Hannah Rubinstein (BSM '25)

Name: Hannah Rubinstein

Hometown: Millburn, New Jersey

Major: Finance and Studio Fine Art (Concentration in Glass)

Minor: N/A

Post Graduation Plans: Citi, Corporate Banking Analyst in Global Networking Banking Group, New York, NY.

Freeman Activities: Crawfest (Director of Finance & Sponsorship Manager), Burkenroad Equity Analyst, Tulane Fund Engagement Center (Engagement Ambassador), Peer Mentor, Alpha Kappa Psi, TU Thrift Club (Co-President), Green Wave Ambassador, Study Abroad, Evelyn & Billy Burkenroad Scholarship, Todd G. Schwartz Scholarship, Best Business Presentation (Aaron Selber, Jr. Hedge Fund), Dean’s List. 

Favorite Business Course: Business, People, and Profit (Colloquium) with Professor Peter Ricchiuti. This was my first real exposure to business, where I got to hear from guest speakers and learn from my professor, especially through the lens of New Orleans and entrepreneurship. Through this course and my conversations with Professor Ricchiuti, I realized I wanted to major in finance. He gave me the confidence to trust my intellectual curiosity and pursue it.

Favorite Business Professor: I first encountered the incomparable Mara Baumgarten-Force in my Intro to Financial Management course. During that semester, she met with me one-on-one, connected me with high-level finance professionals, offered invaluable career and life advice, and even gave me loose-leaf tea—my favorite beverage at the time. While she taught me about finance, what she truly gave me was the confidence and resources to succeed. 

At a time when I was searching for a role model—someone who understood what it meant to succeed as a woman in finance – Mara was there to provide guidance. Having worked for eighteen years in the industry, she truly got it. In her upper-level course on Hedge Funds, I elevated my presentation skills, but that Intro course taught me a lesson I’ll never forget: the people who succeed are the ones who stay true to themselves. Mara is incredibly honest, funny, and supportive. I was lucky to experience that not just as her student, but as a mentee—alongside many of my peers.

Academic, extracurricular or personal achievement you're most proud of: I’m most proud of writing a business research thesis—something I never thought I’d have the capability of or interest in doing. My research focuses on coffee shop culture in South Korea as a gendered business model. Studying abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul during my junior year was a transformational experience and broadened my views of Asia and global business. As soon as I returned to the US, I wanted to figure out a way to go back. On a whim, I met with Tulane’s grant office, realizing I’d never considered research funding. That meeting culminated in an idea I knew I had to pursue, even if it meant adding on to a schedule of 25 credits. 

During this past winter, I spent three weeks in South Korea visiting dozens of independent cafés and conducting ethnographic research -- fully funded by $5,500 in grants. Going through this process and learning curve has been incredibly rewarding and has fundamentally changed the way I see myself. I am extraordinarily grateful to Tulane and my thesis advisors.

Top items on professional bucket list: First, I want to live and work in Asia. I want to immerse myself in a different business environment and challenge myself to continuously consider new perspectives. I hope to inspire and mentor others interested in similar journeys.

Second, I want to incorporate art—specifically glass— into a business, whether as a main venture or a side hustle. I’m excited to combine my passions for both business and hands-on creativity.

Fun Fact: I started Intro to Glassblowing freshman year. Now I specialize in “pâte de verre” (kiln glass) and have created shorts, bras, underwear, and a red combat boot so realistic it fooled my roommates.