SALUTE TO THE M.S. in FINANCE CLASS OF 2023

Gabelli School of Business graduates go on to highly successful and fulfilling careers. They are leaders in their fields whose impact can be felt across the United States and around the world. Below, we feature three outstanding alumni from the M.S. in Finance Class of 2023, whose Gabelli School experience has paved the way to success.

Vittorio Torghele began his journey from a small town in Italy to a career on Wall Street after a high school study abroad experience in Boston sparked his interest in attending college in the United States. A visit with a friend at Fordham sealed the deal. Torghele first pursued an undergraduate degree in finance at the Gabelli School. “At the time, I didn’t even know what investment banking was,” he noted. “The Gabelli School gave me the exposure to the industry, the courses, and a network of peers who helped me understand the opportunities in finance.” Those early discoveries help to shape his future, strengthening his knowledge and persuading him to continue his studies and earn an M.S. in Finance at the Gabelli School as well. Surrounded by classmates with diverse experience, Torghele acquired the skills needed to succeed in this competitive industry along with a deep appreciation of the power of networking and the importance of internships in opening doors. “Some students already had internships and knew the industry,” said Torghele. Talking with them opened my eyes to what was possible.” After graduating, he began his career at a boutique firm, determined to gain experience and prove himself. That perseverance ultimately led him to his current role as an investment banker at RBC Capital Markets.

As an undergraduate student at the Gabelli School of Business, Catherine Polisano balanced her studies with a commitment to playing as a guard for the Fordham basketball team. By the time she graduated, she knew there was more she wanted to explore. “I was interested in finance, but sensed I hadn’t gone deep enough,” she said. “I wanted the chance to focus further and to figure out exactly where I wanted to go in the industry.” She decided to pursue an M.S. in Finance at the Gabelli School as well. During her graduate studies, she was able to strengthen her technical foundation while exploring where her interests lay. Polisano soon discovered her love of numbers and a desire to connect with people, which steered her towards a career in financial advising. In addition to the comprehensive coursework the M.S. in Finance provided, the networking opportunities were equally transformative, opening her eyes to a wealth of professional opportunities. Today, Polisano is thriving at UBS as a client services associate while preparing for her next role in wealth strategy. “The Gabelli School gave me the confidence to choose the right path,” she noted. “I learned how important it is to embrace the help from those above and ahead of you while always being willing to assist those who come after you.”

After Mateo Ribadeneira earned an undergraduate degree in economics, he spent a year as an analyst at Credit Suisse before enrolling in the M.S. in Finance program at the Gabelli School of Business. He completed the intensive, three-semester program in just one year, finding courses that focused on financial modeling, corporate finance, and computational finance provided the career-ready knowledge he needed to advance in his progression toward more senior roles. “The program really focused on teaching practical and technical skills, such as financial modeling,” Ribadeneira commented. “It complemented perfectly what I learned during my undergraduate studies, gave me a solid foundation in finance, and prepared me for where I wanted to take my career.” Beyond academics, he valued the Gabelli School’s extracurricular programming—the finance clubs and specialized workshops reinforced classroom learning and gave him opportunities to network. Upon graduation, he joined ING’s Leveraged Finance group, where he now works as an associate within the Capital Markets and Advisory division. His team structures leveraged buyouts and major transactions for leading private equity sponsors. Looking ahead, Ribadeneira credits the M.S. in Finance program with giving him the technical depth, the industry knowledge, and professional network to grow and excel in the competitive world of finance.