2 Whitman Seniors Named 2025 Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors
Two Martin J. Whitman School of Management seniors—Evan Kalish (finance and business analytics) and Talia St. Angelo (finance and marketing)—were selected by Poets&Quants for Undergrads to be highlighted in its annual Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors feature. This is the tenth annual list, which honors 100 of the most accomplished seniors at top business schools across the country.
“What makes a Best & Brightest student? The Best & Brightest were the catalysts who made things happen. Filled with faith and optimism, these business majors elevated their classmates to be their best selves. In the process, they became as urgent as they were unforgettable. Over time, that spirit will enable each of them to do something special, in one form or another… Think passion and purpose—a commitment to a particular industry or outcome—that pushes to always be questioning listening, learning, and growing,” says Jeff Schmitt, a senior writer with Poets&Quants who launched the series in 2016.
When asked to describe how his business school has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into programming, Kalish said: “All Whitman seniors are required to take a capstone entrepreneurship class as a graduation requirement. In this class, students are tasked with creating a novel business idea and ultimately crafting a business plan to pitch to a panel of judges in a business case competition format. During this time, my professor encouraged our class to use AI for ideation, specifically in identifying current market trends and finding potential business opportunities. This integration of AI has proven to be incredibly helpful, as idea generation is a difficult part of the course.”
St. Angelo says students hoping to study business should “step out of your comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. You never know what you’re capable of until you try. Business is a dynamic field that requires adaptability, curiosity and a willingness to take risks. Getting involved in different organizations, exploring various disciplines and networking with professionals can open doors you never expected. Don’t limit yourself; rather, challenge assumptions, seek diverse experiences and remain open to growth.”
