Richie Cantwell (BSM '25)

Name: Richie Cantwell

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Major: Legal Studies in Business

Minor: N/A

Post Graduation Plans: I’ll work as a tax associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Indianapolis, IN.

Freeman Activities: Tulane Trash to Treasure (Project Manager and President), Tulane Housing and Residence Life (Resident Advisor), Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (Council President), Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Student Fellow), Tulane Earth Day Festival (Internal Communications Director), Beta Alpha Psi (Controller & Reporting Secretary), Tulane First-Year Experience (First-Year Seminar Peer Mentor and New Student Orientation Wave Leader), Dean’s List (Fall 2021-Fall 2024), Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society. 

Favorite Business Course: Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Environment of Business was my favorite because Professor Mike Hogg is simply a phenomenal instructor. Every class had witty lectures and lively discussions that kept me engaged and inspired me to declare Legal Studies in Business as my major. The exams were challenging and made me feel like my hands were going to fall off from writing so intensely, but the way Professor Hogg taught helped me genuinely grasp the material and build a foundation for future legal studies courses. I am very grateful to have taken this class with him.

Favorite Business Professor: During my freshman year, I took the introductory financial accounting course required for all business students. I had never considered accounting as a potential career path and was not looking forward to an 8 A.M. class, but Professor Christine Smith’s kindness, sincerity and enthusiasm totally changed my perspective. I’ve never seen someone so excited to talk about anything at 8 in the morning, let alone debits and credits. Professor Smith’s energy and dedication led me to pursue a career in accounting and enroll in Tulane’s dual BSM/Master of Accounting program. Outside the classroom, she has continued to be a mentor for me and provide guidance on my academic and career journey.

Academic, extracurricular or personal achievement you're most proud of: My proudest achievement in college is the impact of Trash to Treasure (T2T). This student-led organization has been a Tulane staple for over a decade, collecting donated dorm items during spring move-out and providing a low-cost option for sustainable shopping during fall move-in, with all profits going to New Orleans-area charities. Given the scale of operations, it sometimes feels like a miracle that T2T runs as smoothly as it does, but it’s a testament to the dedication of our incredible team and the power of collaboration. I was selected to lead T2T during my sophomore and junior years, during which we raised nearly $10,000 for local nonprofits and diverted hundreds of tons from landfills. To keep up with Tulane’s growing on-campus population, we expanded move-out operations, secured university funding for the first time, formed new partnerships with campus & community organizations, and added year-round programming to reach as many students as possible. In October 2023, we were honored to receive Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Collegiate Environmental Steward award recognizing T2T’s ten years of making Tulane more sustainable. 

Top items on professional bucket list: What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?: During my career, I would love the opportunity to serve on the board of nonprofits that support communities in Indianapolis and/or New Orleans. These places have shaped who I am, and I want to give back by helping organizations that make real impacts. I’m especially interested in projects that support public education, animal welfare, and direct aid to people in need. 

I would also love to spend some time working abroad. While I couldn’t stand to be away from family and friends for too long, I definitely plan to pursue a short-term international assignment with my firm. This would give me first-hand experience with the business climate of another country and help me grow into a more adaptable professional (and honestly I just love to travel!). 

Fun Fact: I went to 67 Mardi Gras parades during my 4 years at Tulane.