East Ventura News

Allison Payne, an alumna of California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran), class of 2021, has made significant strides in her career just four years after graduation, reflecting on her journey through the accounting sector. Payne recently advanced to the position of senior financial analyst at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, a global biotechnology company located in Thousand Oaks. Prior to this role, she spent four years at a local biotech startup, Capsida Biotherapeutics, where her efforts were rewarded with two promotions.

Acknowledging her rapid career progression, Payne attributes part of her success to the supportive environment provided by her alma mater. "At Cal Lu, students get so much more of a hands-on experience than at larger universities," Payne stated. She encourages students to leverage university resources, noting, “It’s built into the system, they have the connections, especially locally, and they’re very willing to use them to get the students connected.”

Kyle McIntosh, a lecturer in Cal Lutheran’s School of Management, played a crucial role in Payne's early career by connecting her to her first job at the startup company. McIntosh, with 23 years of experience in corporate finance and accounting, utilized his industry connections, saying, “She reached out to me seeking new talent for her company,” referring to his connection at Capsida. He was confident in Payne’s potential, noting she was an ideal fit for the opportunity.

McIntosh expressed pride in Payne’s accomplishments, remarking, “Allison’s got the whole package,” highlighting her technical skills, communication abilities, and work ethic developed during her time at Cal Lutheran. He also shared that Payne's success at Capsida led the hiring CFO to seek similar talents, indicating her significant impact on the company.

Reflecting on her educational journey, Payne chose Cal Lutheran partly for its proximity to home and its esteemed reputation. Inspired by her mother's career in accounting, Payne decided to pursue a business degree with a focus on accounting. “I went in as an accounting major … and I stuck with accounting, because of job security, for one. And two, I’ve just always liked numbers,” she said.

Grateful for the opportunities presented to her through Cal Lutheran, Payne remains engaged with the university, contributing back through various avenues such as serving on the Accounting Advisory Council and assisting current students. “I owe a lot to Kyle,” she commented, appreciating his support in her career development.

McIntosh praises Payne as an exemplary ambassador for Cal Lutheran, expressing his desire to share her story with aspiring students. “I’d like to tell every high school senior about Allison,” McIntosh said, illustrating her as a testament to the potential outcomes achievable by graduates.

To learn more about accounting programs at Cal Lutheran, visit their official website.