Rebecca Baptiste-Forbes Carter '17, economics, international relations, and French

Rebecca Baptiste-Forbes Carter '17 graduated from Bucknell with three degrees — economics, international relations, and French — a reflection of her broad intellectual curiosity. 

Now a vice president of corporate development at JPMorgan Chase, she leads strategic initiatives in the bank's consumer auto business, pitching new partnerships, managing client relationships and negotiating high-stakes transactions.

In 2025, her impact in finance earned her a spot on Forbes' Finance 30 Under 30 list.

Rebecca Baptiste-Forbes Carter ’17 draws on her interdisciplinary Bucknell education to innovate in finance and technology. Photo courtesy of Ring Concierge

Carter's career bridges finance and technology. She launched her journey in equity trading and sales at Morgan Stanley before pivoting to the tech startup space. She credits her interdisciplinary background with shaping her dynamic problem-solving approach — whether navigating tax credits, tariffs or supply chain complexities in the evolving automotive sector. Her expertise in energy and environmental policy, coupled with a diplomatic mindset, gives her a strategic edge in an industry undergoing rapid transformation.

How did your Bucknell experience shape you?

Before coming to Bucknell, I didn't realize how much I loved learning. That sounds childish, but it's true — I thrive when I'm challenged. I was a triple major — if they let me do more, I would have. Being a student-athlete and playing volleyball was one of the most defining experiences of my life. I look back on that time so fondly, even though it was so hard and challenging to balance athletics and academics. But being an athlete isn't just about being physically tough. It's also about mental toughness. At the Division I level, you're competing against people who are better than you, and there are some really powerful lessons in that experience — about resilience and perseverance.

Another experience that really defined my Bucknell education was studying abroad in France. As a French major, immersing myself in the language, living with a host family who did not speak English and learning to connect with people in a different culture was really valuable. The experience has benefited me in corporate America.

What classes or professors had a lasting impact on you?

If you're curious about something, Bucknell probably has a class for it. All of my professors made me feel like I was capable and could take on big challenges.

One of the most meaningful connections I had was with my French professor, Professor [Renee] Gosson, who teaches courses on the French Caribbean. I have family from there, which deepened my connection to her classes. I took classes I may not have otherwise taken just to have Professor Gosson. 

In economics, Professor [Jan] Knoedler is a fascinating professor. She taught me that economics isn't just about numbers — it's about politics, society and the way systems shape our world. I became a teaching assistant for her.

Another influential experience was interning for President [John] Bravman as part of the Bucknell Undergraduate Executive Intern Program. It was a wonderful experience. Unbeknownst to me, he emailed my parents and said, "Your daughter is really something. She's smart and capable." They have that email framed in their house.

Bucknell has been such an influential part of me. I'm the product of a lot of really different experiences that come back to Bucknell.

What's something you wish you had known as a student?

It's okay not to know what you want to do when you come to college. I came to Bucknell thinking I'd study biology or biochemistry; I thought I wanted to be an optometrist. But because of Bucknell's liberal arts approach, I was able to try a lot of different types of classes and really figure out what I was drawn to. Bucknell provided a safe space for me to explore.