Each year, top undergraduate and graduate finance students from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management are selected to spend three days in New York City as part of the Stuart Frankel & Company New York Stock Exchange Program.
The Frankel Program, named for Whitman alumnus Stuart Frankel ’61, founder and CEO of Stuart Frankel & Company, offers students opportunities to visit finance and investment firms and meet successful Whitman alumni working in the finance field. This year, six students were selected, based on merit and accomplishments, to attend the trip.
“We are all deeply grateful to Sharyn and Stuart for their ongoing and generous support of this impactful program,” said Dean Gene Anderson. “Every year for 15 years, the Frankels have provided a select group of students with a wonderful opportunity to connect with NYC alumni and taken a great personal interest in helping each of them to develop as individuals and professionals.”
This year’s students included: Sarah Boulos ’21, Ian Gordon ’20, Hamza Hamid ’21, Michael Kosuth ’20, Nicole Rizzuti’20 and Ashely Irabor ’21, a master of finance student. Students were also accompanied by Whitman School staff members Dean Anderson; Tyler Harding, director of development; Alison Kessler, director of alumni engagement; and Kyle Danzey, assistant director of career services.
This year’s trip was exciting for students as they were able to meet many Whitman alumni during site visits. Participants started the trip with the Annual Frankel Scholar Alumni Dinner held at the Syracuse University Joseph I. Lubin House. Students were also invited to a private dinner with the Stuart and Sharyn Frankel on the second night.
Students spoke with Lisa Fontenelli ’86, Whitman advisory council chair and former university trustee & COO Goldman Sachs Group Inc., about the importance of asking ”Why?” Fontinelli shared that this question will help students understand themselves, as well as the needs of others and organizations.
Students also visited:
- William Cass ’08, vice president at Needham & Company, LLC
- Jason Berger ’14, associate banker and Thomas Hall ’11, vice president banker at JP Morgan Private Bank
- Robert Laughlin ’87, regional market manager at Citigroup Inc.
- Adam Friedman ’05 CAIA, CIMA vice president at PIMCO
- Christopher LaBianca ’92 MBA, managing director real estate and Neal Casey ’12, director STS structured products at UBS Securities, LLC
- Robert Fagenson ’70, chairman of the board of Whitman advisory council member at National Holding Corp.
- Jeffrey Grasso ’09, senior vice president of development & head of acquisitions at Silverstein Properties, Inc.
- Adam J. Bobker ’93, managing director head of private wealth advisory group & alternative investment field sales, Jackie Teller ’11, new lead social media team and Jessica Palacios, recruiter at BlackRock
- Hillary Tucker ’14, new analyst Investment management division at Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Gordon ‘20, finance and real estate double major, found the experience particularly valuable as he was able to learn about different careers available in finance.
“This trip allowed me to better understand the day-to-day work involved with careers such as investment banking and asset management, as well as lesser-known parts of finance such as private banking, real estate finance and development,” said Gordon. “I was particularly surprised by how different each subset of finance can be, and as I prepare to enter the workforce I now have a much better understanding of what each career path entails.”
To Orange Value Fund student Kosuth, an accounting and finance double major, the Frankel program has allowed him to explore careers outside of banking. Kosuth commented, “I came to college thinking there were very few paths in the finance industry. Most students are only exposed to trading or investment, but this trip opened my eyes to different opportunities.”
Boulos, a member of the Orange Value Fund and a finance major, shares how the Frankel program has allowed her to make invaluable connections with a number of Whitman alumni from our Orange Network. She added, “One aspect that stood out was that every alum truly wanted to help and see me succeed. The Syracuse University pride extends well past graduation and these alumni showed that Whitman doesn’t just give you an education, but sets you up for a successful career.”
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