Andrew J. Ritter WG16

35; co-founder and president, Ritter Pharmaceuticals, which has developed what could be the first FDA-approved drug for treating lactose intolerance

Proudest professional accomplishment? Taking Ritter Pharmaceuticals public at age 33, while I was still attending business school at Wharton. I could never have imagined molding an eighth-grade science-fair project into a publicly traded company and developing potentially the first FDA-approved treatment for lactose intolerance. Ultimately, I hope my proudest accomplishment will be the approval of this product and its ability to help millions around the world.

Best advice you’ve been given? Always keep the “end game” in mind, and develop bite-size milestone achievements to help you get there. Seeking FDA approval, which can take more than 10 years and tens of millions of dollars, can be a daunting task. However, breaking the steps down into smaller components and achieving them over time builds morale with employees, confidence with investors, and momentum to help you get through the long journey.