ALUMNI PROFILE
Jordan Lipson ’ 10
What have you been up to since you graduated from CPA ? It ’ s hard to believe this is my twelfth year since graduating from CPA . I attended the University of Alabama and studied finance with an investment management concentration . Post-graduation ( I would have stayed for a college victory lap to have one more football season , but my parents quickly turned that idea down ), I moved to New York City to work for a boutique M & A advisory services investment bank . After that , I had the opportunity to come back to Nashville and was always interested in getting into the business side of healthcare and joined USPI working in operations . I now work as a principal on the investment team at Martin Ventures , where we focus on starting and investing in healthcare technology startups .
How did your experience at CPA prepare you for your current pursuits ? The undergraduate curriculum at CPA was equally ( if not more ) challenging than my prerequisite classes for my college major . The rigor and discipline required to achieve a sustainable level of academic success was instilled in me from an early age at CPA . CPA taught me to be grounded in my faith through all things . The decisions you make matter , and how you spend your time matters .
It is a special place , and I ’ m fortunate to have a solid crew of lifelong friendships and people I still spend time with regularly .
When we live as true followers of Christ , obeying the principles of God ’ s kingdom , we become like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden .
Are there any specific people at CPA you feel shaped your growth as a person ? Dan Carpenter , Maria Jernigan , Drew Maddux , Daniel Moore , and Ryan Doyle .
Do you have any words of advice for students at CPA , about to head out into the world ? Cherish the memories , friendships , and stages of your life at this moment in time . Don ’ t overshadow it by focusing on future milestones ( e . g ., college , marriage , job , kids , etc .) Instead , be confident that you are right where you need to be through Christ and His plan .
“ You have power over your mind — not outside events . Realize this , and you will find strength .” The more we know about ourselves after a hard look in the mirror , the better we are at acclimating to change and positioning ourselves for future personal growth and success . There ’ s no way to prepare for life ’ s inevitable setbacks if we expect our life to go in a planned manner , and it ’ s best to remember we cannot control what happens , but we can always control how we respond .
Lastly , Nashville is a wonderful place , and so is CPA , but it ’ s easy to stay the course of falling into the conventional status quo . Instead , challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone , study abroad , decide your path , and don ’ t necessarily pick a college based on where your friends go . Chart your course , and own it . Sometimes , the only way to truly learn is to continually step outside your comfort zone .
How do you feel you may have an influence on today ' s culture ? Matthew 5:14 , says “ You are the light of the world . A city set on a hill cannot be hidden .” As Christians , we are meant to influence the people around us . We are to remain humble by doing everything we can to influence , guide , and attract others toward the truth of Christ . When we live as true followers of Christ , obeying the principles of God ’ s kingdom , we become like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden .
How does your faith impact how you live and work in your industry ? The truth is that working in venture is a hustle and requires an innate sense of self-awareness and stoicism . You experience a rollercoaster of the highest highs and the lowest lows . My faith in Christ is an unwavering lifeline that will never fail or disappoint .
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