Michael Zuccaro ‘03 credits his Siena Experience as some of the fondest memories of his life. “Most of my time in high school I was shy and timid and started to come out of my shell towards the end. Making fast friends at Siena helped me to continue to grow my confidence and it shaped how I approached other facets of my life, including school and work. My experience shaped who I am and I am all the better for it,” he says.

Michael currently works for Mastercard and says Siena’s education and Franciscan values helped prepare him for this career. “Mastercard has a culture built on relationships and in order to be successful, you need to be affable and approachable. I remember at my Siena orientation the summer before freshman year, we had a leader who told us if we wanted to make friends, we should be kind and always hold the door open for others. I've used that approach to help me grow my network and make lasting relationships over the years.” He adds, “I've made a ton of friends in the workplace these last 20+ years and that has been the biggest key to unlocking new opportunities. It's not just about producing good work, but it's also about being a good person.”

The most rewarding part of Michael’s career was a full circle moment that happened a short time ago. Despite having a finance background, Michael made it his goal to join the Mastercard marketing team and with each new position and promotion, he got one step closer. Now, more than 15 years after setting that goal, he now has a role on the team and credits Siena’s Education of a Lifetime for getting him there.

We commend Michael for being a Saint who doesn’t sit on the sidelines!