Avik Hegde (BSM '26)

Name: Avik Hegde

Hometown (city and state):  Southbury, CT

Major: Finance, Economics

Minor: Psychology, Legal Studies in Business

What are your post-graduation plans?

I will be working as a Business Valuation Associate for EY-Parthenon in New York City.

What are your top Freeman extracurricular activities? 

• Associate Director of Research for Burkenroad Reports
• Financial Accounting Teaching Assistant
• Financial Management Teaching Assistant
• President of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity
• VP of Administration & founding member of Wall Street Krewe

What community or volunteer activities did you participate in outside of the business school? 

• Green Wave Ambassador
• Orientation Board of Directors
• Wave Leader
• TIDES Peer Mentor

What academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my work as an Associate Director for the Burkenroad Reports program. In this role, I’ve worked closely with Professors Peter Ricchiuti and Anthony Wood, helping nearly 100 students each semester publish sell-side equity research reports. I also support lecture preparation, program logistics, and the annual Burkenroad Investment Conference, which attracts hundreds of investors. Much of what I know about valuation came from Professor Wood and ultimately helped me secure my job, so being able to give back to Burkenroad has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my time at Tulane.

What was your favorite business course?

Darwin Fenner Student Managed Fund (FINE 4610) with Professor Lesmond. I loved Darwin Fenner’s seminar-style format and the way it combined academia with experiential learning, as we built sector investment screens based on published finance research. We then used these screens to pitch investments for a $9 million fund within Tulane’s endowment, aiming to beat the market while taking on less risk, and I really enjoyed the experience. 

Who is your favorite business professor and why?

My favorite business professor is Christine Smith. I took her Financial Accounting class during my freshman year, and she has been an incredible mentor and source of inspiration as I’ve progressed through the BSM/MACCT program and been her TA since then. Outside the classroom, Professor Smith goes above and beyond for her students; she has invested significant time and personal care in my academic and professional development. I have a deep admiration and respect for her as both a teacher and a mentor, and she is one of the best and most caring professors I’ve had at Tulane. 

What’s your favorite memory of Freeman?

My favorite Freeman memory was the final pitch competition in the Aaron Selber Jr. Hedge Funds course. My team placed first overall, and I received the Best Individual Presenter award. The experience was rewarding, as we spent the semester developing and refining a hedge fund strategy with help from Professor Mara Force, and the judges created an environment that was both challenging and supportive. What made the day even better was that after the pitch competition, we went straight to the Tulane football conference championship game, where Tulane won, and we stormed the field. 

What are the top items on your professional bucket list?

1. Pass the CPA exam within a year of starting my job and eventually the CFA as well.
2. Return to Tulane later in my career to teach an experiential learning course that blends finance and accounting.

What’s a fun fact about yourself?

I’ve been a lifelong Star Wars nerd – I even wrote my college application essay about The Empire Strikes Back.