At Brown Capital Group, we’re firm believers in growth through real responsibility and trust. This month, we shine a light on Development Associate Matthew Schimpf, who reflects on his early days at BCG, the art of thriving in “controlled chaos,” and his evolution from a task executor to a strategic developer.
Diving into Ownership Immediately
“I was surprised by how quickly people trusted me with real responsibility.”
Matthew hit the ground running, taking on complex, high-impact tasks from the start. He was fully embedded in live deals, balancing autonomy with strong support. “It was scary at first. I was triple checking everything. But being thrown in forced me to become resourceful, inquisitive, and proactive.”
That early accountability shaped Matthew’s mindset: engage, own, and drive outcomes.
Building Order in Controlled Chaos
“In development, no two days look the same—and no project unfolds exactly as planned.”
Matthew learned that success in development doesn’t just come from insight—it comes from organizing the chaos. He has created his own systems: meticulous notetaking, priority-setting, and transparent tracking.
“There’s so much information coming at you. Writing everything down, setting clear priorities, keeping yourself honest—became essential.”
These habits are now foundational to how he runs every deal.
Shifting Perspective: From Doer to Thinker
“I used to ask, ‘What’s my next task?’ Now I ask, ‘Why are we doing this? What trade-offs are involved?’”
With growing experience, Matthew deepened his perspective—linking actions to objectives and anticipating impacts across timelines. It’s a shift from execution velocity to strategic foresight.
Support That Fuels Growth (and Paying It Forward)
“Everyone here is busy, but they still make time.”
Matthew highlights the generosity of his mentors—especially Brendan and Jarod—who guided him through communication, ownership, and system-based thinking. That mentorship has inspired him to do the same for newer teammates.
Final Thought
When asked what advice he’d offer to students stepping into the working world, Matthew didn’t hesitate. For him, the ability to ask thoughtful questions—without fear or ego—has been one of the most important drivers of his growth.
He believes it’s not about having all the answers, especially early on. Instead, it’s about being curious, staying humble, and showing a genuine desire to learn. That mindset, he says, builds trust, accelerates development, and opens doors that technical skills alone often can’t.
“Curiosity shows you care,” he reflects. “And that goes a long way.”