Navy Veteran Giovanna Lopez Bridge’25 on Dartmouth and the Tuck Business Bridge Program
We caught up with Giovanna Lopez Bridge’25, a U.S. Navy veteran and Dartmouth undergrad, to hear how her military background shaped her experience in the Tuck Business Bridge Program.
Can you tell us about your journey from the military to Dartmouth, and how that experience may have prepared you for Tuck Bridge?
My journey from the military to Dartmouth still feels like a dream realized. Transitioning from the Navy into college life was not just a change in environment, it was a shift into an academic world that reinforced discipline, resilience, and the ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds. In the Navy, I learned to show up every day, operate under pressure, and collaborate within teams where trust and accountability were non-negotiable, with lives often on the line. Those experiences shaped how I approach challenges today. What continues to motivate me on this path are my younger sisters, my niece, and the fellow service members I’ve lost along the way. Their presence reminds me that success is not just personal; it’s about representing something bigger than myself and making the most of every opportunity.
The structure and responsibility I learned in the military, combined with the intellectual rigor of Dartmouth, prepared me well for the intensity of the three-week Tuck Business Bridge Program. Bridge requires discipline to show up every day—balancing a demanding course load, preparing for a capstone project, meeting deadlines, pursuing professional development, and building meaningful connections with peers and professionals. Because of my background, Bridge felt both challenging and familiar. It was a natural next step in translating leadership, teamwork, and resilience into the business environment, and I am so grateful for the experience that Tuck Bridge provided.
How has your experience in Bridge shaped the way you think about your career after graduation?
Tuck Bridge broadened how I think about my career after graduation. Through conversations with professors, career advisors, and mentors, I realized there are far more pathways in business and finance than I initially understood. Each conversation opened another door, often leading to introductions to alumni and industry professionals who generously shared their experiences and guidance.
Academically, sessions in accounting, corporate finance, and spreadsheet modeling gave me the confidence to engage more deeply with financial concepts and provided a strong foundation in MBA-level material. Meanwhile, courses like Leading Oneself and Negotiations reinforced how essential relationship management and strategic communication are to long-term success.
What stood out most was how Bridge connected the technical and human sides of business. It challenged me not only to build financial fluency but also to think more intentionally about leadership, collaboration, and professional growth. Because of Bridge, I now approach my internship search with greater clarity, confidence and a stronger skill set.
Specifically, what real-world skills did you gain during Bridge that you’re excited to take into your career or next role?
During Bridge, I gained practical, real-world skills that I’m excited to carry into my next role. One of the most impactful experiences was learning how to value companies using a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. Seeing how assumptions, numbers, and strategy come together to drive real-world decisions shifted the way I think about finance, from abstract concepts to tools that drive decision making.
I also learned how to read 10-K filings, calculate the cost of capital using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), and better understand how the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement connect to tell a company’s full story. Beyond the technical side, I strengthened my ability to communicate insights clearly, using tools like Tableau to transform raw data into visual stories that support decision making. Together, these experiences gave me a strong technical and analytical foundation that I’m excited to continue building as I pursue finance internships and advance in my studies.
Just as importantly, they reinforced my sense of purpose. I want to motivate my younger sisters and my niece to pursue their dreams confidently and see that opportunities like this are attainable. I also want to encourage fellow service members to take advantage of programs like Tuck Bridge and to believe that their experience can translate into success beyond the military. If my journey shows anything, it’s that with the right environment and support, growth is possible—and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
