Alumni Spotlight: Laketress Jones (B.B.A. '15, MBA '18)

Laketress Jones is a marketing finance manager in the pharmaceutical industry and a UTA alumna, earning her BBA in Finance in 2015 and MBA in 2018. She is also the founder of Black Woman in Finance, a platform that makes finance and career strategy more accessible and relatable. Through the platform, Jones shares content on money management, career growth and professional life with nearly 11,000 followers.

In this alumni Q&A, Jones shares both career and personal advice, and the lessons she learned while at UTA. 

Laketress Jones smiles for a portrait. Photo courtesey of Laketress Jones.

Tell me about yourself! Where are you from, hobbies, passions, family, etc.

I was born and raised in Dallas and come from a multigenerational Texas family…at least until I recently relocated for my new role.

I’ve spent about 12 years in corporate America, working across multiple industries and functions. Finance, in particular, has opened doors for me to understand how businesses operate, influence strategy, and build a career I didn’t know was possible when I first entered college.

Outside of work, I enjoy dancing, exploring different cuisines, reading, and traveling. You’ll also usually find me near a body of water or planning my next international adventure.

Why did you choose to attend UTA? Why did you choose your area of study?

The Maverick Promise program, which helped make college accessible for students from families earning below a certain income threshold. I received academic scholarships and Pell Grants, but they weren’t enough to cover the full cost of college. My parents were incredibly supportive, but paying for my education simply wasn’t financially possible for our family.

When I received my financial aid award from UTA, it was the strongest offer I had. I remember feeling like the university believed in me at a time when I really needed that.

As for finance, math had always been my favorite subject, and a high school career assessment identified ‘analytical thinking’ as one of my strengths. I went to the career center, researched careers that matched those skills, and discovered the role of financial analyst. The rest is history.

Tell me about your experience at UTA; how did UTA help you prepare for your career? Were there any professors, courses, or experiences that had a lasting impact on your professional journey?

One professor who had a lasting impact on me was Dr. Sanjiv Sabherwal, who taught my International Corporate Finance course. That class solidified the kind of financial analyst I wanted to become. One of the projects remains among the most impactful experiences of my undergraduate career, and I still try to send Dr. Sabherwal an update every few years.

My MBA experience challenged me to think differently about business strategy and leadership. I learned a lot about the type of leader I wanted to become and built friendships that continue today.

I still revisit my Personal Leadership Action Plan from the MBA program. Looking back, UTA did more than prepare me for a job, it helped shape how I think, lead, and approach the world.

Describe your path to working in finance. What advice would you give current UTA students hoping to break into the industry?

My first corporate role wasn’t in finance, it was actually in real estate. I told the Vice President of Finance that my goal was to eventually work on his team. He gave me an opportunity to support a finance project, and about 16 months later, I moved into his department as a financial analyst…with a nice pay increase.

My advice is to think about your career in stages.

In your first five years, learn how to think analytically, understand what the numbers actually mean, and learn your business cold. Being able to translate financial results into business impact will distinguish you.

As you gain experience, expand your perspective. Understand your industry and competitors, and seek opportunities to lead. Some of my biggest professional growth came when I began leading others and had to adapt my leadership style to the needs of the team.

What inspired you to create Black Woman in Finance? How do you juggle being a content creator and growing your platform while working a full-time job?

When I was in college, I wanted exposure to finance before committing to it as a career, but I didn’t know any financial analysts. As a first-generation professional, I also didn’t have a family network of people working in corporate America whom I could call and ask.

Black Woman in Finance became my way of being the resource I needed at that age.

I wanted women to see what working in finance actually looks like, understand the skills required, and have a clearer pathway into the profession. The platform has evolved, but it is still rooted in helping a younger version of me understand what is possible.

Balancing it with a full-time career is challenging. Corporate finance has busy seasons, so there are periods of long days and weekends. I try to build content around my real experiences and lessons from work, which allows the two parts of my life to complement each other rather than compete.

Can you share any defining moments in your career that inspired you to continue your work?

One unexpected benefit of Black Woman in Finance is that it made me better at my corporate job.

Explaining financial concepts online forced me to make complex ideas easier to understand. As someone who is naturally introverted, consistently creating content also strengthened my confidence as a presenter.

I began noticing that concepts I tested with my audience translated into stronger presentations and conversations in executive meetings.

That intersection of using what I learn professionally to educate others, while becoming a stronger finance leader in the process… it affirmed that this is work I want to continue.

What's one lesson you learned at UTA that has stayed with you to today?

The power of a global classroom.

I remember being in a class where I was the only American in my group. Hearing classmates approach the same business problem through completely different cultural perspectives changed how I thought.

At the time, I didn’t realize how valuable that experience would become. Today, I’ve worked for global corporations where decisions affect people, customers, and teams around the world. UTA taught me early that good business thinking requires looking beyond your own perspective.

What message do you have for the next generation of UTA graduates?

Sit down and decide what you want for yourself and then start moving like you believe it is possible.

Intentionality matters. When you are clear about where you want to go, it becomes much harder for other people’s opinions to determine your direction.

At one point in my career, I told a room full of people that my next role would be in another department. Nine months later, I was working in that department.

And tell people when they have inspired or impacted you. Some of the most meaningful relationships and opportunities in my career started simply because I took the time to tell someone, “What you did mattered to me.”

Anything else you would like to share?

UTA changed the trajectory of my life. I entered as a student trying to figure out what a career in finance could look like and left with an education, relationships, and confidence that have followed me throughout my career. Being able to come back now and share that journey with current and future Mavericks feels incredibly full circle.