Alumni
Salute to the Full-Time M.B.A. Class of 2022
Alumni success stories
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 U.S. and around the world. On these pages, we feature six outstanding alumni from the full-time M.B.A. Class of 2022, whose hard work and deep commitment to responsible business are elevating their careers and making a difference in the world.
Lou Carrafiello, GABELLI ’22
Investment Banking Associate, Barclays
Lou Carrafiello understood the challenges he faced when he decided to change his career path from financial services to investment banking. Knowing that industry connections and a strong network would be critical for his professional success, he enrolled in the Gabelli School Full-time M.B.A. program, which provided an opportunity to learn about banking while developing critical industry relationships. “I made a proactive decision to forge a new path for my career,” he explained, “and from the outset, I considered what I needed to enhance my prospects for securing a position at a top company upon graduation.” Carrafiello reached out to Gabelli School alumni who worked in investment banking, which helped him to stand out from other candidates in the graduate employment pipeline. It was these efforts that ultimately led to him obtaining his current position as an investment banking associate at Barclays.
Sarina Codelia-Anjum, GABELLI ’22
Vice President, Treasury Regulatory Affairs, Citi
For Sarina Codelia-Anjum, the decision to attend the Gabelli School of Business to earn her M.B.A. was based upon a desire to become a leader who believes in business with purpose, while advancing her career in financial services. One of the aspects of her education that she appreciated most was a learning environment focused on collaboration rather than competition, which she felt was unique to the Gabelli School. “We worked very hard, but camaraderie and togetherness also were a part of the culture, so as we built our skills and learned through project work, we also were able to foster strong professional relationships and nurture great friendships.” The curriculum itself helped to shape her thinking around responsible business and clarified what she is working to achieve in her current role at Citi. “I received a solid education and developed qualities that have helped me to look at business through a lens that considers people and our environment while making prudent decisions.”
jason gurtata, gabelli ’22
Vice President, Global Finance, BNY
While Jason Gurtata was on a path towards attending medical school, a family crisis necessitated he step in and lead his family’s retail business—an experience that ultimately inspired him to pursue a career as a business leader. During his initiation into the business world, he developed foundational business skills but was aware that he needed to expand his knowledge to fulfill his career goals and objectives. He enrolled in the Gabelli School Full-time M.B.A. program and took every opportunity to learn as much as he could while also making an impact as a student. He served as president of the Graduate Student Advisory Council and took on numerous other roles that enhanced his leadership skills. “The Gabelli School helped me to develop the business acumen needed to succeed while building my platform and finding my voice as a leader,” he noted. His desire to have an impact in business has shaped his outlook for the future and has influenced his work at BNY. “I think it’s important to leave the world in a better place than we found it,” he asserted, “as well as for all individuals to have a fair opportunity to be successful.”
Charles Plissner, GABELLI ’22
Associate Manager, Marketing Commercialization, Ziploc, SC Johnson
Charles Plissner’s sales role within the tech industry had given him exposure across many functions but, as he began to think about his next career move, he knew there was a lot he needed to learn before he would be able to realize his full potential in the field. “I’d learned that to be successful in sales and marketing, you need the eye of a photographer, the hand of a mathematician, and the words of a poet,” he noted. “But I also needed to get a better understanding of the full scope of the world of brand management and where it could take me.” The Full-time M.B.A. program at the Gabelli School provided Plissner with exposure to different industry sectors through guest speakers in class, attendance at conferences, and through the expertise and guidance of faculty members and career advisors. “I’d never considered applying to a company like SC Johnson, but my Gabelli School experience gave me the confidence to use my skillsets across industries no matter what kind of product I’m working with.”
Mariana Oliveira, GABELLI ’22
Manager, Global Commercial Services, American Express
Attending the Gabelli School of Business was crucial for Mariana Oliveira’s transition from a career in product management in Brazil to securing a professional role focused on finance in the United States. Having moved to the U.S. in 2019, she knew she wanted to grow her knowledge base and acclimate to a new business culture. Her experience in the Full-time M.B.A. program prepared her in a multitude of other ways as well. As a member of several school clubs, she pursued leadership roles including serving as co-president of Fordham Women in Business. Oliveira also expanded her network, which helped her to prepare for her current role at American Express. Landing this opportunity, she notes, would not have been possible without the assistance of the Gabelli School community. “In addition to learning skills like coding and taking FinTech classes, I also benefited from engagement outside of the classroom. I gained a lot of confidence and honed my presentation and public speaking skills, which helped with a successful job search.”
Liam Zaaijer, gabelli ’22
Senior Consultant, Gartner
Driven by a strong sense of purpose, Liam Zaaijer, who formerly served in the Peace Corps, was initially drawn to Fordham University’s Jesuit values and human-centric mission as he was looking for an M.B.A. program. Through the Gabelli School, he expanded his knowledge and made connections in the corporate world while staying true to his commitment to have an impact in business. “The courses I took during my time in the Full-time M.B.A. program gave me big picture insights and taught me to tackle business problems with the mindset of a C-suite executive,” he asserted. “It taught me to think like a management consultant, influencing my decision to pursue a career in consulting.” Zaaijer took advantage of the Gabelli School’s career development and job search support as well as the global alumni network. Through participation in student clubs, he gained the hands-on experience and confidence to move from managing smaller startup organizations to taking on a leadership role in a large corporation.
– Michelle Livingston