From the Marines to Product Management: Ethan Moody’s Tepper School Journey
Caitlin Kizielewicz
- Email ckiz@andrew.cmu.edu
- Phone 412-554-0074
After serving as a Marine Corps infantry officer, Ethan Moody was ready for his next mission. One that would combine his background in business with a growing passion for technology and innovation.
That mission led him to the Tepper School of Business’ Master of Science in Product Management (MSPM) program, where he graduated in December of 2024.
Moody earned his undergraduate degree in finance and marketing from Penn State before commissioning into the military. When he transitioned out of active duty, he knew he wanted to pivot into the startup world or pursue a top-tier MBA. He explained that a networking conversation with another veteran in Pittsburgh opened the door to a role at a local startup and his first introduction to product management.
“The CEO said, ‘I’m going to make you a product manager.’ I said, ‘That sounds great. I have no idea what that is,’” Moody said. “I got lucky, but I knew I needed to build stronger technical skills.”
After being laid off when the startup ran into funding challenges, he completed a full-stack development bootcamp. That’s when he discovered the MS in product Management program through a Tepper School capstone advisor and felt like it was ideal for what he was looking for.
“I wanted something rigorous and highly respected,” he said. “Carnegie Mellon was a dream come true.”
Because he was already based in Pittsburgh, Moody didn’t need to relocate, which served as an advantage in balancing full-time study with his family responsibilities. At the time, he and his wife were raising a young daughter and welcomed a newborn son shortly before he graduated.
“Having a family while pursuing a graduate degree isn’t easy, but it’s doable with discipline, communication, and support,” Moody explained. “I couldn’t have done it without my wife.”
Since graduating, Moody has continued to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset. He works as a private equity consultant for SteelBridge Ventures Consulting on the portfolio company services team, where he helps companies address both product and operational challenges. His first client through SteelBridge is a New York-based fintech startup focused on building financial risk tools for solar energy developers and investors, where he serves as a product manager.
On the side, he co-founded Palindrome, a Pittsburgh-based skateboarding company that sells twin-shape boards, with Pittsburgh artist Vily Kolesnichenko. They are currently experimenting with machine learning tools to analyze how board setups affect trick performance.
Moody credits the MSPM program with giving him the skills and confidence to pursue both career paths. “Everything I learned, from technical fluency to product strategy, has helped me in both my day job and my business.”
Inspired by Ethan’s story? Carve your own path to product management at the Tepper School by reaching out to us about the MS in Product Management program.