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BRISTOL, R.I. – When Brian MacDonald earns his Master of Business Administration from �鶹ɫ��Ƭ this May, he will do so with a career already defined by discipline, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose.

A 37-year-old father of three from Portsmouth, R.I., MacDonald followed an unconventional path to the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business, shaped by military service, technical expertise, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurship. Those experiences now inform how he approaches business challenges and opportunity alike.

MacDonald began his professional career at 19, enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he worked in the Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory. The role required exacting precision – calibrating equipment and ensuring accuracy across complex systems – and instilled a meticulous, detail-oriented mindset that continues to guide his work.

After completing his service, he transitioned to a civilian role supporting the United States Navy in Newport, R.I., where he spent six years building on that technical foundation.

While working full-time, MacDonald pursued his undergraduate degree at Salve Regina University, earning a Bachelor’s in Global Business and Economics. His interest in economics extended beyond theory, shaped by observations of how financial literacy impacts everyday life.

“I’ve always had a passion for economics,” MacDonald said. “A fundamental understanding of it can really improve people’s quality of life.”

Following graduation, MacDonald advanced into a managerial role at Azzur Group, a consulting firm in Waltham, Mass, where he worked with major pharmaceutical clients, including Moderna. The experience exposed him to high-growth business environments and sharpened his leadership skills, but it also clarified his next step.

Recognizing that advancement often required an advanced degree, MacDonald enrolled in �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s one-year MBA program, drawn initially by its flexibility and proximity. What he found, he said, was something more transformative.

Central to that experience was the program’s emphasis on real-world learning. Through consulting projects and applied coursework, MacDonald translated theory into practice, including a real estate development proposal presented at �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s annual Real Estate Symposium. His team reimagined an underutilized property as a mixed-use development with affordable housing and retail space, gaining experience in collaborative, solutions-driven work.

That hands-on approach extended globally. As part of the program’s international experience in China, MacDonald worked with a Chinese company on a consulting engagement, navigating cultural differences while delivering strategic recommendations.

“It was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world,” he said. “You can study international business, but until you engage with another culture, you don’t fully understand the nuances.”

During that trip, MacDonald introduced his own venture, MacTech Solutions, as a potential partner for a client – a moment that helped move the idea from concept to reality. Originally sparked in the classroom, the company has since grown into a developing defense contracting business preparing to bid on its first government contracts, with additional focus on software development and cybersecurity training.

“My peers inspired me,” he said. “Seeing what they were capable of made me realize I could do it too.”

MacDonald said the program not only expanded his knowledge but also strengthened his confidence. He credits Mark Wu, Professor of Finance and the Director of the MBA program, as a key mentor who supported his journey.

“His confidence in me is a huge reason I am where I am today,” MacDonald said.

As he looks ahead, MacDonald remains focused on growing his business while continuing to build on the foundation he developed at �鶹ɫ��Ƭ. His advice to prospective MBA students is straightforward: stay engaged, ask questions, and recognize the value of your own perspective.

For MacDonald, the MBA represents more than a credential. It marks a turning point – one that has sharpened his vision, expanded his perspective, and positioned him to build something of his own.