In the early 2000s, during a period when interest rates were at generational lows, Tom Anderson, BSBA ’96, was engaged in wealth management at Merrill Lynch.
He had established a flourishing enterprise by marketing securities-backed loans to clientele, a strategy that represented a transformation in the sector. His impressive sales figures garnered the attention of corporate executives, who asked him to recount his journey to motivate other wealth managers.
The speaking engagement resulted in the chance to coach and mentor numerous financial advisers. Inspired by these experiences, Anderson authored a book to impart his perspectives on how particular forms of debt can improve returns for investors. After transitioning his practice to Morgan Stanley, he published The Value of Debt: How to Manage Both Sides of a Balance Sheet to Maximize Wealth (Wiley 2013). The book achieved New York Times bestseller status and led to the release of two additional titles on the subject.
While endorsing his first book, Anderson identified a notable deficiency in lending technology. To solve this problem, he departed from his brokerage career in 2016 to establish Supernova Technology, a cloud-based software company that streamlines securities-based lending for wealth managers, banks, and insurance firms. In 2020, he launched a second enterprise, Anasova, which provides a sales intelligence platform for financial service organizations and professionals.
Currently, Anderson is a recognized authoritative figure regarding the future of financial services. He is a featured specialist in media outlets globally and frequently speaks at industry conferences. He maintains a strong connection to WashU, serving as a member of the Chicago Regional Cabinet. Furthermore, he has contributed to scholarships at Olin Business School and made estate contributions to support the university.
Describe your WashU experience.
WashU was precisely what I sought in a university. I found an amazing circle of friends and had an enjoyable time. I appreciated the campus size, as it was small enough that I frequently encountered familiar faces but large enough that I had the chance to meet new individuals regularly. I dedicated a lot of my time at Olin, but I also took numerous Spanish classes with [Emeritus Professor] John Garganigo. I had been speaking the language since childhood, and he placed me into an advanced course during my first year. It was a tremendous challenge. It consisted entirely of native speakers analyzing classic Spanish literature, and I was quite overwhelmed after the first week. Achieving an “A” in that class was among my proudest accomplishments in college.
Why do you remain engaged with WashU?
I have been a long-standing member of the Chicago Regional Cabinet because I find joy in acting as a connector between the university and the wider Chicago community. The cabinet relays insights from members’ local networks back to the university while also communicating WashU’s narrative to individuals who may be unfamiliar with it. One recent dialogue focused on how effectively the university is connected to the Chicago high school community. Are we capturing the most outstanding applicants from the region? Are students and families aware of the remarkable financial aid that WashU provides? It’s fulfilling to contribute to building relationships and ensuring that talented students from Chicago recognize WashU as a place where they can flourish.
Moreover, I have been making contributions for business school scholarships for many years. As a young graduate, I made smaller donations whenever possible. Later, after relocating to Chicago, I was visited by Olin Dean Emeritus Bob Virgil [MBA ’60, DBA ’67], who encouraged me to contemplate a larger donation to establish a scholarship endowment. Following our discussion, I reflected on it and accepted his challenge because it felt like the right action. I truly enjoy hearing from my scholarship recipients, including Drake Shafer [BSBA ’23], who was the first in his family to attend college. It’s an incredible sensation to know that my scholarship enabled him to achieve his degree.
Why should alumni support the university?
Many of my acquaintances question why I contribute to WashU when there are numerous other commendable causes. Nonetheless, I believe this viewpoint is misguided. I support the university because it is a thriving institution. By aiding success, you are not merely preserving momentum — you are enhancing it. WashU has consistently demonstrated excellence in academics, pioneering research, and a profound commitment to cultivating future leaders. Supporting such an institution is impactful because education creates a ripple effect. By investing in WashU, we empower generations of students and researchers whose innovations and contributions will tackle the very challenges that matter most to us. What occurs here will resonate far beyond the walls of the university.
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