Salute to the Full-Time MBA Class of 2020

After earning his M.B.A. in Finance, Andrew Clark secured a position at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a financial advisor with the 712 Investment Group. He has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry as a member with Axiom Markets and as a trader with Pioneer Futures. Clark’s clients include families, foundations, executives, and business owners. By advising on portfolio construction, trust and estate solutions, and retirement planning, Clark helps guide them through all aspects of their financial lives. “A successful wealth management practice encompasses far more than just a knowledge of finance. Skills in marketing, operations, and communication are crucial to building a business and better serving clients. The tools and the network that I gained at the Gabelli School have been pivotal to my success as an advisor.”

After completing a full-time M.B.A. with a STEM focus, Gui Zaniol joined Alvarez and Marsal as a consultant in the CFO services practice, focusing on performance improvement, improved reporting, and interim support for the office of the CFO. In 2022, Zaniol secured a position as a solutions consultant with Resulticks, a SaaS omnichannel customer engagement platform, where he supports strategy and delivery of internal projects, training and onboarding of new colleagues, project management, and customer onboarding and success. Zaniol is a data-driven problem-solver who applies entrepreneurship, business development, leadership, and project management skills to drive results across different industries and companies. “The skills I developed and the connections I made while studying for my M.B.A. helped shape the direction of my career and prepared me for my current role at Resulticks.”

After graduating with an M.B.A., Jay Finn joined Wells Fargo in asset-based lending before advancing to VP, senior strategy and planning consultant. Previously, he held a number of senior roles in the U.S. Army Reserve, including future operations manager, deputy HR director, executive officer to the AREC director of United States Army Central, and aide-de-camp to the 76th Division commanding general. He uses the skills he acquired in the service and the knowledge he attained by earning an M.B.A. to enhance organizations by improving processes, building strong teams, developing talent, solving unique problems, and achieving team goals. “The Fordham and Gabelli School communities provided constant support and guidance while supplementing my experience with education from a top institution. Both the people and the place are very special to me.”

Catherine Borja joined RBC Capital Markets, part of the Royal Bank of Canada, as a senior associate in market risk shortly after earning her M.B.A. In her promoted role as associate director, she oversees local market risk desk coverage for global markets spread and macro businesses in New York, and provides regulatory risk oversight of the combined U.S. operations of RBC. Borja earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2018. Borja’s past professional roles included serving as an equity research associate with the TCW Group, a portfolio risk data analyst with MSCI, and a fund accountant at JPMorgan Asset Management. She has experience with the sell and buy sides and is motivated by a passion to build data-driven solutions in global financial markets. “I believe that through the Gabelli School M.B.A. experience, the constant guidance from the Career Development Center, the large network of alumni, and the New York campus energy helped me to achieve my goals and get to where I am now.”

Sarah Mandell worked as a partnerships manager at Sockeye Media while earning an M.B.A. in Finance and Media and Communications. Upon graduation, she transitioned into a role as vice president. In her current position, she develops strategic goals for Mother Goose Club, a popular multimedia children’s brand on YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify. Day
to day, she manages the production team and a robust production schedule. Leveraging her five years of experience working in HR administration and finance, Mandell ensures the operational success of the company, while also working toward financial growth and space for aspirational long-term educational media projects for children. “The M.B.A. program at Gabelli created an ideal environment to meet new people, hone in on my professional goals, and learn the mechanics of running a business and managing others.”

Soon after completing an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems, Sandeep Jacob transitioned from an internship at Mother Cabrini Health Foundation into a full-time role as a risk and compliance manager there. Currently, he serves as the organization’s grants manager, building upon his experience working in both the philanthropy and technology industries. Prior to earning an M.B.A., Jacob was a software analyst at Yardi and a software engineer with ThinkBridge Software. While he decided to pivot out of the technology sector, he retained invaluable skill sets, which he combined with his knowledge of internal audit, compliance, and corporate finance, for a winning career. “The Gabelli M.B.A. armed me with the skills necessary to not just get a job, but to excel at it.”