Matt Tarullo is honored by Chancellor J. Michael Haynie with a 2025 'CUSE50 Award.
’CUSE50 Honoree Matt Tarullo ’04 Lifts Up Student Entrepreneurs
As a four-year member of the offensive line for the Syracuse University football team, Matt Tarullo ’04 prided himself on being a team player, someone who would do the little things every day to help the Orange succeed on the field.
That selfless strategy helped Tarullo become a starter for the final 36 games of his career, including earning First-Team All-Big East honors during his senior season.
That same approach guided Tarullo’s entrepreneurial career as partner, financial advisor and vice president of recruiting and sales for Iron Tree Financial, part of Cetera Investors.
For the second straight year, Tarullo is being recognized during the University’s fourth annual ’CUSE50 Alumni Entrepreneur Awards, which on Nov. 12 will celebrate 50 of the fastest-growing global businesses and nonprofit ventures owned or led by Orange alumni.
“I’m very honored,” says Tarullo, who earned dual degrees in psychology and communications and rhetorical studies from the College of Arts and Sciences. “It’s a phenomenal event showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit our alumni have, and I strongly encourage other alumni to be a part of this celebration.”
While he’s looking forward to the awards ceremony, Tarullo says he’s equally excited to impart his business acumen to student entrepreneurs at the ’CUSE50 Student Summit, when honorees will share insights with students at the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
Over the summer, Tarullo’s company hosted several current students for internships. Tarullo plans to use this year’s Student Summit to emphasize the importance of giving back to future students.
“It’s beneficial for students to hear stories of success, but also how we overcome problems. I tell students how important it is to have a niche, a passion that motivates your work,” Tarullo says.
Registration is open for the ’CUSE50 Student Summit and Alumni Awards Ceremony.
The Student Summit runs from noon to 3 p.m. in the Flaum Grand Hall in the Whitman School, with Chancellor J. Michael Haynie and Whitman Dean Alex McKelvie delivering remarks. Latavius Murray G’20, a retired NFL running back, community builder and entrepreneur will serve as the keynote speaker, followed by two panel discussions featuring ’CUSE50 alumni entrepreneurs and a “Five for Five” pitch competition, where five student startups will compete for a winner-takes-all $5,000 prize judged by the ’CUSE50 honorees in attendance. To support student entrepreneurs, consider a gift to the ’CUSE50 Gift Fund which makes the student prize money possible.
The Alumni Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony begins with check-in and light refreshments at 5 p.m., followed by the awards at 5:30 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium and a reception starting at 6:45 p.m. in the Bisignano Grand Hall. All events occur in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building.
Tarullo sat down with Syracuse University Today to preview the ’CUSE50 Alumni Awards.
Matt Tarullo: On the football field, I had great teammates who had my back and were working together for a goal. We were part of something bigger than ourselves. That’s how I looked at business. We had to create something special that would help people reach their goals. The joy for me is giving people the opportunity to be successful and finding those people that want to be part of something that’s bigger than yourself.
Tarullo: I love the word entrepreneur, but I like the word coach better. I’ve always tried to coin myself as the money coach. When I sit down with clients or corporations, I always tell them that I’m their head coach, but they’re going to own the team because it’s their money we’re investing, it’s their future. I’m only going to be as good as you let me be. I want to make sure we give them a phenomenal experience, that’s why I pride myself on doing the little things right, taking care of the small, mundane details that lead to success.
Tarullo: Last year, through conversations with some talented students, I learned more about the importance of having a well-thought-out social media presence. Being active on social media is huge for our business, and many are missing out because they don’t understand what they need to be doing on social.
Tarullo: Once you become successful, your goal should be to give back and do something to inspire those around you. There’s this critical concept of reaching down, which means when you’re successful in your career, you should elevate those around you, pull them up with you and help make them better. In turn, those people will usually do the same, which means we’re all getting better as we’re all improving. It’s a great team mentality.
