When Grace Peckham left her home state of Rhode Island to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she didn’t have a clear roadmap—but she was driven by a strong sense of purpose and a readiness to grow. As a first-generation college student, she carried with her the quiet strength and ambition instilled by her parents. Her father, a tugboat captain who taught himself to invest and retired early, modeled hard work and self-made success. Her mother, deeply intuitive and steady, grounded her through every high and low. “My dad gave me the drive, and my mom gave me the heart,” Grace reflected. “She always brings me back to earth when I get too caught up. Together, they shaped the way I see the world.”
At RPI, Grace initially pursued computer science, drawn by its prestige and potential. But soon, she realized that the heavy coding load didn’t align with her interests or strengths. “I don’t have a computer science brain,” she laughed. After exploring different options, she found her home in the Lally School of Management’s Business Analytics program. “It was the perfect blend—math, tech, and business. That’s when things really clicked for me.”
Discovering a Leadership Voice in the Rensselaer Finance Club
Grace’s involvement in the Rensselaer Finance Club (RFC) began casually, attending meetings, reconnecting with a longtime interest in finance, and chatting with fellow students. But her leadership journey was sparked by a realization: helping others learn helped her learn, too.
“Last semester, I was studying for finance internships, and the best way for me to prepare was actually teaching other students,” she said. “I started running meetings, organizing sessions, and reaching out to alumni. I realized I loved it.”
Her natural leadership style—approachable, driven, and focused on helping others grow—quickly became central to RFC’s culture shift. “I was having all these coffee chats with alumni and thinking, ‘Wow—these are amazing people. I wish every finance club member could hear them.’ That’s when I really stepped into the role.”
When she joined the club, attendance fluctuated. “We had a hard time finding students who were truly motivated,” she recalled. “I joined because I wanted to be surrounded by others who were as serious about their futures as I was. RFC had the potential to be that space, and I wanted to help make it happen.”
Building Community and Confidence—One Step at a Time
What sets Grace apart is her commitment to making finance—and leadership—more accessible. At her first RFC meeting, she was the only woman in the room. That experience fueled her desire to ensure others wouldn’t feel the same isolation.
“I wanted it to be less intimidating,” she said. “Finance can be full of scary terms, but most of it is simpler than it sounds. When students realize that they start to believe they belong.”
To help students prepare for real-world experiences, Grace helped launch networking boot camps, resume workshops, and info sessions. The goal wasn’t just to prepare resumes—it was to build confidence.
“You come to RPI, and you’re knocked down like ten levels. It’s just a kick in the shins,” she said candidly. “Students who once dreamed of changing the world are suddenly just trying to survive. But it’s not the end of the world. Life goes on, and you can still do incredible things.”
That mindset—grounded, optimistic, and deeply empathetic—has shaped RFC’s culture under Grace’s leadership. “When students meet alumni who’ve built amazing careers, it grounds them again. It reminds them what their dreams were—and why they’re doing this.”
From Ski Patrol to Supply Chain Strategy
Grace’s leadership experience didn’t stop at Lally. Off campus, she also served on ski patrol—another role that taught her how to take initiative, stay calm under pressure, and deal with real-world challenges.
“I always joke that I have three full-time jobs: school, finance club, and ski patrol,” she laughed. “But getting off campus helped me stay balanced. It reminded me there’s a world beyond the classroom.”
Though she’s led the Finance Club and studied the finance industry closely, Grace has chosen to pursue a career in supply chain and operations. She’ll be interning with Target this year, drawn in part by the opportunity to continue her education. Long term, she hopes to return to the classroom—this time, as a faculty member.
“Leading RFC made me realize how much I love mentoring and teaching. I never thought I’d want to teach, but now I know it’s something I want to do someday.”
A Legacy of Inclusion and Agency
As she reflects on her time at RPI, Grace hopes to be remembered not just for what she did—but for how she made people feel.
“I hope I helped others stay grounded, see their potential, and remember what they’re working toward. RPI can be tough. But with the right support, it can also be transformative.”
Her advice to future students—especially women—is simple but powerful: “Just put yourself out there. Build your network. Find people who get it. You’ll grow so much when you start believing that you belong.”
Through her leadership, mentorship, and drive to create meaningful change, Grace Peckham has left a lasting impact on the Lally School of Management. And the best part? She’s just getting started.