Nikhil (Nik) Nampalli ’07 currently is the Head of Partnerships at Loop, a Canadian fintech platform that helps businesses simplify financial operations with cross-border banking, multi-currency accounts and corporate credit cards.

When asked about the relationship between his degree and his current position in financial technology, Nik notes that while his degree is in Mechanical Engineering, the real secret to an RIT education—regardless of whether you major in business, art, or engineering—is that it teaches you how to think like a builder and a practical problem solver.

“My engineering background gave me the structural ability to look at complex, messy business problems, break them down into actionable parts, and collaborate across teams to find a solution,” says Nik.

This hands-on mindset wasn't just cultivated in the classroom. At RIT, Nik took full advantage of leadership opportunities across various campus organizations, gaining early, invaluable exposure to managing projects alongside peers from completely different backgrounds and disciplines.

"RIT had a profound impact on me as a student, largely because of those leadership opportunities," Nik reflects.

But his true appreciation for the power of the network happened right around graduation. Nik’s first job right out of RIT was at Citi as part of their Technology Leadership Program, which rotated recent graduates through four different functional areas to prepare them for leadership roles. He landed his first full-time job in finance directly through an RIT alumnus, a close friend of his who is a 2006 Golisano College for Computing and Information Science graduate and was in the Phi Sigma Pi Honor Fraternity with him. At RIT, the two had collaborated closely, co-leading initiatives like Karen’s Walk / 5K Run to raise funds for cardiomyopathy research and spearheading the effort to restart RIT’s signature Brick City 5K Run during the 2006–2007 academic year.

“That single connection changed the trajectory of my career,” says Nik. It proved to him that the agility and collaborative spirit he developed on campus, combined with an appreciation for diverse perspectives, is what allows RIT graduates to adapt and thrive—even in careers that evolve far outside the boundaries of their original fields of study.

After completing the leadership program, he spent another ten years at Citi working across Technology, Project Management, Finance and Product Management functions within the Consumer and Commercial Banking divisions. He relocated a few different times with the company before landing in NYC in 2013. Moving there allowed him to reconnect with local RIT alumni, and he eventually went on to lead the NYC Alumni Chapter.

In 2019, Nik moved to Canada to head up Product Management for American Express Canada. “All of those corporate experiences laid the perfect foundation for what I do now at Loop, which is a fintech startup helping businesses manage international trade and scale globally through cross-border banking solutions,” says Nik.

As life took him to different cities, the RIT alumni network continued to be his anchor. “Whether I was plugging into the New York City chapter or building a new community when I moved to Toronto, the alumni network was how I made real friends and professional connections,” Nik notes.

Having lived the true value of the RIT network, Nik’s leadership on the RIT Alumni Association Board is his chance to pay it forward. He has been a member of the Board for seven years and currently chairs the Membership Committee.

“We have a massive, global alumni base, and I want to help build the infrastructure that allows other alumni to experience that same sense of connection and career acceleration, no matter where life takes them,” says Nik. “There is a deep, quiet camaraderie that exists between RIT alumni. We might not always be as loud or prominent as some of the massive state schools, but that’s because RIT has always been different. And our alumni network reflects that unique culture.”

For alumni looking to get involved, Nik encourages them to remember that volunteer or philanthropic contributions don't have to look like anyone else's. You don't need to jump into a massive, time-consuming role right away. It can be as simple as writing welcome notes to accepted students, sharing your career journey, engaging with RIT’s LinkedIn space, or attending a local gathering.

As Nik points out: “RIT is a place for builders and doers. By getting involved, you aren't just joining a generic club. You are actively helping us shape a unique alumni culture that supports the next generation of Tigers.”