March 17, 2024 | News & Feature Stories
For Matthew (Matt) Eby, Founder and Managing Director of Nth Degree Financial Solutions, LLC, the decision to pursue a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree wasn’t driven by the desire for a title—it was fueled by something deeper: a lifelong commitment to excellence, a passion for ethical leadership, and the drive to continuously push the boundaries of what he could achieve.
A Strong Foundation Built on Expertise
For more than 25 years, Matt has led his consulting firm, advising clients on operational flows, risk management, compliance, and strategy. The firm operates with a clear commitment to excellence and a client-first mentality. With an emphasis on listening deeply to clients’ unique needs, challenges, and aspirations, Matt and his team have earned a reputation for delivering custom solutions that help clients navigate the complexities of the fiduciary landscape.
With a track record of establishing his own company, developing and teaching certification programs, speaking at conferences, and most recently, publishing a book on fiduciary challenges (“The Invisible Threat: A Professional Fiduciary’s Guide to Unseen Challenges in Wealth Management“), Matt is no stranger to leadership and expertise. Despite his successes, he remains steadfast in his belief: even after decades of experience, there’s always room to grow.
The Decision to Pursue a DBA
“I hadn’t really thought about pursuing a doctoral degree,” Matt admits. “I’ve been in business for over 40 years, and felt like I had a high level of expertise. But when I discovered Edgewood College and spoke with a Graduate Admissions Counselor, I started to think about what an opportunity like this could do for me and others.”
At this stage in his career, Matt’s interest wasn’t about earning another degree—it was about expanding his knowledge, creating new insights, and setting higher standards of excellence for the industry. The prospect of conducting original research, of contributing to the body of knowledge in his field, was something Matt hadn’t considered before but found to be compelling.
“I’ve always been a believer in lifelong learning,” Matt says. “And I knew there was still more for me to learn. I wanted to push myself and keep growing. So in pursuing this DBA, the idea of creating knowledge, rather than just consuming it, was a huge motivator for me.”
A New Challenge: The DBA Journey
Taking on a doctoral program after so many years out of an academic setting was no small feat. Matt admits he had concerns: “I wasn’t sure what the online courses would look like, how I would adapt to the technology, or whether I would even enjoy the academic environment anymore.” But the flexibility of Edgewood College’s DBA program, coupled with its strong ethical foundation, made it the perfect fit for Matt’s goals. He finds the coursework to be manageable and challenging.
“Edgewood’s emphasis on ethics resonated with me,” Matt explains. “Business ethics has always been at the heart of my firm’s philosophy, and I wanted to explore it further at the academic level. What I’ve learned in my Business Sustainability and Ethics course has been a real eye-opener—it’s helped me examine closely how ethical behavior impacts leadership, decision-making, and organizational culture.”
Despite his initial concerns, Matt found the transition to online learning to be more manageable than he expected. Even with the asynchronous nature of the coursework, Matt has still been able to connect with others, “I’m proactive in reaching out to instructors and classmates to learn more deeply and gain others’ perspectives on topics covered in class.”
The Value of Lifelong Learning
As an expert in his field, Matt’s decision to return to school wasn’t driven by the need to prove his worth—he already had years of success behind him. Instead, it was about continuing to evolve, to expand his horizons, and to better serve his clients and his industry as a whole.
“Every class I’ve taken so far has been valuable,” Matt reflects. From contemporary research in business ethics to organizational behavior. One of his biggest takeaways has been learning how to conduct academic research—a world he hadn’t necessarily been exposed to before. A completely different skillset than what he was used to, his exposure to academic research has enabled him to look at problem solving from a wider lens.
For Matt, this journey has been about more than just the course content—it’s about unlocking potential within himself. The process of creating knowledge and setting new standards are the aspects he’s found most rewarding. Throughout his time in the doctoral program, he aims to push himself to do more, be more, and ultimately encourage others to do the same.
Looking Ahead: Setting the Standard for Ethical Leadership and Continuous Learning
As Matt gears up for the dissertation phase of the DBA program, with anticipated graduation in 2026, he’s already thinking about his topic and how he can further contribute to the body of knowledge in his field. “My research will likely focus on the intersection of ethical behavior and business success—specifically, how companies that prioritize ethics can achieve a competitive advantage and create long-term value for their stakeholders,” he explains.
This DBA journey reaffirms his long-held belief that there is always more to learn, regardless of how experienced one may be. “The best work you do is always ahead of you,” he says, remembering what his mentor, Dr. Eli Goldratt once told him, “If you think you can achieve your goals by yourself, then you must not have set them high enough.” You have to set your sights outside the ballpark, and keep learning from others—your instructors, your classmates, and your colleagues. Collaboration is the key.
The Edgewood College Difference
The Doctor of Business Administration program isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about fostering a mindset of continuous improvement and lifelong learning. For leaders like Matt, the program offers the opportunity to learn new skills and to create knowledge that will provide lasting value in their fields, organizations, and communities.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise, contribute to industry knowledge, or simply keep learning, Edgewood College offers a supportive environment for business professionals to expand their horizons and make a lasting impact on business today and in the future.