Wesley Lo is on a mission to reframe how organizations think about risk – transforming it from a safeguard into a driver of innovation and resilience. Through NC State’s MRA program, he’s gaining the technical expertise and leadership skills to bridge analytics and strategy at the enterprise level.

Get to know Wesley

Program: Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA)
Start date: Fall 2023
Anticipated graduation date: May 2027
Current location: Durham, NC

Life before Jenkins

Work experience: 11 years
Industries: Technology and banking
Role: Third-party risk program manager
Fields: Risk management
Undergraduate education: NC State. B.S. Business Administration – IT/IS

Career goals

For Wesley, risk management isn’t just about protecting value – it’s about uncovering opportunities that lead to smarter, more strategic decisions. “My long-term career goal is to become a strategic leader in risk management, helping organizations not only protect their value but also uncover opportunities through smarter, data-informed decisions,” he says.

Wesley is passionate about bridging the gap between technical analytics and business strategy, ensuring that risk insights are communicated clearly to decision-makers across the enterprise. He envisions himself leading cross-functional teams that design and implement enterprise-wide risk frameworks that are agile, predictive and aligned with organizational goals.

The Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program is a key step toward that vision. “The program’s combination of technical depth and leadership development is exactly what’s needed in today’s complex risk landscape,” he explains. “Through real-world projects and collaboration with industry professionals, I’ve sharpened my ability to translate data into strategic action.”

Ultimately, Wesley aims to be a catalyst for change in how organizations think about risk – as a strategic advantage rather than a barrier. “By earning this degree, I’m building the foundation to influence how businesses respond to uncertainty, innovate responsibly, and build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.”

“By earning this degree, I’m building the foundation to influence how businesses respond to uncertainty, innovate responsibly, and build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world.”

Why Jenkins? 

NC State’s strong connection to the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Initiative was a major draw for Wesley. “The program is integrated with a collaborative network of risk professionals who actively shape the conversation around today’s most pressing challenges,” he says.

Through events like the ERM Roundtable Summit, students engage in dynamic discussions with experts from industries including finance, technology and healthcare. “The ERM Initiative’s mission – to advance enterprise risk management and equip leaders with the latest strategies – aligns perfectly with my career goals,” Wesley explains. “NC State’s ability to combine academic rigor with practitioner-driven learning made it the clear choice for developing both the strategic and analytical skills I need.”

Daily life

Wesley balances a fast-paced professional role with his studies as a third-party risk program manager at NetApp in RTP. “The flexibility of the MRA program allows me to manage coursework in the evenings and on weekends,” he says. “Group projects are designed with working professionals in mind, which helps me maintain a healthy work/life balance.”

Outside of work and school, Wesley stays active and connected through kickball and mahjong – a game he played growing up that has become a way to reconnect with his cultural roots. He also makes time to give back, serving as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle for the past seven years. “Supporting my mentee, who’s now a high school junior, has been incredibly rewarding,” he says. “It’s a reminder of the importance of investing in others, even while pursuing my own goals.”

What makes it great

For Wesley, the most impactful moments in the program have been hands-on projects with real-world applications. In one class, his team led a site selection analysis to recommend the next five store locations for major brands like Chipotle, Dick’s House of Sport, Walmart and Warby Parker. “We didn’t just collect and analyze data – we looked at demographic trends, competitive landscapes, and geographic factors to make actionable, data-driven recommendations,” he says.

Another project focused on a local coffee shop, where students built predictive sales models, optimized product offerings, and analyzed customer reviews to support its growth strategy. “These experiences sharpened my ability to translate complex data into insights that directly drive business value,” Wesley says. “They’ve shown me how analytics can be a powerful tool for risk-informed decision-making.”

Career impact

The program’s concepts have translated directly into Wesley’s current work in third-party risk management. “We’ve shifted from static vendor risk evaluations to more dynamic, forward-looking assessments using predictive modeling techniques,” he explains. This change has streamlined processes and improved how risks are communicated to business owners and leadership.

“Now I can present insights backed by data and visualized in a way that makes complex scenarios easier to understand and act on,” Wesley says. “It’s strengthened cross-functional collaboration and positioned risk as a strategic enabler rather than just a compliance function.”

Final thoughts 

Wesley recommends the program to anyone interested in shaping the future of business through risk and analytics. “Whether you’re already in a risk-related role, looking to pivot into one, or just want to learn about risk management, the program offers practical tools and strategic insight that are immediately applicable,” he says.

“Whether you’re already in a risk-related role, looking to pivot into one, or just want to learn about risk management, the program offers practical tools and strategic insight that are immediately applicable.”

His advice? “Come ready to engage deeply with real-world challenges – this isn’t just theory. The hands-on projects, industry collaboration and integration with the ERM Initiative make it a powerful experience that can transform how you think about and manage risk.”

Get in touch

Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn or at wvlo@alumni.ncsu.edu.

Learn more

To learn more about the Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program, including tuition, curriculum, career opportunities and more, please submit the form below. 

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This post was originally published in Master of Management Risk & Analytics.