Cody Bratton (MBA '26)

Name: Cody Bratton

Hometown:  Leesville, LA

Program: Online MBA

Concentration or Specialization: Finance & Data Analytics

Following graduation, what’s on the horizon for you professionally?

Following graduation, I plan to build on my leadership experience in operations while continuing to grow into roles that draw more heavily on finance, analytics, and strategic decision-making. My military and federal service career gave me a strong foundation in execution and accountability, while the MBA expanded how I think about performance at the organizational level. Going forward, I am especially interested in opportunities where I can connect operations, data, and financial judgment to help organizations execute more effectively and make better long-term decisions.

Who was your favorite business professor and why?

It is difficult to name a single favorite because so many professors shaped my experience in different ways. Professors Musa Caglar and Fariba Mamaghani strengthened my technical and analytical foundation. Jasmijn Bol and Carmen Weigelt challenged me to think more strategically and apply ideas in a practical way. Rafed Al-Huq, Christopher Otten, and Ashley Nelson helped me better understand the broader business environment through economics, law, and communication.

What stood out most was not just their command of the material, but their ability to make it relevant. Together, they helped me connect my background in technical operations with where I want to go next as a leader. Their teaching sharpened how I think, communicate, and make decisions, and gave me a foundation I will carry forward in my career.

What was your favorite business course? Why was it your favorite?

Financial Policy & Valuation. It brought together strategy, finance, and data analytics in a way that was both challenging and practical. I enjoyed learning to look beyond the numbers and think about what they say about a company’s risk, growth, and long-term decisions. It was a course that consistently made me slow down, think more deeply, and sharpen my judgment.

What’s the most important thing you learned at Freeman?

The most important thing I’ve learned is that strong leadership and sound business decisions begin with disciplined thinking. Data matters, financial logic matters, and clear communication matters, but just as important is the ability to make decisions under uncertainty with integrity and explain them in a way that earns trust. Freeman reinforced for me that knowledge carries the most value when it is applied thoughtfully, responsibly, and in service of better outcomes. That balance between analysis, judgment, and purpose is one of the most valuable lessons I will carry with me long after graduation.

What’s your favorite New Orleans memory?

Witnessing the incredible 2025 Tulane football season! It was awesome to watch Tulane pride and the spirit of New Orleans come together. Roll Wave!