Lily Stone, Michael Moschello and Zidanni Clerigo from Stevens’ iSTEM and Launchpad programs, along with Farvardin, were invited to the Prudential Financial U.S. Businesses Data, Service, and Technology Town Hall — a company event at-tended by approximately 200 people at Prudential’s Newark, New Jersey, headquarters and 2,500 people virtually. Farvardin and the students participated in a conversation about generative AI and “inventing the future.” 

Their invitation was inspired by a Stevens event attended by Bob Bastian, Prudential’s chief information and technology officer, Global Retirement and Insurance, and a member of Stevens’ President’s Leadership Council. After hearing iSTEM and Launchpad students speak at the event, he invited them to Prudential. 

“Their creativity, ambition and ability to turn ideas into reality was truly inspiring,” Bastian says. “It’s evident that the next generation of leaders is already making a significant impact on the world. As a proud member of the President’s Leadership Council for Stevens, I am continually impressed by the talent and innovation emerging from this institution.” 

Stone, a third-year computer engineering major, and Moschello, a second-year computer engineering major, are members of Launch-pad@Stevens, which connects creative students with entrepreneurs to help them build technology-based businesses. Clerigo, a first-year computer science major, participates in iSTEM, a program that identifies, nurtures and propels exceptionally talented students whose innovative thinking may not be reflected in traditional academic metrics, and helps them thrive and create impact.