An Unexpected Path to Purpose
by Rachel Carlson
Haleigh Brown
BBA ’24
Investment Analyst; Hobby Lobby Investments
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Haleigh Brown grew up in Plano, Texas, with an upbringing filled with love and support from her family. Her childhood was shaped by her involvement in gymnastics, cheerleading and leadership roles at her school, Trinity Christian Academy. She also dedicated time serving at Watermark Community Church in Dallas, where she participated in mission trips and served as a student ministry intern.
Although Baylor University wasn’t initially part of Brown’s plan after high school, it ultimately became the journey that shaped her life and career. She grew up in a family that bled green and gold – her parents attended Baylor for both undergrad and law school and Brown loved Waco, Baylor traditions, and attending games and Homecoming. Yet, she was determined to create her own path and do something different from what was expected. Despite her initial reluctance, everything in her life continuously guided her back to Baylor.
“It was an emotional decision to attend Baylor, but I knew it was where I needed to be,” Brown said. “I knew it was where the Lord was calling me. I’m so glad He knew what He was doing and clearly had a plan. I truly wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today if it weren’t for my time at Baylor.”
Once at Baylor, Brown embraced every opportunity. She majored in Finance, Accounting and Mathematics through the Baylor Business Fellows Program, which allowed her to explore different academic interests.
“I’m still so grateful for that program,” she said. “It was amazing to mix and match and try different disciplines. Entering college, I knew I valued the analytical side of business, but I was also eager to experience the relationships business can create. Studying math allowed me to develop my analytical skills while connecting to the community in the Business School provided the relational aspect I was looking for.”
Beyond her studies, Brown was actively involved in several campus organizations. She served as director of member finance for Pi Beta Phi sorority, an analyst for the Large Cap Portfolio Management Practicum, a teaching assistant in the Department of Finance, and co-CEO of the Business, Excellence, Scholarship and Team (BEST) Program. Outside of Baylor, she led a life group at Harris Creek Baptist Church and founded You Knit Me Together Inc., a nonprofit supporting pregnancy centers protecting the sanctity of life.
“I feel very blessed,” Brown said. “I had so many amazing opportunities, and they weren’t necessarily things I sought out. It was just the Lord putting me in the right place at the right time with the right people.”
One of the most impactful experiences of Brown’s college career was serving as a senior analyst and chief of staff for the Baylor Angel Network (BAN), allowing her to work with real businesses, people and capital, while providing her with a deep understanding of startup funding and private company investing.
“I loved it. Being a BAN analyst meant spending long hours on difficult tasks, but it was the single most academically and educationally impactful experience of my time at Baylor,” she said. “Getting to work with entrepreneurs seeking funding was such a unique opportunity. As a college student, I was working with real companies, real dollars and the real dreams of founders, and I felt that what I was doing really mattered. Gaining both technical knowledge and real-world experience prepared me for the role I am in today.”
After graduating, Brown moved to Oklahoma City to begin her career at Hobby Lobby Investments (HLI), an investment firm started by David and Barbara Green, the founders of Hobby Lobby. HLI manages and expands investments beyond the core Hobby Lobby business on a global scale, focusing on private equity, real estate and venture capital.
In her role, Brown balances the relational and analytical sides of investing. She meets with potential investment opportunities and managers of existing investments to understand their strategies and areas of focus. The other half of her time is dedicated to financial analysis, due diligence, and evaluating whether investments are viable and align with HLI’s mission. Additionally, she assesses the firm’s existing portfolio to ensure long-term success.
“Getting to do what I do in a place where the entire mission is to give more money away is such a wonderful experience,” Brown said. “I’ve worked for other family offices where the culture was amazing, but when your company’s goal is to invest wisely so you can give more, it completely changes the atmosphere. There is a deep sense of stewardship in our office.”
Brown has been especially inspired by the authenticity and leadership of the Green family.
“The Green family is so authentic,” Brown said. “It’s rare to hear incredible things about a family and then see firsthand that they truly live by the values they espouse. I interact with them daily, and they are so humble and genuine. David Green always says there are two things that are eternal: God’s Word and man’s soul. That is what we are working for, it’s not about how much money we make or Hobby Lobby’s success.”
Another influential figure in Brown’s career has been Scott McLain, BBA ’84, the chief investment officer of HLI and former president and chief financial officer of Sonic. As a leader in the firm, McLain exemplifies stewardship and strategic decision-making, setting a standard that has helped shape Brown’s professional growth. His mentorship has provided her with valuable insights and opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions.
“He helps set the example in our office of what stewardship looks like, and that impacts how we approach our work,” Brown said.
Looking back, Brown is grateful for the support and guidance she received at Baylor, which has had a lasting influence on both her professional and personal life.
“The professors and everyone I interacted with were incredibly impactful academically, professionally and spiritually,” she said. “The Lord intentionally used Baylor to mold me into who I am today.”
From her early years in Plano to her time at Baylor and now at HLI, Brown’s journey shows how our paths are often directed by the people, experiences and values that shape us. What started as reluctance turned into a transformative experience, driving her toward a future filled with purpose and fulfillment.