As the at 樱花动漫 celebrates the MBA Class of 2025, three graduates stand out not only for their academic achievements but also for the clarity of purpose and passion they bring to their work. Whether building businesses, shaping user experiences, or guiding families toward financial security, Gabriella Suriel, Yael Evgi, and Asher Brooks represent the best of Sy Syms: thoughtful professionals prepared to lead with integrity, innovation, and intention.
Gabriella Suriel: Designing with Strategy and Soul
blends creativity and business insight with rare precision. With a background in political science and a career in UX design, she creates digital experiences that are not only intuitive but strategic鈥攂ridging the gap between what users need and what businesses envision.
鈥淢y work sits at the intersection of design and strategy,鈥 she explains. 鈥淭he MBA allowed me to apply business theory in real-time, from enhancing UX to scaling my father鈥檚 international art business.鈥
Drawn to for its values-based approach to leadership, Gabriella found a program that helped her grow both professionally and personally. 鈥淚 now approach every challenge with both analytical precision and creative problem-solving,鈥 she says.
Her favorite course - Business Law, Regulation and Ethics - aligned perfectly with her undergraduate interests. 鈥淚t reminded me that leaders shouldn鈥檛 just ask what they can do鈥攂ut what they should do.鈥
She credits for sharpening her leadership mindset. 鈥淗e pushed us to think deeply and practically. His impact will stay with me for years.鈥
Gabriella closes her MBA chapter by expressing gratitude to her parents, Jacqueline and Moises, and to the musicians who kept her focused through late-night work sessions. 鈥淭heir support and creativity carried me through.鈥
Yael Evgi: Turning Purpose into Financial Empowerment
For , the MBA journey was about more than gaining business acumen鈥攊t was about turning mission into action. With a background in nonprofit communications and a leadership role in YU鈥檚 Office of the President, Yael brought her passion for purpose into every aspect of the program.
鈥淵U has always been home,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 chose because it teaches business through a lens of ethics and values.鈥
Now preparing to enter private wealth management at AllianceBernstein, Yael is eager to help others navigate their financial futures. 鈥淎fter seeing how a lack of financial literacy affected people around me, I became passionate about making finance accessible and human.鈥
Her favorite class, Leveraging Generative AI in Marketing, taught by , opened new doors. 鈥淚t helped me see how future-forward tools like AI can be relevant in any field鈥攊ncluding wealth management.鈥
She鈥檚 especially proud of her team鈥檚 work during the BYU case competition, one of the hands-on experiences that gave her confidence to pivot her career.
鈥淭o Dr. Tamar Avnet, Dr. Linda Driver, my family, and my classmates鈥攖hank you. Your encouragement helped me stretch, grow, and see what鈥檚 possible.鈥
Asher Brooks: Building Businesses鈥攁nd Community
came to with an entrepreneurial spirit and a vision for growth. With a background in marketing and a portfolio of startup consulting experience, Asher runs a media company and podcast studio based in Manhattan. For him, the MBA program was about becoming a more complete and capable business owner.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 do undergrad at YU, but when I found the MBA program, I knew it was the right fit,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t emphasized entrepreneurship, flexibility, and real-world learning鈥攅xactly what I needed.鈥
Asher鈥檚 favorite experience was the summer residency. 鈥淲e visited companies, spoke with founders, and spent time building relationships. It made everything feel more real and connected.鈥
He cites as a major influence. 鈥淗e brought real-world insight and pushed us to grow. I appreciated that.鈥
From financial accounting to business law, Asher now feels better equipped to lead. 鈥淓ven if I don鈥檛 use every skill daily, I can budget smarter, work better with accountants, and communicate clearly with my team. I鈥檓 more well-rounded as a business owner.鈥
Above all, he鈥檚 thankful for the program鈥檚 flexibility. 鈥淏alancing work and school wasn鈥檛 easy. When I needed a break, Linda and the program directors were incredibly supportive. That made it possible for me to finish strong.鈥
A Shared Legacy of Purposeful Leadership
Gabriella, Yael, and Asher each took a different path through the Sy Syms MBA program, but they share a common thread: a commitment to values-driven leadership, real-world impact, and lifelong learning. As they move forward into new ventures, their time at Sy Syms will continue to shape how they lead, serve, and innovate in the years to come.
Congratulations to the entire MBA Class of 2025鈥攜ou鈥檝e set a powerful example for what it means to lead with purpose.
To find out more about the Sy Syms MBA program please visit or email Linda Driver at Linda.driver@yu.edu
