UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Smeal College of Business alumnus Curran McCready was recently appointed to the college’s Finance Advisory Board.
The organization is made up of alumni in the financial and business sectors who advise faculty and administrators on matters related to the administration of the department, work with students in the classroom and through advisory roles, support educational opportunities, and promote research and collaboration between faculty and students. .
Board members meet twice each year – once at the University Park campus and once in the New York City area. He also makes a financial commitment to the college by supporting new programs and projects that benefit students and faculty in Smeal’s Department of Finance.
McCready earned a degree in economics from Penn State Smeal in 2011 and began his career in two of General Electric’s leading financial programs, responsible for planning and analyzing economics, finance, research and strategy in locations in the United States and London. He later joined PayPal and the London Stock Exchange Group, where he held a variety of roles and increased responsibility for trading finance and financial planning and analysis.
McCready joined NBCUniversal as chief financial officer of corporate, cyber and technical operations in 2022. In this role, he also supports its newly formed AI organization. McCready helps drive strategy and support short-term and long-term planning, and liaises with the NBCUniversal team on strategic partnerships for small businesses.
Corey C. Phelps, John and Karen Arnold Dean of Smeal, said he was excited to welcome McCready to the board.
“Curran’s experience in financial leadership, strategic management and global operations will bring valuable experience to the board. I look forward to the ideas he can share with us as a young and successful alumni as we strive to advance business education and strengthen our partnership with industry leaders,” said Phelps.
McCready said they are focused on the ‘next step’ in creating and preparing students for life after graduation. Given the amount of research being done at the University and the use of its extensive network, he said, Penn State has the tools it needs to make it happen.
“I am excited to connect with Smeal students and help foster the education of the next generation of business leaders,” he said. “Penn State is a very special community. To continue to be involved in a way that has a profound impact on Smeal students and their future is an honor and a great responsibility, and I look forward to serving. “
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Friday at the University Park campus.
The McCready gift furthers the university’s historic mission of providing space for service and leadership. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students integrate into the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; conduct research, dissemination and economic development; and increase the University’s impact on students, families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Find out more by visiting upload.psu.edu.