Sophomore is awarded a scholarship for his impact and emerging leadership

Aadil Yousuf isn’t your typical finance student motivated by money. He’s driven by a larger mission – using his skills to uplift his community and spark change. At just 20 years old, the sophomore at Rutgers Business School-Newark has already led projects that have made an impact in several communities. 

Helping to establish a new tradition in his hometown of Fair Lawn, Yousuf worked with the mayor to organize the town’s first-ever crescent lighting for Ramadan, an event that drew over 100 attendees. Expanding his reach across borders, he spearheaded a fundraiser that provided clean water wells in Pakistan, directly improving lives in underprivileged communities.

Yousuf's dedication to serving diverse communities, both near and far, inspired Stout, a leading financial advisory firm, to award him the Diverse Emerging Leadership Scholarship. He was one of just five students in the U.S. to receive the honor.

“This support will bring me one step closer to my goal of using my skills to one day make a meaningful impact in the financial industry,” Yousuf said.

Amid a full course load and a finance co-op with Johnson & Johnson, Yousuf is also making a difference at Rutgers. As the founder of Rutgers Muslim Business Professionals, he aids students in connecting with alumni and navigating coursework. As a peer advisor, he helps classmates understand complex economic concepts by breaking down the “why” behind ideas.

For Yousuf, finance isn’t just about theories. It's a tool for empowerment.

“The knowledge of finance and how money circulates through our economy is interesting,” he said. “But I hope to use my skillset to make a difference for others one day. I want to be able to use my expertise in finance and economics to not only serve myself but also foster change in underprivileged communities.”

Yousuf’s passion for learning has opened doors to some incredible opportunities – and even sparked an entrepreneurial venture.

As a high school sophomore, he noticed that limited-edition sneakers were being bought up by automated bots. Instead of competing against them, he became an expert in sneaker bot technology himself. Eventually, he worked with an AI bot company to manage sales, selling product licenses.

Yousuf uses his love for numbers to fuel another passion: basketball. He doesn't just play the game — he analyzes it. At Muslim Basketball, a nationally recognized league, he serves as a commissioner, tracking player stats, organizing matchups, and managing logistics to ensure competitive, well-run games. 

Through connections he made playing in the elite league, Yousuf scored an internship with the NBA. This summer, he'll be working in finance, focusing on generative AI strategy. 

“Aadil is one of the sincerest students I've encountered,” said Wahab Ashraf, his statistics professor. “He is passionate about learning, growing, and providing service. He is someone who makes society a better place.”

Reflecting on his journey, Yousuf credits his parents for instilling this drive to succeed. 

“They sacrificed so much to give me opportunities they never had,” he said. “I feel a responsibility to make the most of those sacrifices, not just for myself, but to give back to others who face similar challenges.”

“To have the opportunities and access that I do, I would be a fool not to make the most of them," he said. 

-Elise McIntosh