I could not ask for a better fit. Resource generation and allocation are always a challenge in the nonprofit world, and I am confident my prior experience will help identify solutions to this challenge. To be able to apply my skills and directly impact the welfare of animals is an ideal next step for me.
MAPP Alum Vikram Mathur, VG25 Takes on New Role as CFO of Animal Rescue League
Externship at ARL leads to new career that combines his interests in finance and animal welfare
After two decades in corporate finance, Vikram Mathur, VG25 (MAPP) (he/him) decided to take his career in a new direction and become a student again, enrolling in the Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) program at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. His MAPP externship at the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston tapped into his finance skills, pulled in his passion for animal welfare, and led to a full-time position as ARL’s chief finance and operating officer.
“I could not ask for a better fit,” says Mathur. “Resource generation and allocation are always a challenge in the nonprofit world, and I am confident my prior experience will help identify solutions to this challenge. To be able to apply my skills and directly impact the welfare of animals is an ideal next step for me.”
Born and raised in India, Mathur moved to the United States to study economics at the University of Rochester. He went on to earn his master’s degree in international economics and finance at Brandeis University. Mathur led a successful career in corporate finance and business strategy in the hospitality, insurance, and e-commerce sectors. He spearheaded financial planning, operational efficiency, and strategic growth initiatives, and raised and managed millions of dollars in revenue and funding.
“Although I enjoyed many aspects of my corporate career, I always wanted to impact animal welfare through my professional work. To do this in an effective manner, I knew I needed a good educational foundation,” says Mathur. “I will also credit my dog, Maya, who sadly passed away two months ago, as a catalyst for this career change. For over a decade, she has positively impacted my life in many ways. A second career devoted to advancing animal welfare honors her life and memory.”
To position himself for a career transition, Mathur researched in-person graduate programs at universities with strong reputations. The MAPP program at Cummings School rose to the top of the list. He liked the curriculum's structure and the opportunity to gain experience at an animal welfare organization through an externship.
“I tell everyone who asks that it was the best decision I made,” Mathur says of the MAPP program. “I think for the first time in my life, I have learned things that are of great interest to me.”
Mathur appreciated the MAPP instructors’ deep expertise in their subject areas and their availability to students, and enjoyed the discussion-based teaching method.
“I think the staff and their skills and experience really complement each other,” says Mathur. “They have so much experience in diverse aspects of animal welfare, and it comes together to provide students with a solid foundation. The core courses provide key foundational pieces and help students understand how government functions, how to analyze science, how to conduct and present impactful research, and the role of various groups of animals in society. The electives give students the freedom to pursue topics that may be of special interest to them.”
Over the year-long program, Mathur added new skills to his repertoire, such as developing case studies and conducting research. In one course, he designed, administered, and analyzed a survey on people’s motivations behind choosing exotic animals as pets.
Mathur also formed close friendships with his cohort of fellow MAPP students. “I loved my classmates. What was especially interesting was that, despite the shared interest in improving animal welfare, there was a diversity of opinion about the best approach. That made for interesting discussions. I learnt to be respectful of varying opinions and learnt a lot because of this plurality of thought.”
When it came time to consider externship opportunities, Seana Dowling-Guyer, MAPP instructor and associate director of the Collaborative for Shelter Dogs at Cummings School, suggested ARL. She had worked at ARL before joining Cummings School and connected Mathur with MAPP alumna Samantha Fincke, VG16, ARL’s director of community operations.
“Animal welfare is a relatively small world, and MAPP alums are always willing to help,” says Mathur. “I was hoping for a combination of project work and an increased understanding of how animal welfare organizations work, and thanks to Seana and Sam, I was able to spend 10 weeks at ARL doing that. ARL is a storied organization with deep roots in the community. I really enjoyed my experience with them over the summer.”
A nonprofit organization, ARL offers low-cost veterinary care, animal care and adoption, and dog training, among other resources for pet owners. ARL also rescues injured animals, investigates animal cruelty cases, and advocates for animal welfare policies and legislation.
“A common theme I came across in the MAPP program was the resource challenges that shape animal welfare,” says Mathur. “The program reinforced the importance of thoughtful resource generation and allocation to achieve meaningful impact, a perspective that directly informs how I would approach ARL’s financial and operational priorities.”
At the conclusion of his externship at ARL, Mathur was offered the position of chief financial and operating officer. He started in this new role in September.
Department:
M.S. in Animals and Public Policy