As the at Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» 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—bridging the gap between what users need and what businesses envision.
“My work sits at the intersection of design and strategy,” she explains. “The MBA allowed me to apply business theory in real-time, from enhancing UX to scaling my father’s international art business.”
Drawn to for its values-based approach to leadership, Gabriella found a program that helped her grow both professionally and personally. “I now approach every challenge with both analytical precision and creative problem-solving,” she says.
Her favorite course - Business Law, Regulation and Ethics - aligned perfectly with her undergraduate interests. “It reminded me that leaders shouldn’t just ask what they can do—but what they should do.”
She credits for sharpening her leadership mindset. “He pushed us to think deeply and practically. His impact will stay with me for years.”
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. “Their support and creativity carried me through.”
Yael Evgi: Turning Purpose into Financial Empowerment
For , the MBA journey was about more than gaining business acumen—it was about turning mission into action. With a background in nonprofit communications and a leadership role in Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»â€™s Office of the President, Yael brought her passion for purpose into every aspect of the program.
“Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» has always been home,” she says. “I chose because it teaches business through a lens of ethics and values.”
Now preparing to enter private wealth management at AllianceBernstein, Yael is eager to help others navigate their financial futures. “After seeing how a lack of financial literacy affected people around me, I became passionate about making finance accessible and human.”
Her favorite class, Leveraging Generative AI in Marketing, taught by , opened new doors. “It helped me see how future-forward tools like AI can be relevant in any field—including wealth management.”
She’s especially proud of her team’s work during the BÂ鶹´«Ă˝Ół» case competition, one of the hands-on experiences that gave her confidence to pivot her career.
“To Dr. Tamar Avnet, Dr. Linda Driver, my family, and my classmates—thank you. Your encouragement helped me stretch, grow, and see what’s possible.”
Asher Brooks: Building Businesses—and 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.
“I didn’t do undergrad at Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół», but when I found the MBA program, I knew it was the right fit,” he says. “It emphasized entrepreneurship, flexibility, and real-world learning—exactly what I needed.”
Asher’s favorite experience was the summer residency. “We visited companies, spoke with founders, and spent time building relationships. It made everything feel more real and connected.”
He cites as a major influence. “He brought real-world insight and pushed us to grow. I appreciated that.”
From financial accounting to business law, Asher now feels better equipped to lead. “Even if I don’t use every skill daily, I can budget smarter, work better with accountants, and communicate clearly with my team. I’m more well-rounded as a business owner.”
Above all, he’s thankful for the program’s flexibility. “Balancing work and school wasn’t easy. When I needed a break, Linda and the program directors were incredibly supportive. That made it possible for me to finish strong.”
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—you’ve 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
