As seen in the Fall 2025 DU Review magazine

When Dylan M. Silva, MBA ’21, reflects on his journey, it’s one shaped by resilience, relentless curiosity and a deep commitment to helping others. A 2021 graduate of Davenport University’s Donald W. Maine College of Business, Silva has transformed personal adversity into professional excellence, and he credits much of his success to the foundation he built at Davenport.

Davenport alumni Dylan Silva, ’21; his mom Pamela, ’06 and his brother Mason, ’23

Originally from Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grandville High School, Silva is part of a Davenport legacy family. His mother, Pamela, earned both her associate and bachelor’s degrees from DU, and his younger brother, Mason, completed his MBA at the university. But Silva’s path to success wasn’t straightforward. At just 11 years old, he survived a near-drowning accident at Ludington State Park that left him with a traumatic brain injury. He spent the next seven years relearning how to walk, talk and navigate life.

That resilience propelled Silva forward. After high school, he attended Long Island University and began building a high-level career in business operations, working in Times Square as an operations manager before entering the world of banking and consulting. He later moved into risk and compliance roles at Wells Fargo and Bank of America during some of the most turbulent times in the industry, helping institutions navigate regulatory crises and complex matters requiring attention.

His professional journey spans continents—living in China, consulting for major U.S. banks and tech companies, and helping launch a new investment product that achieved five million funded accounts in just 30 days. Silva is known in his field for taking on high-profile, high-risk projects and bringing them back on track. “I fix business problems. Whether it’s a strategy that’s not working or a regulatory issue that needs immediate action—I get brought in to make it right,” Silva explained. His straightforward approach and ability to deliver under pressure have made him a trusted partner to executives and even federal regulators. While building a remarkable career, Silva returned to his Michigan roots through Davenport University’s MBA program. The experience allowed him to immediately apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and form lasting connections through a small, close-knit cohort. Despite being spread across the country, the group remains connected and even flew to Michigan to celebrate graduation together during the pandemic.

“I really enjoyed my time at Davenport,” Silva said. “The smaller class sizes, the practical application of coursework and the strong network have all played a big role in my career. I’ve since referred multiple friends and family members to the program.”

Now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Silva serves in a senior leadership role for a consulting company. He also co-founded the Charlotte Clubhouse, a non-profit that supports adults with serious mental illness, and recently partnered with Michigan-based be nice. to bring mental health advocacy to North Carolina.

“Surround yourself with the kind of people you want to grow with,” Silva advised. “Your network is only as strong as the people you keep around you—and that’s true both personally and professionally.”

Silva’s next goals? Finish his doctorate in Strategy and Innovation, publish a book about his brain injury and one day launch his own consulting firm. Through it all, he remains passionate about mentorship, leadership and helping others see their potential.

His advice to current students? “Be curious, ask questions and believe in yourself—because confidence is the best rank you can have.”