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Matthew Tom

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Finalist

Bio

Matthew Tom is an MMM candidate—pursuing dual MBA and MS in Design Innovation degrees—at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. A CPA and former management consultant, Matthew specialized in growth strategy and private equity diligence before pivoting to technology and business operations. Driven by a passion for human-centered design, he is the active developer of "Project Motivate," an AI-integrated productivity application built on Next.js. At Kellogg, Matthew aims to bridge the gap between rigorous financial viability and empathetic product development, creating scalable solutions that drive meaningful user impact.

Education

Northwestern University

Master's degree program
2026 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Business/Managerial Economics

University of Southern California

Bachelor's degree program
2014 - 2019
  • Majors:
    • Accounting and Computer Science

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Master's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
    • Business/Managerial Economics
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Technology

    • Dream career goals:

    • Management Consultant

      L.E.K. Consulting
      2021 – 20265 years
    • Senior Consultant

      Deloitte
      2019 – 20212 years

    Sports

    Soccer

    Intramural
    2006 – Present20 years

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Minds Matter — Senior Lead
      2021 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Future Green Leaders Scholarship
    The digital landscape is often mistakenly viewed as "clean" because its emissions are invisible. However, as a student in the Kellogg MMM program—pursuing both an MBA and an MS in Design Innovation—I recognize that the intersection of product management and technology is a critical frontier for environmental stewardship. In my field, sustainability must pivot from a "corporate social responsibility" checkbox to a fundamental design constraint. The future of innovation is not just about what a product can do, but the efficiency with which it does it. In the technology sector, the environmental impact is two-fold: the literal and the behavioral. On a literal level, the surge in generative AI and cloud-based applications has exponentially increased the energy demands of data centers. As an AI developer utilizing the Gemini API and Next.js, I see firsthand that every query and every server-side render has a carbon footprint. If we do not prioritize "Green Coding"—optimizing algorithms to reduce computational load—we risk a future where digital progress comes at the direct expense of ecological stability. On a behavioral level, the "field" of product management dictates how billions of people spend their time and resources. Inefficient products lead to "digital waste"—the unnecessary consumption of energy and hardware through bloated software and redundant processes. By prioritizing sustainability, we are not just saving power; we are practicing Sustainable Productivity, ensuring that human and technical resources are used with maximum intentionality. In the future, I see myself bridging the gap between high-performance technology and environmental mindfulness. My work on Project Motivate serves as a blueprint for this vision. By applying the principles of human-centric design I am mastering at Kellogg, I aim to build tools that reduce the "friction of the mundane." Optimized Product Design: I will advocate for "Lean Design" frameworks. In my career as a Product Manager, I plan to implement environmental impact assessments for new features, much like we currently assess ROI. This means choosing tech stacks and architectures—like serverless functions or edge computing—that minimize energy consumption during peak usage. Influencing the Lifecycle: Beyond the code, I see myself helping organizations rethink the hardware-software lifecycle. My background in technical investing and consulting has shown me that the "replace-every-two-years" culture of tech is unsustainable. I aim to lead teams that build software with backwards compatibility and longevity in mind, reducing the demand for new, resource-heavy hardware. The "Efficiency-First" Narrative: Through Project Motivate, I am exploring how AI can help users reach their goals with fewer "clicks" and less time spent in a digital loop. This philosophy—Efficiency as Sustainability—is how I will reduce environmental impact. If I can help a million users save 10% of their digital energy through better-designed workflows, the cumulative impact is massive. Ultimately, my goal is to be a builder who understands that the most "innovative" products are those that leave the smallest footprint. Sustainability isn't a separate department; it is the lens through which I will lead, design, and scale the next generation of technology.