Patriot Beyond the Post: How Jacob Wadler ’19 Leveraged a CDS Foundation into a Dynamic Career (and a Lifelong Brotherhood)
If you want to know what the Carrollwood Day School experience is truly about, you don’t just look at the diplomas on a wall; you look at the lifelong community that follows our graduates wherever they go.
Take Jacob Wadler ’19, for example. Today, Jacob is crushing it as a Business Development Associate for Renasant Bank in Atlanta. But if you trace his steps backward from his current success, you’ll find a roadmap fueled by ambition, a relentless work ethic, and a network of Patriots who have been by his side every single step of the way.
Jacob spent seven transformative years at CDS, a time he credits with giving him a massive head start.
"Because of the rigor and expectations at CDS, transitioning to college felt much easier academically," Jacob reflects. "I already felt well prepared for the workload and level of responsibility."
That preparation paid off big time at Florida State University, where Jacob earned both his undergraduate degree and an accelerated one-year MBA. He wasn't just sitting in lecture halls, either. Jacob jumped headfirst into campus life, serving as his fraternity’s treasurer while balancing local jobs as a valet and a bartender.
But Jacob knew that classroom success was only half the battle. During his MBA, he locked down an internship as a finance intern for Rapid Business Plans, driving financial projections. That single internship became the ultimate turning point. A coworker from that role introduced Jacob to a recruiter, which led directly to an opening at Renasant Bank. Before he had even officially graduated or walked into his first day of work, Jacob and his FSU college sweetheart (now his fiancée!) confidently signed a lease on an apartment in Atlanta, ready for their next chapter.
Jacob’s Golden Advice: The earlier you get an internship, the better off you'll be. Connections are everything. If you know somebody, go the extra mile for them, because you never know how it'll pay off.
The "CDS For Life" Crew
While Jacob’s career took him to Georgia, his heart—and his inner circle—remain firmly rooted in the CDS community. The bonds formed on the Bearss Avenue campus don't fade after graduation; they scale.
- The College Roomie: Jacob’s FSU roommate was none other than fellow Patriot, Nick Molano (’19).
- The European Adventure: In the summer between undergrad and his MBA, Jacob and a massive pack of CDS alumni took off for an unforgettable trip across Europe together, including Will Grisack (’19), Nick Watts (’19), Gunnar Brynjolfsson (’20), and Christian Blakely (’19).
- The Road Trips: Jacob and Nick still regularly pack their bags for weekend trips to Nashville to visit Carter Schmidt (’19).
Whether it’s looking back fondly on Senior Soccer Night, laughing about the freedom of Senior Lunch Day, or flying across the Atlantic with his high school best friends, Jacob’s story proves that the CDS community is a lifelong asset.
CDS doesn’t just prepare students to get into college; it shapes the character, accountability, and relationships that launch them into a successful adulthood. We are so proud of you, Jacob, and we can’t wait to see where your career takes you next!
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!