Leon Huang, MSBAi '25
“NYU Stern stood out because of its unique integration of AI with business fundamentals and its focus on real-world applications in areas like generative AI, deep learning, and reinforcement learning—exactly where I saw the future heading.”
As a Senior Business Analyst at Taboola, Leon Huang leads analytical strategy across major global partnerships, including Apple, Microsoft, and Yahoo. His focus is on process optimization, campaign performance, and monetization strategy, using tools like R, SQL, and Tableau to uncover new revenue opportunities. Recently, he took on a strategic initiative focused on Measurement & Attribution--an opportunity that was made possible thanks to the skills he developed through Stern’s MSBAi program.
He recently spoke with Stern about the “immediate and tangible” impact the program has made on his career, the skills he learned that he applies in his day-to-day, and how the program improved both his technical skillset and strategic thinking.
Where were you in your career when you decided to pursue this MSBAi program? Why did you choose Stern over other avenues?
When I applied, I was focused on driving data strategy for $300M+ in annual revenue across key partners at Taboola. While I was confident in my Structured Query Language (SQL) and business acumen, I wanted to go deeper, particularly in machine learning, experimentation, and applied AI. NYU Stern stood out because of its unique integration of AI with business fundamentals and its focus on real-world applications in areas like generative AI, deep learning, and reinforcement learning—exactly where I saw the future heading.
Why was now the moment to make a big investment in yourself?
The analytics and advertising tech industries are undergoing a fundamental shift, accelerated by privacy regulations and the rise of generative AI. I realized that experience alone wasn’t enough. I needed rigorous academic training and exposure to advanced methodologies to stay competitive. The MSBAi program has given me exactly that: the chance to sharpen my technical skillset while also developing strategic thinking needed to lead AI-first initiatives.
What excites you about the field of analytics and artificial intelligence now, and how do you see yourself contributing to the field? How will your experience at Stern help you make that contribution?
I’m most excited by the evolution from more basic reporting and diagnostics to leading strategic initiatives grounded in causal inference and experimental design. With the knowledge I’ve gained from Stern, like marketing mix modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and causal inference frameworks, I feel equipped to lead responsibly in this space, contributing scalable, data-driven innovations to the digital advertising ecosystem.
What has the immediate value-add of the program been on your career?
The impact has been both immediate and tangible. Within months of starting the program, I began applying advanced analytical frameworks to my work. The Stern brand carries weight in executive rooms, but more importantly, I’ve gained the confidence and capability to lead cross-functional projects, designing analytics roadmaps, validating models, and communicating findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
What are some specific skills you gained in the program?
On the technical side, I’ve significantly improved my modeling abilities in both R and Python and gained hands-on experience with machine learning techniques I’m now applying to my day to day. On the interpersonal side, I’ve learned to translate complex data insights into compelling business stories, a skill I rely on weekly when engaging with Taboola’s global advertisers and internal leadership teams.
What three words would you use to describe your experience in the program?
Empowering. Practical. Transformational.