Tim Boroughs has no shortage of stories to tell. From modest beginnings in Northwest Indiana, Boroughs has gone on to be a senior executive at Chubb, one of the largest publicly-traded companies in the world.

But how did Boroughs go from a 1,500-square foot home he shared with his parents and five siblings, to being an icon in the finance industry?

It’s a rather long story, but it’s rooted in an Indiana University Northwest education. Boroughs, admittedly, wasn’t the world’s greatest high school student. In fact, his guidance counselor once insisted he wasn’t “college material.”

Undeterred, Boroughs enrolled at IU Northwest on academic probation. He soon changed his major from sociology to finance and ended up graduating first in his class. “I took every economics and every finance course that IU offered,” he said. “I graduated with more hours than I needed.”

Boroughs never received a grade below an A. “To me, it was all about survival in what I was going to do to go forward,” he said.

And go forward he did. After some time in the United States Army, Boroughs returned to the Chicago-area and got his first finance-related job at Continental Bank. He steadily climbed up the ranks, and soon enough, he and some partners were running their own investment management company. Boroughs said although there was lots of risk involved, the change was worth it.

During his time in the partnership, Boroughs lived in London and managed $50 billion worth of assets. But this phase in his life was not to last. Due to ethical concerns, Boroughs parted ways with the company. “You have to maintain a high degree of ethics and honesty,” he said. “You may go slower, but in the end, you will still be standing and moving forward.”  

With high standards for integrity and hard work, Boroughs settled in Connecticut working for an investment hedge fund. He said it was a big risk, leaving a successful company to stay in line with his ethics and integrity. But looking back, the decision was well worth it.

Today, Boroughs continues to enjoy lots of success in the investment industry, but he also finds plenty of time to give back to the things he loves, including the IU Northwest campus. He’s also on the board for Squash and Education Alliance, a nonprofit that coaches, mentors and guides children from urban backgrounds in the sport, academics, and college preparation.

He also finds plenty of time to cultivate his love of music. Music was crucial to his family growing up, and Boroughs continues to study classical piano. Over the years, he’s had the opportunity to record some of his music and perform with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. “I’m working 10 to 12-hour days, but I still find time to sit down and escape into music,” he said.

Boroughs said this work-life balance has been vital to his success throughout all stages of his life.

With such an incredible life full of business success, family, and philanthropy, it would be easy to overlook his roots in Northwest Indiana. But Boroughs hasn’t forgotten all the wonderful opportunities and foundational experience he received while a student at IU Northwest.

Many of Boroughs’ philanthropic ventures are inspired by a desire to help people who may not have a lot of educational opportunities. “Providing support for IU Northwest students who are underserved and having a rough time is at the heart of what my wife and I are passionate about,” Boroughs said.

“What I learned there provided opportunities for me and opened doors,” he said. “The things I learned at IU Northwest were key in the early stages of my career.”

Boroughs can be held up as a shining example of what it means to be financially successful, but his story is also inspiring to anyone apprehensive about attending college. He’s proof that a high school transcript doesn’t have to be an indication of success, as long as you’re willing to push through obstacles and hold yourself to high standards.

“I remain grounded and humbled by my success,” Boroughs said. “I take none of this journey for granted. These thoughts and appreciation are rooted permanently as part of my collective consciousness.”