Alumni Spotlight, Tracy Judge (‘15)
Meet San Diego State University alumna Tracy Judge (‘15), Founder & CEO of Soundings, a talent platform connecting organizations with full-time and freelance professionals in the business events industry. She earned her master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management at SDSU after seven years in the field, drawn to the program’s hands-on learning, industry connections, and focus on personal growth.
Since graduating, Tracy has grown Soundings into a global community of over 3,500 professionals! Currently serving on the CSU AI Workforce Acceleration Board, she continues to stay connected and give back to the SDSU community through teaching, mentoring, and hiring students.
Alumni Spotlight, Tracy Judge (‘15)Learn more about Tracy below!
Q: What is your current title and company name?
Founder & CEO, Soundings
Q: Describe your journey to SDSU.
I earned my undergraduate degree in Hospitality and Tourism from Drexel University in Philadelphia and spent about seven years working in the industry before deciding to continue my education. After several years in the field, I started to feel stuck in my career and realized that if I wanted to grow, I needed to invest in myself and my education. As I explored various master’s programs and MBAs, the Payne School at SDSU really stood out. I was drawn to its focus on tourism and hospitality, its strong industry connections, and its hands-on approach to learning. The program emphasized both academic and personal development, and many of our projects were tied directly to real companies and industry challenges. That blend of classroom learning and practical experience made the program incredibly valuable and gave me the confidence and business acumen to start my own business.
Q: How have you used your SDSU education to achieve success in your career?
The HTM Masters program at the Payne School gave me a well-rounded foundation that helped me grow in the three areas essential to building a successful career: business acumen, community, and self-growth. The program strengthened my understanding of what it takes to start and grow a business, from developing a strategic plan to leading through change. That knowledge gave me the confidence to launch Soundings, a talent platform focused on the business events industry. We connect organizations with full-time and freelance talent, provide a community for independent professionals, and offer coaching and professional development for the industry. The connections I made through The Payne School with classmates, industry professionals, and executives within my own company were equally impactful. Those relationships opened doors, provided mentorship, and inspired how I’ve built Soundings around collaboration and shared growth. Most importantly, my time at SDSU encouraged me to look inward and identify what was holding me back. The program pushed me to develop self-awareness, confidence, and resilience, which truly changed me as a person. Overcoming those barriers has been just as important to my success as any business skill and continues to guide how I lead and grow today.
Q: How do you stay connected to SDSU? (ex. sports events, mentorship, volunteering, etc.)
I’ve stayed closely connected to SDSU and The Payne School by giving back to students through teaching, mentoring, and speaking engagements. I’ve served as a lecturer in the undergraduate program and a mentor in the graduate program, and I frequently speak on behalf of the university at industry events. I really enjoy sharing my experiences and insights with students who are preparing to enter the hospitality and events industry. Another way I stay connected is through hiring and career development. Over the years, I’ve recruited several interns and employees from SDSU’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program. My Chief of Staff, Nikki Gonzalez, actually started as my intern when I launched Soundings. We first met at a Starbucks on campus, and after that meeting, I offered her the internship. Nearly seven years later, she’s still with me, now serving as my chief of staff. We’ve had many other interns from SDSU since then, including one currently working with us today. I’ve also partnered with the university in a consulting capacity. When The Payne School launched the master’s program in Meetings and Events Management, I served as the relationship manager between MPI and SDSU. The program is the nation’s only MPI-endorsed master’s program, which makes it especially meaningful to be part of its development. I helped with pre-launch marketing, spoke at industry events, and participated in road shows to encourage enrollment and raise awareness of the program. It’s been incredibly rewarding to contribute to something so innovative and to stay connected to a university that has had such a lasting impact on my career.
Q: What is your favorite memory from SDSU?
My favorite memory at SDSU was when our team did a sailing competition. I’d been on boats before, but I had never actually sailed one. I volunteered to be at the helm, mostly because I was terrified of getting hit in the head by the boom. It turns out sailing is way harder than it looks! After fighting the wind (and my teammates) for what felt like forever, I finally gave up trying to steer and handed the helm to someone who actually knew what they were doing. At the time, I was so frustrated. The whole activity was supposed to be a metaphor for business and leadership, which I didn’t really get back then. Now, as a business owner, I often think back on that day and laugh. Leading a company feels a lot like that day on the boat: unpredictable winds, sudden shifts in direction, and the constant reminder that you can’t do it alone. Sometimes your job is to adjust the sails, read the wind, and trust your crew. I’m still ducking from that boom now and then, but these days I trust myself a lot more at the helm, and I’m grateful for the lessons learned from every tack and turn along the way.
Q: What advice do you have for current SDSU students or recent alumni?
Get involved. Some of the best opportunities in my career came from being active at SDSU and getting involved in industry associations early in my career. Connecting with classmates, professors, and industry professionals helped me build a strong foundation for growth. I always tell the people I mentor, “People invest in people who invest in themselves.” Volunteering, joining clubs, and participating in associations show your commitment to your industry and to yourself.
Q: Do you have any special projects, awards, or recent accomplishments you'd like to share?
My biggest accomplishment is being a founder and growing Soundings into a global community of more than 3,500 professionals. It’s been incredibly challenging but also incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud that we’ve made it seven years, even through a global pandemic that deeply impacted the business events industry. Most recently, I was invited to join the CSU AI Workforce Acceleration Board based on my work with the CSU Hospitality Alliance and the research we’re leading at Soundings on how AI is impacting the workforce in the business events industry. The board brings together leaders from the Governor’s Office, the CSU system, and major technology companies to shape how AI will influence workforce development across California. It’s an exciting opportunity to represent both alumni and industry, to participate in these discussions, and to help guide how education and innovation can work together to prepare for the future of work.
Q: Any other additional information we should include in your spotlight?
I want to give a special shout-out to Carl Winston, Candy Flynn, and the entire team at The Payne School. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support, mentorship, and belief in their students. They’re truly doing something special, and the impact of their work can be seen throughout the hospitality, tourism, and events industries. The Payne School stands out within the CSU system for its innovative approach to education and its deep connection to industry. It’s a model of what can happen when academia and business work together to create meaningful opportunities for students and professionals alike. Highlights of The Payne School include: - Serving more than 20% of all hospitality and tourism undergraduates across 15 CSU campuses - Combined with Cal Poly Pomona, serving over 50% of graduate students in hospitality and tourism management across the CSU system - Managing $20 million in endowments from donors invested in their mission, reflecting the success of their innovative public-private partnership model - Operating the only fully privately funded career center in the CSU system, with a 99% student placement rate since inception - Hosting the nation’s only master’s program in Meetings and Events Management endorsed by MPI (Meeting Professionals International)