Making the Ladder Stronger for Those Who Follow

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Rice Business has given me far more than an MBA. It has given me a community of people who have challenged, encouraged, and supported me as I’ve grown, both personally and professionally. When I think about why I give back, I think first about those relationships and about the people whose generosity helped make my own Rice experience possible. Generations of alumni and supporters believed in this school and invested in students they might never meet. I want to carry that tradition forward.

For me, giving is both an expression of gratitude and a responsibility. It means helping the next generation of students discover the same opportunities, relationships, and sense of belonging that have meant so much to me. I know firsthand how much that support can change a person’s path.

My Rice Business education helped me grow as a leader and gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might not otherwise have considered. The classroom experience was invaluable, but the connections I made have been just as meaningful. Some of my closest personal and professional relationships began at Rice. And what makes this community especially remarkable is that my relationship with the school did not end when I graduated.

Rice Business has continued to invest in me, trusting me with opportunities to lead, serve, and grow in unexpected ways. Serving as president of the Rice Business Alumni Association and co- hosting Owl Have You Know have brought me closer to alumni across industries who are doing remarkable things. Those experiences have challenged me to become a better leader and reminded me how willing Rice alumni are to help one another succeed.

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That spirit of community is what makes me most proud of Rice Business. As I look ahead, I’m excited by the growth of the Virani undergraduate business program and the chance for more students to experience Rice Business earlier in their academic journeys. I hope that, even as the school’s reach and reputation grow, we preserve the close-knit, collaborative culture that makes this place so special.

I also see supporting Rice Business as an investment in Houston. Our city’s future will be shaped by the leaders, entrepreneurs, and ideas that institutions like Rice Business help develop. Every gift, regardless of size, creates opportunities for students and strengthens the community around us. And giving back can take many forms: mentorship, volunteering, recruiting, and philanthropy all matter.

I’ve always believed that if you’ve been fortunate enough to climb a ladder, you have a responsibility not just to leave it behind for those who follow, but to make it a little taller, a little sturdier, and maybe even put some flashing lights on it so more people can find it. That’s what supporting Rice Business means to me.