Alex Daie, WG’24, came to Wharton’s MBA Program for Executives with a clear goal: to transition from a successful military career to the world of finance. Within two months of graduating, he achieved that goal by becoming CFO for a $100-million revenue business.
“I would not have this job if I didn’t have a Wharton MBA,” Alex reflects. “Wharton gave me the foundational knowledge and strategic skills to view a business through the lens of a CFO. I learned to speak the language of finance, assess a company’s financial health, prioritize key metrics, and allocate capital effectively—all of which were completely new concepts to me.”
From Flying Jets to Entrepreneurship
Alex began his career in the US Navy, flying F18 Super hornets, with a combat deployment flying missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and later serving as a flight instructor.
“My childhood dream was to fly cool jets and be part of something bigger than myself and I achieved that dream; however, after I was married and had four daughters, I wanted to be home more and start a new chapter in my career,” he says.
During his military service, Alex identified an opportunity to improve the readiness and performance of Department of Defense aircraft. He developed a software application that captured vital post-flight data to enhance mission success rates and optimize maintenance efforts. He partnered with a defense technology firm to take the software to market and joined the company in a civilian role. This entrepreneurial experience sparked his desire to learn more about business, particularly finance.
“I knew I had a lot of gaps in my knowledge when it came to scaling businesses, negotiating deals, and developing a solid business plan,” Alex says. “I wanted to work in finance, but I needed a strong foundation of business knowledge and skills to make the leap.”
Finding a “Great Fit” at Wharton
Living in California and working full-time, Alex found Wharton’s EMBA program to be an ideal choice. “I’m someone with a ‘go big or go home’ mentality, and Wharton in my mind is the best business school for finance,” he says. “I also wanted the challenge of a program with the same rigor as a full-time MBA, and the opportunity to learn alongside other experienced professionals from various industries who were similarly committed to advancing their careers.”

At Wharton, Alex immersed himself in the resources available to EMBA students. He participated in career development programs that helped him assess his strengths, align his interests, and learn how to effectively translate his military experience to the private sector. He also spent time with faculty discussing potential career paths in finance and brainstorming ideas.
Alex points to the Wharton faculty and his classmates as highlights of his time in school. “Even when we were all exhausted from a long class weekend, the professors brought amazing energy and enthusiasm to classes and made an effort to get to know and support students. And my classmates became lifelong friends and mentors. Whenever I face something new in my current role, I reach out to a classmate for advice. That’s priceless. It’s a trusted network for life.”
Advice for Military Applicants
Reflecting on his experience, Alex encourages military applicants to seriously consider Wharton’s EMBA program.
This comprehensive learning not only facilitates future career transitions but also equips students to think strategically in unprecedented ways. Reflecting on the experience, Alex notes that it’s an opportunity he’d eagerly embrace again without hesitation.
By Meghan Laska
Posted: March 10, 2025