National recognition highlights leadership, academic excellence and real-world impact among top undergraduate business talent.
April 06, 2026
By Marcella Moreno
Content Creator, Neeley Communications
Two seniors in the Neeley School of Business earned spots on the 2026 Poets&Quants Best and Brightest Business Majors list, a national recognition honoring 100 students from top-ranked programs who have made the significant impact on their programs. Katie Hoang, a finance major, and Katie Russell, a double major in Supply Chain Management and Marketing, were selected for their leadership, academic achievement and contributions to Neeley and the broader TCU community.
Katie Hoang, a coach for the Neeley Professional Development Center, served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Educational Investment Fund, managing a $2.2 million portfolio with classmates that benefited two charities. Beyond school, she developed an internship program with the Adera Foundation to honor women’s stories and equip students with global professional skills.
Hoang’s professional experience includes internships at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Satori Capital, and the City of Fort Worth’s Chief Innovation Office. Following graduation, she will join Alpine Investors in Austin as a private equity analyst.
“Business school taught me be bold and do everything to discern and to walk with purpose. I believe you differentiate yourself when you can embrace failure and discomfort.”
Dedicated to refining her strategic thinking and keeping leadership skills, Hoang plans to pursue further study in business, law, or public policy. She is also working toward her private pilot’s license.
Elisabeth Apperson, associate director of the Neeley Professional Development Center, noted Hoang’s success begins with building relationships. “Katie’s belief that small acts – like showing up fully for others or writing a simple thank you note – captures exactly how she moves through the world,” Apperson said.
Katie Russell, a member of the Neeley Fellows Honors Business Program, said her academic experience included learning the value of collaboration.
“Strong ideas only go as far as your ability to communicate them clearly and work through them with others,” Russell said.
A finalist and student coach for the Dell X TCU Case Competition, Russell has built a professional foundation through internships with Dell Technologies and Ryse Supplements. Following graduation, she will return to Dell in Austin for their Supply Chain Development Program.
A dedicated bodybuilder, Russell said the sport taught her to “approach improvement with humility and curiosity… progress depends on being open to feedback.” In the future, she hopes to create programs that help others focus on their personal growth.
Laura Meade, director of Neeley International Programs, said Russell distinguishes herself through both academic performance and real-world experience. “She pairs outstanding academic achievement with meaningful global and practical experience. I first met Katie in my Global Business course, during which we traveled together to Peru, and later had the opportunity to teach her again in Global Supply Chain Management. Across both settings, I witnessed firsthand her quiet yet unmistakable leadership among her peers.”
