Following Up: Jamie Cox ’21, Turnberry

How have you pursued your aspirations to have impact in your career since graduation?

Since SOM, I’ve focused on putting myself in roles where I can meaningfully shape outcomes, not just contribute to them. At Turnberry, leading the retail division of the firm has given me the opportunity to operate at both a strategic and practical level. My approach has been to stay close to the business, understand what’s actually driving performance, and then push for thoughtful and sometimes bold changes that move things forward.

A big part of that has also been building strong teams and creating an environment where people feel they have ownership and accountability. For me, impact isn’t just about the results we deliver. It’s about how we build something sustainable and high-performing over time.

What’s a lesson from the EMBA program that has helped you on your career path?

For me, one of the biggest takeaways was learning to slow down enough to look at problems from multiple angles before jumping to action. At SOM, you’re constantly being pushed to think across disciplines, finance, operations, people. That really stuck with me.

Especially in a fast-evolving field like retail, that mindset helps me step back and ask better questions before making decisions. It sounds simple, but it’s made me a more thoughtful and effective leader.

Have there been unexpected benefits from your SOM education?

Definitely the network. You expect to build connections, but I don’t think I fully appreciated how lasting and meaningful those relationships would be. I still lean on classmates for perspective, advice, or even just a gut check on how they’re seeing things in their industries.

Another unexpected benefit has been confidence in navigating ambiguity. The program doesn’t offer simple answers, and that mirrors real life. It helped me get more comfortable making decisions without perfect information, which is something I have to do constantly in my current role.

What are you most passionate about in your work today?

Right now, I’m really energized by the evolution of retail itself. It’s no longer just about transactions—instead, it’s about experience, connection, and relevance. Being part of shaping what that looks like, how spaces come to life, how brands engage, and how customers feel when they walk in is incredibly motivating.

At the same time, what truly drives me and has become a defining part of my career is leading people. I care deeply about building teams where individuals are both delivering strong results for the company and growing toward their own personal goals. Helping someone expand their confidence, take on more responsibility, or step into a role they didn’t know if they could handle is incredibly rewarding to me.

I’ve come to see leadership as a responsibility to align both company success and personal ambition in a way that feels meaningful and sustainable. When you get that right, performance follows.