On December 6, the Alumni in Finance Network gathered at Battello on the Jersey City waterfront to mingle with former classmates and future business partners. Alumni in Finance networking events usually serve to unite Saint Peter’s University graduates and M.B.A. students to expand professional relationships and reconnect with the University, but this time special guests were invited to the reception.
Ten undergraduate students from Saint Peter’s University who were selected to participate in the Goldman Sachs Local College Collaborative (GSLCC) program, a semester-long experiential learning opportunity attended the event as well. The students were selected by the Center for Career Engagement and Experiential Learning (CEEL) and the business administration department. The GSLCC is a partnership between the corporate services and real estate division of Goldman Sachs and four local schools. During the spring semester, teams from each school will work closely with Goldman Sachs employees on real-world business scenarios and present their solutions to a mock board of directors at the firm. The event provided an opportunity for these students to learn from mentors in the industry and network with potential future employers.
When Eugene J. Cornacchia, president of Saint Peter’s University, addressed the crowd of professionals, he let them know that, “Saint Peter’s is the place to be for students. We have highly employable students.”
Dominic Diaz ’17, a Goldman Sachs collaborative student, commented that the event had a great atmosphere. “It was formal, but laid back,” he said further describing that it was beneficial to network with financial professionals and the crowd was friendly and eager to socialize.
Accounting major, Ronney Daniel ’17, concurred with Diaz, “I am here to mingle and meet different people and hear their stories,” he said.
The Alumni in Finance Network aims to unite Saint Peter’s University graduates and friends from all fields of finance and to provide an opportunity for individuals to participate, learn, exchange ideas and explore new professional relationships while connecting and engaging with the University.
At the event, Peter C. Kenny, senior market strategist for the Global Markets Advisory Group, discussed
“Authenticity in an Age of Algorithms: Why Human Interaction is Irreplaceable.”
Kenny’s speech focused on trust. He stressed the importance of doing for others without expectation that they will do anything in return.
“If you are in service and you are looking to be part of a solution, people will never forget that,” Kenny said. “If you are available to people and you are doing the right thing then you will start to build human capital.”
Kenny explained that he has always focused on doing the right thing. “Trust in others and the money will come,” he said.
He ended his speech with his thoughts on success, “It’s about being humble, it’s about being small, it’s about giving it all you’ve got.”
Madel Liquido ’19, a student in the collaborative program commented, “The speech was motivational. It is comforting to know that you do not have to start at the top.”
The Saint Peter’s University Alumni in Finance Network was established in 2010 and the committee includes Andres Cifuentes ’04, director, fx sales, Bats Global Markets, Inc.; Annette Corbin ’84, partner, Madison Consulting Group; Robert A. Cutro ’75, managing director (retired), Barclays Capital; Thomas J. Jordan ’63, president and CEO, Jordan & Jordan; Justin McKeon CPA ’97, regional finance director, Asia-Pacific, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare; Rojendra Pradhan ’11, financial associate, KCG Holdings; and James G. Rizzo ’81, director, BCB Bancorp Inc.
To learn more about future Alumni in Finance events, join the Alumni in Finance group on LinkedIn or contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@saintpeters.edu or (201) 761-6122. View photos from the event.