Alumnae spotlight

SWIB presents the Alumnae Spotlight, a new series where we highlight the stories of Stern Alumnae and share their experiences and advice. This series is in partnership with the Stern Women in Business Alumnae Group, whose mission is to sustain and advance a strong, active network of Stern women.

cathy choi, President at Bulbrite, MBA ‘96

What type of work are you involved in?

I am the President of Bulbrite, my 50 year old family business. Our company’s purpose is to bring beautiful light to life, and my role as the leader of the organization is to make sure our team works towards fulfilling this purpose every day. I am most proud of the team we have built and the very special culture we have created.

What is your favorite memory from Stern?

I was in a unique program that required working at a Big 4 accounting firm full time and attending classes at night and during the summer. My favorite class was Financial Reporting. It was completely new to me, considering that I graduated from Cornell with a B.A. in Theater. I felt like I was learning a foreign language!

Were you involved with SWIB as an MBA student?

SWIB did not exist in the 90s!

How did your MBA prepare you for your post-Stern career?

Getting my MBA at Stern gave me the critical business skills I needed. I was able to leverage the degree, in addition to my undergraduate studies, to eventually land a job at a movie production company as their Director of Finance & Operations.

What advice do you have for current SWIB MBA students?

Everyone's situation is so different. What I would tell my younger MBA self is that there is no straight path to success in business (or in anything). My career has taken so many twists and turns and all the experiences have shaped me into the leader I am today. So, be patient and make the most of every opportunity!

How did you get involved with the swib alumnae committee and What do you enjoy most about being a part of this network?

I joined the SWIB Alumnae Committee as it was being formed via an invitation from the development office. Joining re-established my connection to Stern. I currently serve as the Co-Chair. I love meeting new alumnae and really enjoy connecting with the students. I learn as much from them as they might from me - it is so energizing to meet the incredible women of Stern!

Fun Fact:

My favorite book is Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn

TO learn more about the swib alumnae group, please reach out to lg140@stern.nyu.edu