Jiten Sood, '99: The Question That Made It All Add Up
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Jiten Sood, '99, credits alumni mentorship at NIU for shaping his path and remains committed to helping
students find their defining moments. (Photo: Newcastle Investors)
Jiten Sood, senior vice president of finance at Newcastle Investors, vividly recalls a career-defining moment at NIU — one that reveals how preparation, access and the right people can chart a student’s trajectory.
While walking the floor of the Department of Accountancy’s internship fair, Sood was stopped by Lance Smith, ’84. Smith was recruiting for Ernst & Young's real estate division.
“Hi, young man,” Smith said. “Have you ever thought about a career in real estate?”
Sood, an accountancy major, laughed and replied, “No, sir. I have not.”
Smith then smiled and simply explained why he should.
That brief exchange didn’t just lead Sood to a summer internship at EY — it also set the direction of his professional life.
“This happened 27 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday,” Sood said. “That pivotal connection where Lance's insight into the scale and long-term growth potential of the commercial real estate industry was the catalyst I needed to solidify my professional focus.”
For Smith, the interaction affirmed why he returned to campus to recruit and connect with students.
“NIU students have a vast network of alumni resources,” Smith said. “Alumni can be valuable mentors and advocates. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation — someone taking a moment to show a student what’s possible and encourage them to take that step.”
Looking back, Sood sees that moment as more than coincidence. It resulted from campus leadership experiences that built his confidence, coursework that prepared him to walk into the fair, an alumnus eager to invest in developing the next generation, and NIU’s strong industry partnerships connecting students with real-world experience.
Mentorship in Practice
The internship was more than résumé boosting. It was an education in what intentional mentorship looks like. Smith was on site daily and took a real interest in the interns’ development. One week, he assigned a technical research project and asked each intern to formally present their findings. This was not to test them, but to stretch them.
“He took an interest in our development and wanted us to grow,” Sood said.
When summer was over, Sood was grateful.
“I had an internship with Discover Card’s Novus Services the prior summer through the INROADS organization,” he said. “It was a great experience, but working with someone like Lance the following summer and having the chance to prove myself within EY changed everything. Not everyone gets that opportunity. I don’t take it for granted.”
Sood walked away recognizing the valuable role alumni can play in opening doors for students and shaping their futures. He was offered a full-time job at EY before graduating, where he worked as a senior audit associate in their real estate practice for almost five years. From there, he served as a senior financial analyst at Walton Street Capital, director of finance at Apriori Solutions, and chief financial officer at The Airoom Companies. Sood later returned to commercial real estate at Senior Lifestyle as vice president of accounting. In 2021, he joined Newcastle Investors as controller and rose to his current role as senior vice president of finance.
Wanting to provide NIU students with the kind of opportunity once extended to him, Sood advocated for and secured approval to hire an NIU intern during his time at Senior Lifestyle. The experience was meaningful for both and the intern later secured full-time employment. This reinforced Sood’s belief in the long-term value of strong internships and intentional mentorship. He continues to champion pathways connecting prepared students with practical experience.
“When NIU asks, I don’t hesitate,” he said. “I’ve judged pitch competitions and helped students prepare for them. Most recently, I connected with students at a Friends of Entrepreneurship event.”
A Foundational Family Story
Sood grew up in Downers Grove, the youngest of three siblings in a household that valued education. His oldest sister, Serena, followed their father, a retired engineer, into engineering. His middle sister, Neeta, aligned with their mother, a dietitian, becoming an occupational therapist. Sood, however, gravitated toward business.
Long before Sood ever applied to NIU, the university had already become part of his family story — one often told by his mother, Suman Sood, '74.
A first-generation immigrant, Suman pursued her master’s degree at NIU while pregnant with Serena, commuting to DeKalb for evening classes. It was a story she returned to frequently, not as a hardship, but as a point of pride — a reminder of what perserverence and opportunity could make possible.
“She told me the story of being pregnant and driving to NIU to earn her degree often,” Sood said. “What really stuck with me was how much that degree meant to her and the sacrifices she made to earn it.”
From his mother's story, Sood understood that education was something you worked for — and something worth working for. A strong education is a core principle Sood and his wife, Sonam, a dentist, instill in their two young daughters, Nyssa and Nayah.
When it came time to choose a university, NIU stood out for the College of Business’s reputation, particularly in accountancy.
Education Beyond the Numbers
Before debits and credits entered the picture at NIU, Sood heard the phrase, 'accounting is the language of business.' That saying resonated with him. He decided to pursue a major in accountancy and a minor in communications.
“Business and accounting allow you to understand the numbers, but you also have to be able to articulate those numbers into a story,” he said. “Not every accountant can communicate those numbers to non-accountants. It’s a compelling skill set to have, and those who do it well build trust.”
While a student, Sood actively sought leadership opportunities. He was keenly aware that future employers valued these experiences. His most impactful role was two years as a resident advisor in Lincoln Hall, where he gained hands-on leadership experience while earning room and board.
“Room and board weren’t just a benefit,” Sood said. “It was a job. You were responsible for the safety and well-being of residents.”
Between his RA role and paid internships, Sood’s education cost less than his siblings'. He recognizes the College of Business and the Department of Accountancy for expanding access through a strong internship pipeline and employer recruiting network.
In 2009, Sood earned his M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago, where he strengthened his pledge to ethical leadership.
“It is important how you carry yourself,” he said. “Your reputation and integrity matter, and are both a focal point of my career.”
Professional and Philanthropic Passions
Sood has spent more than four years at Newcastle Investors and has overseen enhancements to the firm's treasury function, institutional compliance program, internal and external reporting function, and revamped workflows to improve loss prevention and streamline operational efficiency. He remains steadfast in his commitment to prioritizing staff development, viewing it not as a task, but as a critical investment in the team's collective potential.
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Sood holds a personal interest in hospitality real estate. He is an active investor in limited liability companies that own and operate hotels throughout the Midwest, bringing an accounting and auditor’s perspective to those ventures.
Sood believes young people benefit from perspective early on, so he looked for ways to help others and share his experiences early in his career. While earning his M.B.A., he got involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Although his 'little brother' no longer needs formal mentorship, they remain close friends.
“I remember being that nervous kid,” he said. “I want to help youth feel comfortable having conversations with adults and professionals they might otherwise find intimidating.”
It’s that focus on readiness — on helping students recognize their own abilities — that continues to draw Sood back to NIU and guides how he hopes to create opportunity wherever he can.
Learn how you can help extend opportunities like those that shaped Sood's journey at niuforward.com.