2019 - 2021 FMA Magazine

MASTERS OF THE FUTURE
SAGAR LEVA
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
PRITZKER SCHOOL OF LAW
What do you find at the intersection of intellect,
international travel, and interaction with some of today’s
hottest names in the music industry? FMA alum Sagar
Leva, of course! After graduating from Auburn in 2016, the
Monroeville native spent time as an advisory consultant
with Ernst & Young before continuing to various
entertainment management firms, including Prodigy
Entertainment and Sony Music Entertainment. As if he
hadn’t already accomplished enough at such a young age,
his latest endeavor is even more impressive; Sagar is now
attending Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of
Law.
In the same way Sagar sought out FMA because of the
practical finance skill set not provided in the classroom,
he also chose Northwestern because of the practicality of
their numerous well-respected practicums and immersive
programs. In addition, he also appreciates the collaborative
classes with Kellogg which provide a unique blend between
both legal and business issues. After obtaining his J.D. this
year, Sagar will be joining Morris, Manning, and Martin in
Atlanta, GA in their transactional law practice.
Even though Sagar has spent time with the likes of DJ
Khaled, Future, and Travis Scott, he still claims his goto
ice breaker is the fact that he once had breakfast in
Switzerland, lunch in Germany, and dinner in France—all
in the same day. You are a rock star, Sagar!
DRAKE POOLEY
STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Drake Pooley (’16) has always been one
for an adventure. Coming to Auburn
from his hometown of Cypress, Texas,
Drake graduated from Auburn in three
years with a dual major 4.0 and then
continued his education at UVA obtaining
a Master’s in International Commerce. He
then began a consulting career with A.T.
Kearney, where he was based out of New
York City and Dubai.
His favorite project while with ATK
consisted of developing a national
nonprofit strategy in a Middle Eastern
country, including creating the national
budget and designing the government
ministry structure. All in all, his team’s
efforts will impact 40 million people for
years to come.
Since returning to the States, Drake has
begun pursuing a different dream—
attaining his MBA from Stanford’s
Graduate School of Business. Aside from
the year-round perfect weather, he cites
the two-dimensional focus on both
innovation and making a positive impact
on the world as his ultimate reason for
choosing Stanford.
After graduating, Drake plans on
transitioning to consumer retail growth
equity or following his entrepreneurial
nature and building his own start-up.
He has continued to give back to FMA,
including hosting guest lectures on
consulting and grad school. He shares,
“FMA gave me a sense of the real
possibilities in the world and what is out
there--outside of the small bubble I grew
up in in the South; FMA always pushed
me to seek more and greater heights.”
Way to go, Drake!
58 FMA 2019-2021 MAGAZINE