me that success is not just about your career or income. It’s about how many people you help along your journey.
What advice would you give current UD business students?
Take advantage of everything.
These four years can be some of the most transformative years of your life, but nobody is going to force opportunities on you. Dayton gives you the tools, the people and the experiences — you just have to say yes to them.
I’d also encourage students to relentlessly pursue their purpose. Find what you genuinely love doing and what you’re naturally good at. Once you find that, everything else starts to fall into place.
What would you say to a prospective student or parent considering UD?
If you want a university that truly puts students first and gives them the tools to succeed, Dayton is that place.
For parents especially, I’d say the people at Dayton are what make it special. The relationships students build here last far beyond graduation. The university continuously invests in students and creates an environment where they can thrive personally, professionally and academically.
You cannot pay me to change my decision to come to Dayton.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in five years?
Truthfully, I’m blessed that I don’t know exactly where I’ll be in five years. Zig Ziglar put it better than I ever could, “You can have everything in life you want if you just help enough other people get what they want.” I first heard that years ago and it’s never left me because it describes exactly the life I’m trying to build.
Professionally, I hope to continue growing with Elevate, eventually stepping into a financial planning role where I can sit across from clients and help them turn their goals into reality. I’m excited to help take what we’ve built and bring it into new communities and to new families.
Personally, I hope to be starting a family and continuing to serve through local organizations like Team Make a Difference, which holds a special place in my heart.
Wherever I am and whatever I’m doing, I’m committed to being someone others can count on and someone who made a difference for the people around him. That’s what drives me and I don’t see that ever changing.
