Poets & Quants Names Two Seniors Best and Brightest for 2020

Haley Pesce, and John Wen
Listen

Haley Pesce ’20 and John Wen ’20 represent Babson’s spirit of business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Both have had rewarding academic careers at Babson. Both are headed to leading companies after graduation. And now, both have been named to Poets & Quants list of 100 Best and Brightest Business Majors of 2020.

Ian Lapp, PhD, dean of the Undergraduate School at Babson also took notice. “From startups to the stage, strategy development to athletic performance—these two students are truly renaissance people,” he said.

Haley Pesce ’20

Haley Pesce came to Babson from Roxbury, Connecticut and concentrated in Marketing & Global Business Management.

Pesce is on the Varsity Field Hockey Team where she was named NFHCA All-Academic Squad (2016–2019), and NEWMAC All-Academic (2016–2019). She made the Dean’s List all semesters, and is a Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society Member.

Pesce volunteered and held many internships throughout her college career. After graduation, Pesce will join Toast Inc. as a business development representative.

Pesce came to Babson for its small size and emphasis on business.

“I love the tight-knit community that Babson has formed, and the fact that everyone at the school takes the same core curriculum created a very interactive and collaborative learning environment,” said Pesce.

Pesce also learned valuable lessons from studying business.

“I learned that business can be used in everything that you do. Whether you want to be an artist or a lawyer, a business background is extremely helpful,” she said.

Her advice for students looking to study business?

“DO IT! Even if you don’t know for sure what you want to do, business is the building block for everything and will contribute greatly to your future success,” said Pesce.

John Wen ’20

John Wen is from Brooklyn, New York. At Babson, Wen concentrated in Business Analytics and minored in Engineering. He is a first-generation college student.

Wen is a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was a new member educator, a Babson math resource consultant, and a member of the Babson Dance Ensemble. Wen made the Dean’s List six times, and received the Quantitative Methods for Business Analytics – Academic Excellence Award.

After graduation, Wen will join IBM as an associate product manager. “As a student who studies data analytics, I admire a company that is pioneering the future of AI,” said Wen.

Wen took many business lessons to heart while at Babson.

“Business is a vast field. It does not just include trading stocks or starting organizations. It is a field that includes marketing, operations, among others,” said Wen.

Wen also has advice for aspiring business students.

“Business is an expansive field. Look at what aspects of business interest you and start narrowing your focus as soon as you can so that you can sharpen the tools that will allow you to succeed in that field,” said Wen.

Wen dreams of starting his own company one day (and growing it and getting acquired), and also of becoming a professor to give back to the next generation. But, first, IBM.

Posted in Community

More from Community »

Latest Stories

Warren Buffett
Buffett Retires: Babson Professors Highlight Lessons from a Historic Transition Warren Buffett’s retirement is more than a milestone, Babson thought leaders say. It’s also a masterclass in thoughtful succession and cultural continuity.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
May 30, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Zainabou Thiam ’28 sits at a table selling products to waiting customers
Paying Homage to One’s Ancestors Through Entrepreneurship Zainabou Thiam ’28 was raised in the values of Senegal. With the help of Babson, she’s growing her venture, Sunu Body, an African-inspired skin care and wellness brand.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
May 29, 2025

Posted in Entrepreneurial Leadership

The champion tennis players pose for a photo with their trophies alongside their coaches
Repeat Champs: Babson’s Doubles Team Nets Second Tennis National Title Olivia Soffer ’25 and Matia Cristiani ’26 captured their second consecutive NCAA Division III doubles national championship in women’s tennis.
By
May 28, 2025

Posted in Community