When Paige Radke enrolled in the Lubar College of Business’ MS in Financial Analysis program in 2015, she was searching for a way to connect her undergraduate background in economics with real-world business applications. She found it—and more—through Lubar’s Investment Management Certificate Program (IMCP).
“My experience in IMCP and the student investment fund were integral to my professional journey,” Radke said. “It gave me the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and start to trust my gut before entering the real world.”
Today, Radke is a wealth management investment strategist with UMB Bank, where she helps clients navigate their financial futures with a focus on process and relationships rather than just performance.
“I feel an immense amount of responsibility in managing people’s life savings,” she said. “The focus now is more on helping them reach their financial goals, rather than just beating a benchmark which can lead to excessive risk taking.”
Radke credits her success not only to Lubar’s strong academic foundation but also to the mentors and peers who supported her along the way. “I always felt like an underdog, but Lubar faculty, mentors and classmates helped me come into my own,” she said. She still values the guidance of “Coach” Kevin Spellman, who encouraged her to push beyond expectations.
Her professional path has included roles at Landaas & Company and J.P. Morgan before joining UMB Bank. Along the way, she’s learned that career pivots are not setbacks. “Pivoting is not a sign of failure but a sign of personal and professional growth,” she said.
Beyond her career, Radke is passionate about giving back. She mentors young women in business, supports sustainability efforts through her work with Restoring Lands, and, as president of the Lubar Alumni Chapter, spearheaded the creation of the first endowed alumni chapter scholarship fund.
“I believe giving back to your community is one of the most important things a person can do,” she said.
Her personal philosophy is “be a good person, help people,” and it guides everything she does. Whether managing investments, mentoring future leaders, or advancing community causes, Radke is shaping a more resilient and sustainable future. “Little bits of good compound over time to make a better world,” she said, “just like good financial decisions compound to build a secure future.”