It’s Never Too Late to Take Flight

Originally from Erie, Pa., Tracie moved to Pittsburgh in 1993 to pursue an undergraduate degree in business administration. She balanced school and a job—sleeping and studying during the little free time she had. 
 
After graduation, she worked in accounting and treasury roles. She always aspired to earn a master’s degree, but the practical voice in her head told her to wait, as she was busy raising two children alongside her husband, a Duquesne alum.
 
“It wasn’t the right time for me to go back to school, and a master’s felt out of reach,” she said.

A horizon-expanding education 

Fast forward to 2024. Tracie was on vacation with her family and found an email from the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business in her inbox highlighting its program offerings. It inspired her to take the next step. 
 
Senior Director of Recruitment and Admissions Chris Rouhier reached out to discuss Tracie’s interests, needs and career aspirations. That positive conversation—coupled with knowing that there was no GMAT required—inspired Tracie to apply to and enroll in the master’s in finance program. She pursued a hybrid learning format. 
 
“I did like that in-person feel, but I also like the online classes,” she said. “Because of how the professors taught, I never felt like I was alone. The faculty and students are accessible.”
 
Transitioning to virtual platforms at work during the COVID-19 pandemic helped Tracie adapt to the hybrid class format, one that was very different from her in-person undergraduate experience decades earlier. “I went to college in the ‘90s,” she said. “But because of COVID, I became very used to doing things online.”

Discovering new possibilities 

Tracie’s professional life as treasurer at a global chemical and materials manufacturing company was an asset to her studies, as she came equipped with technical skills that gave her professional confidence and a head start.
 
Family support also pushed her to never stop striving for bigger goals. Tracie’s husband drove her younger daughter to dance class and school so she could focus on homework, and everyone knew that Sundays were “mom’s homework day.” 
 
“My husband knew this was always a goal, so he was there to support me. The only tough thing for me to transition to was books being online, so I would order all the physical books,” smiled Tracie. “I need a book.”
 
A few months prior to completing her master’s degree, Tracie received an exciting phone call from the Allegheny County Airport Authority that would propel her career and allow her to challenge herself. 
 
“I got the call to interview for the treasurer role and thought to myself, ‘what would I do at an airport?’ After talking to the CFO and recruiter, it actually sounded like a fun job,” she said. 
 
Associate Professor of Finance Dr. Gokhan Sonaer walked alongside Tracie and helped her prepare for the interview. 
 
“I could go up to any of my professors and have a conversation and talk to them about real-life experiences and how they can help,” said Tracie.  

New opportunities take flight

Tracie graduated from her master’s program in May 2026, not long after starting her role with the airport. 
 
As airport treasurer, Tracie leads the treasury team, overseeing the airport’s banking relationships, investments, capital funding and grant compliance administration. Her team provides financial oversight for the airport’s $1.7 billion Landside Terminal Program and more than 100 active capital projects while ensuring local, state and federal grant funds are managed responsibly and in accordance with funding requirements.
 
“What’s exciting at the airport is the job goes beyond treasury,” said Tracie. “I get to watch projects get completed and make sure we have enough money to do it. It’s pretty fun.”
 
A graduate degree prepared Tracie for the role by enhancing her time-management skills and upskilling her in emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence. The program also taught her “how to think differently.”
 
“Sitting in class with other individuals—especially younger individuals—I had a different perspective on life, so it forced me to think of things in a different way and make sure I was thinking it through,” said Tracie.
 
She also enjoyed hearing from guest speakers—entrepreneurs who discussed what it takes to start a business. This enhanced Tracie’s ability to listen and further appreciate different perspectives. 
 
“Now I go into meetings and give people the grace to explain themselves,” she said. “This program really does prepare you for the work.”
 
As a bonus, Tracie’s office sits right off the runway and she can see planes take off and land from her window. With a supportive family that trusted in her potential, a master’s degree and a dream job secured, she encourages others to reach beyond what’s familiar and pursue their passions.
 
“Take the plunge and go for it,” said Tracie. “You’ll learn so much more than what the textbook says.”