Senior Isabella Valentino sets her sights on reuniting families and helping peers become more inclusive leaders
For many, getting into college can feel like running a race. For quantitative finance senior Isabella Valentino, her journey to Stevens started with an actual race.
Isabella’s father graduated from Stevens in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science. Her childhood was filled with stories of a special place nestled right across from New York City. Isabella was six-years-old when those tales came to life.
“My dad learned there was a Stevens alumni lollipop race for kids happening on campus, and I wanted to go,” she recalled. “I ended up winning first place! Afterward, we walked around campus and were able to tour some of the buildings. My dad would say, ‘I was in this lecture hall,’ and I didn’t even know what a lecture hall was, but it was so neat to see. Hearing his stories, his experiences and the opportunities that Stevens provided, it really inspired me to follow in his footsteps.”
As Isabella got older, she developed an appreciation for math and coding. With Stevens still in sight, she felt drawn to the School of Business and its renowned quantitative finance program. “Quantitative finance is the perfect combination of math, coding, and finance,” she explained. “It merges technical skills with financial systems, like the stock market, in a way that’s both analytical and dynamic.”
Using Entrepreneurship to Give Back
While Isabella was busy preparing to become a Duck, her family was struck by tragedy. Isabella’s Uncle Sonny was a truck driver who had fallen out of contact with her family years earlier. Then, in 2015, her family received a call that her uncle, who had been living near a homeless shelter in New Mexico, passed away.
Isabella saw the toll her uncle’s death took on her mother. “I knew she was devastated over it,” Isabella said. “We would have done anything to help him if we had known.” Determined to prevent other families from experiencing similar pain, Isabella turned her grief into action.
She established her nonprofit. “I founded Uncle Sonny’s to ensure no other family would have to endure such a loss,” she explained. “It’s easy to forget that individuals experiencing homelessness often have families who care about them and would help if they knew the circumstances.”
Isabella began building a database to connect individuals experiencing homelessness with their loved ones. “The goal is to partner with shelters to compile lists of residents and their immediate needs. Even if a reunion isn’t possible, families can still send essentials like food, clothing, or water.”
Isabella also saw an opportunity to leverage another one of her passions, mathematics, to support her mission. “I started Math for The Homeless (Math4TH) because of my passion for math and the desire to raise funds for Uncle Sonny’s,” she shared. “I created a YouTube channel where I post educational math videos, and all the funds raised from the views go directly to Uncle Sonny’s.”
While working on the database, Isabella has already made a difference in individual lives. “This summer, I met Daniel Levi, a man who had recently become homeless. He ran a martial arts training center in my hometown but faced a series of challenges that left him homeless and living in his car with his two dogs,” she shared.
Determined to help, Isabella presented Daniel with a $1,000 check. “He called it his ‘golden ticket,’ and it was incredible to see how much of an impact it made. Today, he has a job and a home in Florida. Witnessing that transformation was profound.
Finding the Power of Inclusion
The funds used to support Daniel came from Isabella’s involvement in one of the School of Business’ most successful initiatives, the Inclusive Leadership Certificate Program. Isabella was intrigued by the opportunity after seeing an email about the program at the start of the fall 2023 semester. She became so invested that she ended up attending every single event that semester.
Peter Dominick, co-director of the program, noticed her enthusiasm. “At the end of the semester, Peter approached me and said, ‘I see how engaged you are with this program. You’ve been consistently attending events. Would you consider speaking on our behalf at a Board of Trustees meeting?’” Isabella recalled.
After the presentation, Isabella was offered an assistant position, something she says has been incredibly rewarding. “I strongly believe in creating inclusive environments, especially in leadership roles. My involvement has allowed me to help others develop the skills of inclusion, diversity and effective leadership.” She has found satisfaction in getting to plan engaging events and see participants grasp the program’s topics.
Her involvement has made a big impact according to Peter. “Isabella’s own experiences and interests have always aligned with the principles and the qualities of inclusive leadership,” he said. “On the one hand, she brings an empathetic lens to her interactions and what she encounters. On the other hand, she takes action, as evidenced by her commitment to Uncle Sonny’s.”
Co-Director Wei Zheng echoed her collaborator’s sentiments. “I’ve always appreciated Isabella’s initiative and creativity. She always brings up new ideas and is willing to try new things.”
Finishing the Race
As Isabella finalizes the Uncle Sonny’s database, she’s also preparing to graduate in May. While she’s open to exploring opportunities at many companies, she sees herself stepping into the role of an algorithmic trader. “It’s the perfect role that blends my quantitative finance major, computer science minor, and concentration in data analytics,” she shared.
Wherever her journey leads, one thing is certain: Isabella will continue making a difference.
