MBA Grad, Senior Manager for Pittsburgh Housing Authority Named a 40 Under 40 Winner

Meet Aster Teclay

Job Title & Employer: Moving to Work and Special Projects Senior Project Manager , Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
Job Title & Employer: Co-Founder and Director of Finance, Invest In Her
Major/Program: M.B.A.
Graduation: 2014
Hometown: Gaithersburg, Md.
High School: Gaithersburg High School
Now Living In: Pittsburgh, Pa.
Hobbies & Interests: Running and working out

"Aster's MBA classes developed her knowledge base about finance, management strategies, organizational development and human behavior and provided context for her professional experience. This prepared her to complete more effective and insightful analysis to inform her recommendations and actions in the workplace."

David Weber, chief operations officer, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh

"I chose Point Park University's MBA program because it offered a quality education that integrated well with my full-time work schedule."

Aster Teclay

Tell us about the work you do for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

Everything! As a senior project manager, I'm pulled into many different roles and projects. This can range from writing the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh's annual reports, acting as a liaison with various officials and data analysis to representing the agency on intergovernmental committees. My role requires a lot flexibility.

What factors made you choose Point Park for graduate school?

I chose Point Park University's MBA program because it offered a quality education that integrated well with my full-time work schedule. Also, I wanted to dive more into the SAEM field and it offered a great combination of core MBA classes as well as insight from some of the top professionals in the sports, arts and entertainment management field.

How have your MBA classes helped you professionally?

I have to do a lot of data analysis and problem solving for HACP so classes like Quantitative Methods and Corporate Finance were essential. Also, the Accounting for Managers class has been a major key in my success as director of finance for Invest in Her, an initiative that encourages women entrepreneurship by showcasing the amazing talent of female entrepreneurs of Southwestern Pennsylvania.

How did you balance grad school with working full time?

Discipline and support from friends. I built many friendships with my classmates. Also, having the campus down the street from my office helped, too. On my lunch break, I could attend events and meet with faculty during their office hours.

What are your career goals?

Continue working to solve affordable housing issues and implement broader scale community development. I would also like to venture more into social entrepreneurship. I want to expand the organization (Invest In Her) that I co-founded last year so it can offer more capital and resources to women-owned businesses. I have a passion for serving others and I know that's something I'd like to continue doing.

Do you have a favorite quote?

"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." — African Proverb

MBA Grad, Senior Manager for Pittsburgh Housing Authority Named a 40 Under 40 Winner Alumni Profile