Biography
Yale holds a special place in Cory McCruden’s heart. Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined pursuing a PhD at Yale. She grew up in a tiny apartment in Queens, raised by a father who worked many blue-collar jobs to make ends meet. Since they could not afford prep courses or tutors, she had to figure out on her own how to find the support she needed to further her education.
When McCruden arrived at Yale, the rich history, expansive resources and intellectual community exceeded her expectations. While it was challenging for her to find her path and feel she belonged, it was through her experience at Yale that she realized how much she wanted to give to the world. She explored courses in her department, Political Science, and at Yale’s School of the Environment, which set her up for a successful career in financial services and to pursue a PhD focused on the banking sector’s role in climate change.
McCruden is passionate about building connections between the university and Yale alumni, especially from underrepresented and nontraditional backgrounds. For the Yale Graduate School Alumni Association (GSAA) she has served as a board member, co-chair of the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) Committee, and a member of the Nominating Committee. She is an Entrepreneur in Residence with Yale Ventures, and through the GSAA has been engaging faculty across the graduate school to mentor students interested in both academic and nonacademic careers.
