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For many, the Microsoft program Excel is just a way to simplify their workday. It’s the most popular spreadsheet in the world, with more than 750 million users. A significantly smaller number, however, use Excel quite differently: as a global esports platform.

And this year, a �������� graduate has qualified for this global competition’s in-person finals.

“My colleagues kept telling me I’d be perfect for this competition, so I decided to give it a shot. It was a chance to put my analytical and problem-solving skills that I learned both from my career and �������� to the test,” said Alexander Freedman ’15. “This was my first year competing, and I’m thrilled to have finished 29th worldwide and seventh in the U.S. Now I’m heading to Las Vegas to compete in the World Championship!”

The , held from Dec. 1–3, turns spreadsheets into high-stakes arenas, where the world’s top modelers and problem-solvers compete in 30-minute, head-to-head cases that test speed, logic and accuracy. Freedman is one of 12 athletes representing the U.S. among the finalists.

Born on Long Island and now living in New York City, Freedman is a dual-major alumni with degrees in actuarial science and economics. He began his career in management consulting at McKinsey & Company, but today he serves as an associate partner with Ridgeline Health Group, applying the same discipline he brings to Excel esports to helping health systems navigate some of the most complex challenges in healthcare.

Surprisingly, he said, he began his career with little Excel experience. Freedman recalled his first manager, who, after seeing his new mouse on the table, promptly declared he wouldn’t need it.

“He went on to mentor me on how to really use Excel and how to think critically. Soon enough, I become known for my analytical skills, and I became the one doing the teaching,” he added. “Fast-forward 10 years in management consulting, and I built up a lot of experience.”

As the World Championship draws near, Freedman is training about 40 hours per week on top of his full-time role. He says the practice is essential, especially as he uses Excel less often day to day as he’s moved up in his company and many competitors have been competing for a decade or more. The format mirrors the work he does in real life.

“The data is messy. You’re being asked to solve different problems from real-world analytics to playful puzzles under immense time pressure. For me, it was a natural fit,” he said. “There are a million ways to approach a problem, and this competition forces you to get creative and find the most efficient path.”

At the start of each 30-minute match, a video introduces the “case.” Scenarios range from coordinating travel to mapping lava flow. Sometimes, he says, the cases that sound the simplest end up the most complex, a challenge he enjoys.

As for the case that qualified him for Vegas, Freedman played an analyst to the team of a top musical artist, “Seamstress Fast,” reviewing data from her “Eons Tour” (a playful nod to a certain pop superstar). Using a colored stadium grid and ticket sales data, he solved seven levels covering different aspects of this information. It was a top-five performance, cementing his spot in the finals.

“If you want to develop Excel skills, these tournaments are a surefire way to learn in a fun and engaging way. And being able to say you compete in Microsoft Excel on this scale lands much better on a resume than just saying ‘proficient in Excel,’” Freedman said, who encourages others to get involved — including students, who can compete in the .

Today, he stays connected to the �������� campus by recruiting for his company and as an alumni advisor to Pi Kappa Alpha — a social fraternity he helped found and led as president, growing it into the largest on campus while raising over $80,000 for philanthropy by his graduation. He calls his time at �������� transformative.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without ��������. The community gave me room and support to explore my interests, learn to lead and solve problems creatively alongside inspiring students and faculty,” he said. “The skills I built translated directly to business — and still shape how I work today.”

While Freedman is optimistic about his chances in the finals, he notes that whatever the result, the journey has already been worthwhile and has reminded him just how important his education and career have been in his life. He plans to keep pursuing his passions — including competing, building his company to transform healthcare and spending time with his family and friends.

“I believe that with the right mindset and discipline, anything is possible — and I hope to inspire others to feel the same,” he said. “I’m grateful to everyone who has taught me along the way, and I try to pay that forward. I love being able to represent �������� on the global stage.”

To watch

The finals will be carried by ESPN/YouTube; a documentary is also in production. The YouTube livestream for the 2025 Microsoft Excel World Championship can be found at:

• — Dec. 2
  
• — Dec. 3