In celebration of Pride Month, we asked three of the 2023-2024 Tuck Pride co-chairs—the Tuck community’s LGBTQ+ resource and support group—to reflect on their goals, accomplishments, inspirations, and passions.
Describe an ah-ha moment for you—a defining moment that changed the course of your life, career, or altered your way of thinking.
It’s crazy to think something that happened over a decade ago could be a major transitional point in my life, but a concussion in my sophomore year of high school completely altered my life path. Until that fall, my entire life revolved around ice hockey—where I attended school and how I spent my summers to my college plans. I had plans to play college ice hockey, with little regard for academic interests or my professional future.
However, this concussion forced me to rethink my entire future. I attended college at George Washington University in Washington, DC, where I studied political science and discovered a love of national security. I was fortunate enough to get a job with Deloitte’s Government & Public Services, where I worked with national security, intelligence, and defense clients right after graduation.
Now, at Tuck, I get to explore early-stage venture capital with a focus on cybersecurity and national security. Had it not been for that concussion, I wouldn’t have ended up at a school I love, surrounded by a fantastic personal and professional network, pursuing a career that I am incredibly passionate about.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
As the T’24 DEI Chair, I’ve had the opportunity to really dig into what diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to me personally, professionally, and in my role at Tuck. Ultimately, DEI, for me, means cultivating spaces where diversity of thought, experience, background, and so on are championed.
You will never be surrounded by only people who look, think, act, or speak exactly like you. Our uniqueness is crucial to creating strong teams and strong communities. When we don’t take the time to appreciate our differences, and learn from those who are different from us, we do ourselves and others a disservice. We need leaders who are collaborative, inclusive, and who think outside of the box, and those traits come when individuals foster and champion DEI as a tool for success.
“For the longest time, I correlated success with achieving a certain goal, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that success, and living a fulfilling life, means cultivating strong personal relationships”
—Allie Coukos T’24
How would you describe your life philosophy?
If I had to succinctly distill my life philosophy into a sentence it would be to do all things with good intentions and to the best of your ability. When you try your best for your job, for the people around you, and for your commitments, you can’t really fail because you’re doing your best and trying.
For the longest time, I correlated success with achieving a certain goal, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that success, and living a fulfilling life, means cultivating strong personal relationships and putting myself in situations, whether personal or professional, where I’m regularly pushed to learn and grow.
In your opinion, what makes a good leader?
I think it’s important to realize that a good leader can take many different forms. In my experience, the best leaders that I’ve seen and had the opportunity to work for are those who lead with empathy and humility, hold strong convictions, and support the growth of everyone around them—from the most senior to the most junior person in the room. Additionally, a good leader is adaptable to challenges as they arise and is gracious in the face of difficulties.
Allie Coukos T’24 is originally from Newton, MA, and prior to Tuck, she lived in Washington, DC, where she worked for Deloitte’s Government & Public Services consulting practice. At Tuck, she’s a PE/VC Fellow, the T’24 DEI Chair, and a co-chair of Tuck Pride. Outside of Tuck, she’s an MBA Venture Fellow for Blu Ventures and a Venture Fellow for Alumni Ventures. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, rock climbing, and following Boston sports.
What keeps you busy? How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of class, I serve as co-chair of the Future of Mobility Club and Tuck Pride and as a Consortium and Revers Center fellow. I’ve leaned into my auto tech background, keeping a pulse on the space through my newsletter, Mobility Weekly. And I’m also proud to have founded and serve on the board of PressFriends, a non-profit striving to elevate opportunities for underserved youth.
In my free time, you’ll find me experimenting with baking recipes (admittedly, a challenge in a dorm kitchen), exploring local hiking trails, riding my Peloton on the colder days, or sampling the latest local eateries with my partner and friends.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
To me, diversity, equity, and inclusion are about valuing unique perspectives and ensuring everyone feels welcome and empowered. DEI is vital as it drives innovation and progress, leading to robust decision-making and problem-solving. It’s about inviting everyone in, giving them an equal seat at the table, and genuinely engaging with diverse views. This inclusive approach, recognizing our strength in differences, is what I believe can truly transform our organizations and society for the better.
