Tell us about yourself.
My name is Alec Watts and I am from the North Hills, which is just outside of Pittsburgh. I completed my undergraduate degree in business management with a marketing minor at Waynesburg University. While completing my degree I was also a student athlete on the football team and was nominated team captain by my peers. After graduation I took a road trip across the country with two of my best friends from high school and that trip solidified my desire to be a part of the sustainable change needed for this world. However, I took a job in the industrial gasketing world when I returned. I worked for a small family business for almost two years and gained valuable skills around the ins and outs of running a business. I was drawn to the MBA-SBP program by a former student who thought I would be a great fit for the program. Masters level education has always been my goal, but taking a step away from school made me positive that I needed this education. My passion and drive for a sustainable future has grown exponentially over the past three years. I am excited to work and learn alongside like minded people to help change the world. My goal is to enact change in the agriculture and food systems sector of business. I want to be a part of the change to sustainable regenerative agriculture.
What skill would you like to master?
A skill I would like to master is listening. I want to be completely present for any and all conversations I am a part of. I want to hear and understand the point of view of other people on any topic. Listening seems like an easy skill to master, but the focus is imperative.
What is the best way to start the day?
The best way to start the day is to stretch, meditate and read. Every morning I wake up and immediately move my body with some light yoga and stretching. After a simple workout I try to sit completely still and focus on my breath (this is very difficult). I think about the day to come and express gratitude for the things I have and the day to come. I follow this up with a cold shower to wake up the body and get a little uncomfortable to start the day. My morning rounds out with a bowl of fruit and oats and 20-30 minutes of reading. Finally I make my bed to accomplish the first task before kicking off the day.
Who inspires you to be better?
My younger brother inspires me to be better. He has developed into an amazing young man at the age of 16. He is driven, caring, and tenacious to accomplish his goals. From his workout routine to his school work he is on top of his aspirations. He has dreams to be an Olympic climber and he gives me inspiration every single day by his maturity at a young age.
What are you most looking forward to in the next 10 years?
In the next 10 years I am looking forward to a monumental shift on a global scale. I am looking forward to incredible change in all aspects of life to a cleaner, healthier, more regenerative and more sustainable landscape of human health. People, business and the earth will begin to prosper and coexist together in an incredible balance. Change is coming.
What are you most looking forward to in the MBA-SBP program?
I am most looking forward to the knowledge and relationships that I am going to gain through the MBA-SBP program. The entire enrollment process made me extremely excited because everyone I met put a smile on my face. Humans need community to thrive and I believe this community at Duquesne University will develop and grow as one.
One-Year MBA 