By Adriana Betancourt
From an early age, Lydell Curry Jr., ’19, understood the importance of relationships, discipline and continuous growth values that would later shape both his education and career. A 2019 graduate of NIU’s College of Business, Curry earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing, along with certificates in digital marketing and professional sales. His journey reflects how early inspiration, strong mentorship and a willingness to embrace challenges can lead to meaningful leadership opportunities.
During his time at NIU, Curry was actively involved in organizations such as the American Marketing Association, Sales Competition Team and the College of Business Advisory Board, all experiences that helped him develop confidence, strategic thinking and a strong sense of service. Those foundations carried him beyond the classroom and into a career spanning multiple industries, where he has consistently leaned into growth, navigated transitions with intention and built teams in new environments.
Today, as a sales leader at Fortune 500 company DoorDash, Curry continues to reflect on the values shaped during his time as a Huskie leading with purpose, staying open to being challenged and investing in the success of others. His story serves as a powerful reminder to current students that careers are not always linear, but with resilience, mentorship and trust in the process, meaningful impact is within reach.
Q: How did your background or personal experience influence the way you approached your education and early career decisions?
A: Growing up, I was exposed to sales at an early age through my mom, who works in pharmaceutical sales. Seeing firsthand how she built relationships, managed business, loved what she did and created opportunities for herself made pursuing a business discipline a no-brainer for me. I had a strong example of what a successful sales career could look like, and by middle school, I already knew I wanted to be in sales.
Q: Your career path spans multiple industries and leadership roles. How did you learn to trust yourself during these moments of uncertainty or transition?
A: I learned to trust myself by being unrelenting in my pursuit of personal and professional growth. I landed a strong role at UPS right out of college and was very intentional about leveraging my network, building leadership skills and being outspoken about what I wanted out of my career. I focused on discipline and continuous improvement, especially during periods of transition.
Change is always hard, but I became comfortable being uncomfortable and learned to trust that my hard work would get me into the rooms I wanted to be in. I was fortunate to have great mentors along the way, and I approached each new opportunity with confidence, knowing that my education at NIU and in graduate school, combined with real world experience, would carry me through even moments of early self-doubt.
Q: How has your definition of leadership evolved since you were a student?
A: My definition of leadership has evolved meaningfully since my time at NIU. As a student, I actively sought leadership opportunities to develop myself, build confidence and take ownership. Early on, leadership felt more about personal growth and proving capability.
Over time, especially now, while leading a team in a high-growth environment, leadership became about responsibility, setting clear direction, removing obstacles and enabling others to succeed. I’ve learned a great deal from the many leaders I’ve worked for, both by seeing leadership styles I admired and ones I didn’t, which helped shape the type of leader I strive to be.
Q: Can you share a moment at NIU when a professor, advisor or mentor challenged you in a way that stayed with you beyond graduation?
A: One moment at NIU that stayed with me beyond graduation was when Professor Jenny Redisi challenged me to consider industries outside of pharmaceutical sales, which I was dead set on pursuing at the time. Instead of simply validating my plan, she encouraged me to explore something different and think more broadly about where my skills could translate.
Because of that challenge, I explored other paths and ultimately landed a corporate role at UPS, where I was fortunate to be promoted three times in under six years. That experience became a catalyst for my career and ultimately led me to where I am today. By pushing me to consider other verticals, Professor Redisi helped accelerate my growth and taught me the value of staying open to being challenged.
Q: Looking back, how has your involvement with the College of Business Advisory Board influenced how you show up professionally now?
A: Serving on the College of Business Advisory Board played a big role in shaping how I show up professionally today. It taught me the importance of speaking up with purpose, listening to different perspectives and thinking about the broader impact of decisions.
Being part of that group gave me early exposure to leadership, collaboration and advocacy skills I use daily when working with senior leaders and teams. Most importantly, it instilled a mindset of service, which continues to guide how I lead, mentor and stay connected to the NIU community.
Q: Many students feel pressure to have everything figured out. What would you tell your younger self during these moments of uncertainty?
A: I would tell my younger self that it’s OK not to have everything figured out and that plans will change. Uncertainty is part of the process, not a failure. I’d remind myself to stay constructively aggressive, because every “no” is simply positioning you better for future success.
I’d also emphasize the importance of leaning on your network for support while being uncompromising in the pursuit of your goals. Your journey won’t look like everyone else’s, and that’s OK. Progress isn’t always linear, but consistency, resilience and belief in yourself will take you further than having all the answers upfront.
Q: What does being an NIU alumnus mean to you at this stage of your career?
A: Being an NIU alumnus means staying connected to a community that continues to open doors and create opportunities. The NIU network has remained incredibly strong for me, by building relationships with fellow College of Business alumni and having the opportunity to come back and teach and mentor students in the very rooms where I once sat as a student.
The skills I gained at NIU are ones I leverage daily, whether it’s communication, leadership or strategic thinking, and they’ve played a direct role in my career progression. I’m proud to be a Huskie, and NIU has been instrumental in helping me realize not only my professional goals, but more than I ever imagined possible.
