University of Louisville, Master of Engineering, Engineering Management
Richard Wilson, II is currently a Technical Program Manager at Meta (formerly Facebook). Before starting at Meta, Richard was the co-founder of his first tech startup called Happnin, which was a location-based social media platform geared towards in-person events. He has completed programs with Harvard Business School and has several fellowship and externship experiences with The Takeoff Institute (inaugural class), Ripple Ventures, Paragon One (venture-backed startup), and the National Venture Capital Association. Additionally, he has obtained several internships/ co-ops in Industrial Engineering with UPS Supply Chain Solutions, UPS Airlines, and GE Appliances. Richard graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 2021 and a Master of Engineering in Engineering Management in 2022, where he received the Woodford R. Porter Scholarship (full-ride, merit-based scholarship), co-founded the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council, and served on the executive boards for the National Society of Black Engineers and Speed School Student Council. He is the proud older brother of Regis Wilson, who is an Internal Audit Cybersecurity Summer Analyst at J.P. Morgan. He is originally from Louisville, KY.
Achievements: Dean's Scholar, Co-founder of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Council, Investment Associate at the University of Louisville's Office of Research and Innovation, AfroTech Corporate Scholarship Recipient, Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Featured in Forbes article, and Featured in University of Speed School publication.
Future Plans: After graduation, I will continue to work as a Technical Program Manager at Meta (formerly known as Facebook) in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to this, I will be looking for scouting opportunities to work at venture capital investment firms located throughout the country. I'm seeking to use this time to develop inroads and relationships for me to pursue entrepreneurship and be a startup founder.
"Thank you so much to my GCBC family for providing support and guidance throughout my life, especially as I have recently made this move across the country. With the support of my parents, brother, GCBC family, and friends, leaving home has become an easier adjustment to make. I'm grateful that God has truly provided guidance and direction, especially when the path did not seem clear. I am so excited to see you all again soon!"
-Richard Wilson, II