Aly Egan ’18: from audit to asset management — and always paying It forward

Aly Egan’s career path has been anything but conventional—but every turn has been marked by strategic thinking, hard work, and a clear vision for where she wants to go next.

After graduating with an accounting degree from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business in 2018 on a funded scholarship, and a master’s of accounting at UNC-Chapel Hill, Aly began her career at EY in Washington, D.C., where she audited a major private equity client. It didn’t take long for her to realize that what captivated her most wasn’t accounting—it was the complexity and creativity of real estate valuation and transactions. That insight led her to transition into a career in real estate private equity acquisitions, and eventually pursue an online executive MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill, on a funded fellowship. Her experience reinforced how vital scholarship support is in helping talented students pursue undergraduate and graduate education.

Today, Aly lives in New York City, where she recently stepped into a leadership role overseeing asset management for a national real estate firm focused on student housing.

As she’s grown professionally—most recently completing her MBA—Aly has remained deeply connected to the Hokie community. As a student, she served on the Dean’s Advisory Board of Students (DABS), and later joined Pamplin’s Recent Alumni Board (RAB). Now, she gives back in a new way: through monthly recurring donations to the accounting department.

“I got so much from my education at Virginia Tech,” she said. “If I can go out to dinner with friends, I can absolutely give at least that much to support future students every month.” It’s a perspective shaped by her family's longstanding culture of giving back—especially in support of higher education.

Whether she’s analyzing investment strategies or writing a research paper on FAFSA policy delays, Aly brings curiosity, discipline, and leadership to everything she does.

We caught up with Aly to talk about her path from Pamplin to private equity, what fuels her success, and why she’s so passionate about giving back.

Where you’ve been—and where you’re building next…
I started in audit at EY, but I quickly realized I loved the valuation and transaction side of the work more than the accounting. That interest led me into private equity real estate, and today I’m on the asset management team at a firm focused on student housing. I really enjoy seeing the full lifecycle of a deal—from underwriting and closing to working with leasing and construction teams to execute the business plan.

Early lessons in leadership…
One of the best lessons I learned came from my first manager at EY. He always took ownership and accountability of decisions, whether positive or negative. That humility and transparency earned so much respect and created a strong team culture. I try to lead with that same mindset now.

A project that pushed you to grow…
In my MBA program at UNC, I spent eight months researching the impact of FAFSA delays on the student housing sector. It involved interviews with government officials, academics, and industry leaders. It was rigorous and relevant to my day-to-day work—and reminded me how much I value research and critical thinking, a love that started with my independent study at Virginia Tech.

Why I give back now—not later…
Higher education has always been important in my family—we’re longtime donors. I was fortunate to receive scholarships from both Virginia Tech and UNC. Even though I didn’t need the scholarship at Tech, it felt important to pay that forward. I now give monthly through a recurring donation. It’s easy, and for me, it’s about doing something meaningful with consistency.

Your Hokie moment: The one that sticks…
That independent study I did with Dr. Reza Barkhi really shaped me. There wasn’t a set syllabus—it was entirely self-directed. It taught me to manage a project, think creatively, and engage with academic literature. It still influences how I approach complex projects at work today.

The power of being part of something bigger…
The further I get from graduation, the more I value the Hokie network. Events like Hokies on Wall Street remind me how much our alumni are doing. Supporting Pamplin helps me stay connected and proud of how the college is growing and raising its national profile. I truly believe my education at Virginia Tech was just as strong as what I experienced at UNC, and that is a direct result of the immense resources invested by state, individual, and corporate funding.

Real estate, reimagined…
In student housing, we’re seeing a shift—students are paying closer attention to finances and taking ownership of their living costs. It’s reshaping demand and will likely ripple into multifamily housing as they age. I’m also glad to see some rent stabilization after years of volatility, especially post-COVID.

From Blacksburg to NYC…
Virginia Tech instills an incredible work ethic. I’ve seen that again and again in fellow alumni—and it translates well to New York. People here hustle. They’re sharp, driven, and constantly moving. I love the energy. I think I’ll be here a while.

What keeps you focused…
Honestly? Barry’s Bootcamp. I go regularly, always with the same instructor. It’s my ritual—it centers me and helps me reset.

What’s ahead…
In this new role in asset management, I’m excited to deepen my experience and grow my network. I’m learning a lot by working closely with leasing and construction teams. Long-term, I want to keep building in this space and stay open to new opportunities that challenge me and help me grow.