How would you describe your life philosophy? How do you define “success”?
My life philosophy revolves around making a meaningful difference and leaving a positive impact. To me, the components of a "good" life involve not just personal achievements but the value we add to others’ lives and society at large.
Success, in my definition, is less about accolades and more about the positive change we affect. Whether it’s through innovating in the sustainable technology space, empowering underserved youth through education, or fostering a diverse and inclusive community, my aim is to create opportunities and break down barriers. This commitment to service and impact drives my actions and defines my measure for success.
“A good leader can envision a path forward, engage others in that vision, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.”
—Luke Southwell-Chan T’24
In your opinion, what makes a good leader?
From my perspective, a good leader can envision a path forward, engage others in that vision, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. They foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, understanding that the confluence of diverse perspectives breeds innovation and effectiveness.
They’re humble, acknowledging that they don’t know everything, and are always open to learning from their team. They lead with empathy, genuine care, and a keen focus on the well-being and success of their team. Ultimately, a good leader strikes a balance between steering the team and supporting the individuals within it.
Luke Southwell-Chan T’24 (he/him) is passionate about the intersection of sustainable technology and finance. With experience in strategic operations and communications at Zoox, Amazon’s autonomous robotaxi division, he’s pursuing new opportunities through an investment banking internship at Harris Williams this summer. At Tuck, Luke serves as co-chair of the Future of Mobility Club and Tuck Pride, and is a Consortium and Revers Center fellow, committed to enhancing the sustainable technology landscape and nurturing a diverse, inclusive community on campus. Luke holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Southern California.
What keeps you busy? How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of class and work, I am most happy when I am spending time with my wife and our two cats, Jada and Pebble. I am an avid sports and board game player and will never turn down an opportunity for some friendly competition. I find my greatest mindfulness when I am outside, whether I am hiking, kayaking, or boating.
Describe an ah-ha moment for you—a defining moment that changed the course of your life, career, or altered your way of thinking.
In 2013, I took a trip with my classmates to the Czech Republic. We had the chance to tour the Škoda factory, and I immediately was enamored with the size and complexity of the operations. This was the first time that I realized my deep interest in the creation of tangible products. I have been chasing this interest since then through the selection of my clients at EY and my transition to working at Bose.
What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean for you today, and in your words, why is it so critical?
To me, diversity, equity, and inclusion are interrelated concepts that are critical to creating a more just and equitable society. DEI is currently a hyperfocus of many institutions but unfortunately, some seem to be focused on surface-level implementation.
DEI means driving true systemic change that promotes individual and collective well-being by centering the voices of those with marginalized identities who may not have previously had a seat at the table. Sustainable changes are necessary so that our organizations and communities can achieve their full potential by valuing everyone’s unique identities and lived experiences.
“DEI means driving true systemic change that promotes individual and collective well-being by centering the voices of those with marginalized identities who may not have previously had a seat at the table.”
—Nicole Kutteh T’24
How do you define “success”?
Success to me is measured through the strength of my interpersonal relationships, including having meaningful and supportive relationships with my family members and close friends. A good life includes achieving a sense of fulfillment around your personal and professional accomplishments.
In your opinion, what makes a good leader?
A good leader is someone who actively serves others, listens more than they speak, and has supporters who want to follow (versus those who have to). The best leaders are introspective, willing to accept feedback, and value others’ opinions.
Nicole Kutteh T’24 was born in Southern California but spent most of her young adulthood in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She attended Boston University as an undergrad and has been living in Boston for the last 10 years. After college, she started her career at EY in Risk Advisory, primarily in the aerospace/defense and healthcare industries. Most recently, she worked at Bose Corporation as a Manufacturing and Global Supply Chain Program Manager.
Many Voices, One Tuck celebrates the stories of our vibrant and diverse community. What’s your story? Email DEI at Tuck if you’d like to contribute to the MVOT project.
Note: MVOT is open to members of the Tuck community, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, TEE and Tuck Bridge participants, and MHCDS graduates.
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