Current Involvement: FSH Society. I’m also an Advisor to the Board of Trustees at Siena. I also am on the Investment Committee for the College’s endowment and operating budget.
Involvement while at Siena: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Student Senate, Student Events Board, Human Rights Committee, Student Conduct Review Board, Officer of Bjorklund Student Managed Fund
Describe a typical day in your life.
I wake up every morning (usually in a different city or state given my 600 hotel nights in the past 4 years) and I am one of the lucky ones who can truly say that I live my passion. I work for the largest asset management company on the planet, a firm who prides itself on disruption and innovation. As a representative of BlackRock, I meet with large and mega U.S. insurance companies and propose our customized investment solutions to help make sure that we keep our promises to our pensioners and policyholders. The promise is retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work, promote investing in the markets, promote investor choice and confidence (without attitude).
How did your Siena education prepare you for the work you’re doing today?
My parents gave me the greatest gift I’ve ever received: the gift of a Siena education. Prior to working at BlackRock, I worked at The Ayco Company, L.P. I acquired an internship during college and later a full time position upon graduation. My career success wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t Siena.
Describe your professional progression since leaving Siena.
You have to be willing to push yourself and work hard. In my 7+ years since graduating Siena, I have been promoted many times. Each promotion came with a relocation - I’ve lived in Albany, NY to Princeton, NJ to San Francisco, CA to New York City and now to Miami, FL. The harder you work, the luckier you become.
Siena Favorites
Professor: Peter Ellard, Eric Girard and Douglas Lonnstrom
Class Year: I have fond memories of each one of my Siena class years. I remember each very distinctly. My favorite, though, was my junior year. I had the chance to study abroad in Siena, Italy!
Memory: I remember orientation for first year students and the presentation given by Peter Ellard, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at the time. He said to the entire class of 2011, “you’re not in Kansas anymore!” I decided to enroll in Dr. Ellard’s Foundations class because of his presentation. In total, I took 4 of his classes at Siena. Dr. Ellard and I also sat next to each other at graduation in the first row at The Times Union Center. That’s just one example of how my Siena experience came together full circle from orientation to graduation.
Advice for current students:
Embrace your liberal arts education. Long gone are the days where Corporate America hires young people because you simply majored in a particular field. Prove you can make an impact because your education is as diverse as your background. Challenge yourself to learn and grow in areas outside of your primary field of study. Take the German Cinema class, learn Italian, study abroad; your future self thanks you.
Career advice for Saints:
Challenge the status quo. Go beyond yourself. Be a student, always. Lastly, make sure you follow-up. Follow-up and keep following-up. It shows your commitment to whatever your chasing.
