Two LeBow College of Business alumni were named in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s list of “40 under 40.” AmyLynn Flood (’01) and Steve Ward (’03) were selected from over 250 nominees.
Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award is now in its 22nd year. The award recognizes local young professionals for outstanding success and contributions to their community. All of the honorees will be featured in a May 11 supplement of the magazine, and on May 22 they will be toasted at an evening “talent show” at the Crystal Team Room.
Flood, who graduated with a master’s degree in taxation, is a certified public accountant and a partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Global Human Resource Services Group. She works in the total compensation practice and focuses on executive compensation and its related tax issues.
Flood has co-authored articles confronting employee benefit issues for the Journal of Employee Benefits and Oil, Gas and Energy Quarterly. CFO.com has quoted her on compensation issues as well.
“My long-term goal is to build a legacy. I want to see people who I have mentored succeed and have others say, ‘She made a difference in Philadelphia,’” Flood said.
Additionally, Flood is the community service champion of her company. In this position she has facilitated community service efforts at the Murphy Recreation Center in South Philadelphia, the city’s PAL, and Philabundance.
“I had high aspirations to become a partner at a big firm, but I’ve gotten fulfillment from the work outside of clients as well,” Flood said, referring to her work recruiting from local universities as well as her community service.
Flood’s managing partner, Ed Lovelidge, nominated her for the 40 Under 40 award and was notified March 13 that she had been chosen for the list.
“I was excited. I knew the nomination was going in, but I knew there was a lot of competition to go up against, too,” Flood said.”
Flood offered words of encouragement to current Drexel students.
“Be true to yourself. Think about what is important to you, and let that drive your decisions,” she said.
Drexel’s other winner, Ward, is the CEO of Master Matchmakers. He is also known as the host of VH1 shows “Tough Love” and “Tough Love Couples.”
Ward, who describes himself as a “love coach, dating guide and relationship expert,” has 3,500 clients across the country.
George Tsetsekos, dean of the LeBow College of Business, nominated Ward for the honor.
“It brought me to tears, I was really proud of it. I appreciated being recognized for my business acumen rather than dating, so I was really moved,” Ward said to describe his reaction when he found out he made the list.
Ward has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Glamour, People, OK! and US Weekly. He has also appeared on “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “Rachel Ray,” “Entertainment Tonight,” “Access Hollywood,” “EXTRA” and Fox News. In 2009, Ward co-authored a book with his mother JoAnn, the chair and founder of Master Matchmakers, titled “Crash Course in Love.”
In May 2011, Ward served as master of ceremonies at the Moyer Foundation’s fundraising auction at Citizens Bank Park to raise funds for Camp Erin, the largest free bereavement camp in the country for grieving children and teens.
One of the proudest moments of Ward’s career was when he opened the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 27, 2009, as his ambition as a student at Drexel was to trade on the stock exchange. Another gratifying moment was when he became a published author. Now, Ward says that a long-term career goal is to become the first-ever dating mogul.
“I hope to reach a certain point where I can provide financial security for family and generational wealth. I hope to start a family of my own and settle down and have children — be a father and a husband. This won’t happen in the immediate future because I’m so passionate about my career,” Ward said.
Ward cites the example of a crazy ex-girlfriend stalking pages as well as employers judging potential employees based on the content on their profiles.
“Be very mindful of your privacy settings on Facebook. Segment friends, classmates, teachers and co-op employers into specific lists and know what you share with those different people,” he said.
Ward will be at Drexel University May 2 for a lecture on love and relationships followed by a book signing. The event will be held in Behrakis Grand Hall at the Creese Student Center from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.