Dearborn Wolverine Maurice “Moe” Taylor’s career path is impressive. The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters graduate earned a Juris Doctor and an MBA from Harvard. He worked for the nation’s largest bank in New York City. Taylor is now a public equity portfolio manager for Alyeska Investment Group in Chicago, where he resides with his wife, Robyn, and their two children. He recently joined the Board of Directors for the personal finance website and app NerdWallet. More impressive is how Taylor’s challenges — and how he met them — shaped his journey. Growing up on Detroit’s east side, Taylor focused on two things: playing sports and earning an education to get beyond the world he knew. His dedication to basketball led him to a spot on UM-Dearborn’s team. And his focus on education took him down a path that surpassed his dreams.
It’s OK to reevaluate what you want.
Basketball was my thing growing up. It was more than a game for me — it provided a sense of identity and place of refuge. But as I developed broader professional goals, I felt a greater sense of urgency off the court. I needed an ‘A’ in every class. I needed internships and co-ops. I needed to study for the LSAT. That meant taking a step back from basketball my senior year. It wasn’t an easy choice. Basketball taught me many life lessons, but it had taken me as far as it could. More than 15 years later, I can say with certainty that pivoting was integral to my path forward. I got into Harvard Law School and did well. I was working toward the legal career I said I wanted. But, after doing some research, I decided to pivot again — this time to business — and earn a joint degree through Harvard’s Business School. My undergraduate major was economics and I enjoy learning about how markets are connected. I wanted to try my hand at investment banking. So I did. Even when you make the plan and are executing it well, try not to have tunnel vision. You don’t want to miss opportunities.
Showcase what makes you different.
When JP Morgan was hiring investment banking associates, I went through more than 10 interviews. I didn’t have the pre-business school experience of my peers, but I knew I had drive. My mother, who often worked multiple jobs while I was growing up, was a model of resilience and dedication. She never complained and continued to dream of a better future. I wanted a better future too. Through the interview process, the associates saw my fire and gave me a shot. Before I started, I spent Friday and Saturday nights doing my own training before official training started so I could sharpen my technical skills. By the end of my time at JP Morgan, I earned the top performer ranking. It might not be obvious that you have every desired skill for a position, but if you want it, commit to giving it your all. Once you show and prove, other opportunities will come.
Dream beyond the limits others set.
I’m the oldest of four. I’m the first in my family to go to college. We were poor and sometimes lacked basic necessities. I sensed a degree could help change my life’s trajectory and my family’s as well. It was sometimes an unfamiliar, lonely journey because I gave it 110% and didn’t have time for much else. I didn’t know if it would work out for me, but I had conviction that this path was worth my best efforts. Even my decision to go to undergrad close to home was not without risk. People in my village were supportive, but were nervous about the proximity to my old neighborhoods. I was told that as much as you want out, you can’t escape the neighborhood drama; it will suck you back in. I want people who are in similar situations to know you can start a new path for yourself. It’s hard, but not impossible. I’m deeply grateful to have made it this far; I know how easily my story could have been different.
Sometimes inspiration doesn’t look like you expect it to.
I wanted a mentor or ally who checked all the boxes: looked like me, was a big brother figure and rooted for me because they walked through the same fire to find success. But no one person will check every box. And that’s OK. Throughout my journey, I’ve had many supporters. UM-Dearborn Economics Professor Elizabeth Cowell had high expectations for her students and intimidated most of them. I’d like to think she saw my potential and my grit. She agreed to write my law school recommendations. My UM-Dearborn basketball coach, Jack Williams, was another supporter. He’d drop off bags of groceries. I never asked; he just had a generous heart. Take note of the people who inspire you, who show you acts of kindness, support and guidance. Those are your champions.
Give back (when you get to a place where you can).
The big brother mentor I never found? I wanted to do something about that. When I reached the point where I had time capacity and career security, I looked for ways to help students feel seen, valued and heard. I volunteer at Chicago Jesuit Academy, an elementary and middle school on the city’s west side, and joined their board of directors. These kids come from a community much like my own on Detroit’s east side. They remind me of a younger version of myself. We have conversations about what’s on their minds: school, what it’s like to lose a friend to violence, financial hardship, college goals and their future plans. I also help run a summer internship program at Alyeska Investment Group where we bring in high-performing college freshmen and sophomores from underinvested communities. The summer is about equity markets, stock pitches and modeling — and about navigating the professional world. If you are in a position to do it, open a door you wished was open for you. Become a part of someone’s evolution. Not only will they learn from you, you’ll learn from them too.
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Moe Taylor and his wife, Robyn, have sponsored a scholarship at UM-Dearborn that provides financial support to high-achieving first-generation students who have demonstrated resilience and dedication in the face of challenging social and economic circumstances. Interview by Sarah Tuxbury
