Excellence, Leadership and Service

For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.

“Christopher Bailey embodies the core values of NC State University, including excellence, leadership and service,” said Molly Andrews, Assistant Director of Philanthropy with the NC State College of Engineering. 

Bailey leaves a positive impression of what it means to be a member of the Wolfpack in all he does. “His actions and achievements reflect a deep understanding of and dedication to these values, making him a true ambassador for the university. He represents excellence, which is evident from his academic and professional achievements,” Andrews added.

Bailey is being presented with the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni award for his visionary leadership and enthusiastic commitment to service. 

Giving Back

Bailey sits on the NC State College of Engineering’s Young Alumni Advisory Board and most recently served as its Communications Chair.

“During his leadership of the Communications Committee, the committee has produced projects that have been invaluable to other young alumni and the college as a whole, including information about life post-graduation from NC State and ways young alumni prefer to be engaged with the college,” said Andrews. 

The NC State College of Engineering recently shared the results based on these efforts, revealing significant insights into young alumni job satisfaction and work-life balance, salaries, how internships may have played a role in future job offers, giving habits and more. 

He has given back to his alma mater in myriad ways. Beyond his work with the Young Alumni Advisory Board, he has participated in College of Engineering professional development webinars, sharing advice about making career pivots and bridging the gap from academia to industry. 

Bailey has also engaged in mock interviews with current students and helped create a career advice video series for graduating seniors. He served as a mentor in the inaugural Engineering Mentorship Circles program. 

“My journey is a testament to the fact that mentorship doesn’t end at graduation; it’s a continuous process of learning and growth,” Bailey wrote in a recent LinkedIn post. 

My journey is a testament to the fact that mentorship doesn’t end at graduation; it’s a continuous process of learning and growth.

Molly Andrews

Assistant Director of Philanthropy with the NC State College of Engineering

“Mentorship is not just about giving advice; it’s about sharing experiences, providing support and helping others navigate their career paths. It’s a two-way street where both mentors and mentees benefit immensely. I encourage all fellow alumni to take the time to mentor current students and recent graduates. Your insights and experiences can make a significant difference in their lives, just as our mentors did for us. Let’s continue to build a strong, supportive community that fosters growth and success for all.” 

Since his NC State graduation, Bailey has spent almost 4,000 hours volunteering his time and expertise with organizations including FIRST Robotics, earthday365, Mission Continues, H.E.R.O.E.S. Care, Lift for Life Gym, Water Mission and Boeing Veterans Task Force. 

At home in Missouri, he mentors freshman and sophomore engineering students through The Engineering Center of St. Louis and volunteers his time with the EXPLORE Bioscience Program, which endeavors to make the local bioscience industry more inclusive and to connect minority high school students with professional mentors in the life science industry. 

A Career of Contributions

Bailey earned his bachelor’s from UNC Charlotte. He then graduated from NC State in 2016 with a master’s in mechanical engineering and went on to earn an MBA in strategy and consulting from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Additionally he earned graduate certificates in systems engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, pharmacology from Harvard Medical School, and managing business, public affairs and public policy from The Washington Campus. He currently serves as senior proposal manager at life science research and manufacturing company MilliporeSigma. 

Bailey has excelled in his career. A notable highlight includes leading the development of a Counter-UAS system to defend against unmanned aerial attacks, which is now a Program of Record. This significant step means the program has been successfully approved and authorized across nine divisions of the U.S. Army. 

“He has led teams charged with providing critical capabilities in war. He is passionate about helping provide technology for the brave people who defend our freedoms so that they may also return to enjoy them,” said Andrews. 

“In his first year in the biotech industry, Bailey has promoted the growth of new business valuing over $73 million for the oncology pipeline to save patients’ lives. Additionally, he has developed a comprehensive care strategy for a health insurance company to optimize the member experience and improve the overall quality of life by 60 percent for members with complex needs.”

[Bailey] promotes a bond between the places he’s employed and the communities around them, which carries forward the heart of the Pack.

Molly Andrews

Assistant Director of Philanthropy with the NC State College of Engineering

Throughout his career Bailey has been recognized for his many contributions, including the Boeing Airplane Development Excellence Award and the Leonardo DRS Wellness Champions Gold Award. He has been honored by his community, including being named to the 2024 St. Louis Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. 

“[Bailey] promotes a bond between the places he’s employed and the communities around them, which carries forward the heart of the Pack,” said Andrews.