How do you ensure finance curricula remain on the cutting edge in an industry constantly adjusting to technology-driven changes? At Stevens, a deep bench of experts representing the world’s great finance companies provide invaluable guidance and direction, ensuring programs remain current with industry needs and creating remarkable professional development opportunities for students. Stevens is deeply appreciative of the role its board of advisors plays in ensuring the continued excellence of its finance programs.
Arnisa Abazi
Managing Director, Citi
Arnisa is responsible for the development of credit stress-testing models for Global Wholesale portfolios. She was elected to the 2017 Class of Women in Risk and is an ambassador for the Global Risk Organization for Women at Citi. Previously, she was director at American Express, where she was distinguished with American Express Centurion circle award and Chairman’s Award for Innovation. Arnisa has taught as an adjunct professor at Stevens and as a lecturer at Rutgers University. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics with a specialty in Econometrics and Financial Economics.
Ishaan Acharya
Director, Hudson River Trading
Ishaan is responsible for finance and strategy at HRT, an automated trading firm that brings a scientific approach to trading financial products globally. Previously, he worked in the Financial Institutions Group at JPMorgan, where he specialized in M&A and capital markets advisory in the market structure, fintech, and asset management sectors. Ishaan began his career at Goldman Sachs and worked for the firm in New York and London. Ishaan graduated from Stevens and received his MBA from Duke University.
Farshid Asl
Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Farshid is responsible for the strategic asset allocation and quantitative modeling and analysis of tactical views for the Investment Strategy Group. Previously, Farshid was a senior vice president of Risk Analytics at GMAC. He has been a program fellow and adjunct professor at Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University, and has published various papers in quantitative journals and led a number of workshops in quantitative trading. Farshid has an M.S. in Financial Engineering and a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Bryan Cross
Head of Quantitative Evidence and Data Science, UBS
Bryan’s team is responsible for incorporating science and data driven insights into the traditional fundamental investment process through the use of alternative data and machine learning. Previously, he was a senior fundamental analyst in the concentrated long short portfolio in O’Connor within UBS Asset Management. Bryan joined UBS in 2003 and started his career at UBS Investment Bank on the Quantitative Trading team, focused on high frequency ETF market making and program trading. Bryan received a B.A. in Economics and an M.S. in Financial Mathematics from the University of Chicago. He also is a member of the CFA Institute.
Oana Diaconu
Executive Director, Data Science, CVS Health
Oana has 15 years’ experience in analytics and strategy in the United States and Europe, having worked in the financial services industry and in academia. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from Clemson University and an MBA from London Business School, and is a Fulbright alumna. Aside her experience in the industry, Oana has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in economics and data science, and her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Sean Hanlon
Chairman and CEO, Hanlon Investment Management
Sean founded Hanlon Investment Management, an innovative asset management, services and financial technology company, in 1999. He is chairman of the advisory board for the Hanlon Financial System Center at Stevens and serves on the university’s board of trustees. Sean earned a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens in 1980, earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 1997, and is a member of Stockton University’s financial planning advisory board.
Nicholas Hegarty
Senior Vice President, Partners Group
Nicholas is part of the Client Solutions Americas business unit, and has 13 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Partners Group, he worked at Goldman Sachs, the Central Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Air Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Dayton, Ohio, and a juris doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Bob Hudak
Managing Director, Mizuho
Bob advises corporate clients across industries on financial and business strategies and policies, and develops customized structured solutions for key financial problems and M&A initiatives. Bob is a three-time recipient of “Deal of the Year” honors by IDD. Prior to joining Mizuho, Bob was responsible for similar corporate finance activities at JPMorgan, Citibank and RBS, and also worked at Exxon. He has a B.S. in Civil, Chemical & Environmental Engineering from Rutgers University, and an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
Antonios Lazanas
Head of Portfolio and Index Research, Bloomberg LP
Antonios’ team is responsible for the portfolio risk and performance analysis models incorporated into Bloomberg’s advanced portfolio and index analysis system, as well as research and products in systematic strategies, factor investing, smart beta and portfolio construction. Previously, he worked at Barclays, Lehman Brothers and Salomon Brothers. Antonios holds a Ph.D. and a master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, and a diploma of Electrical Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens.
Jane Lin
Partner and Principal, EY
Jane has more than 15 years’ financial services experience, with a focus on the development, validation and review of credit risk models for retail and commercial credit exposures. Jane has worked on numerous credit analytics engagements with leading financial institutions for stress testing, loss forecasting, portfolio management and related considerations. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from Columbia University, and bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Geography from the University of Massachusetts.
Claire Mezzanotte
Group Managing Director, DBRS
Claire is responsible for leading the rating and surveillance teams, quantitative analysis, methodology, and model development and research. She oversees approximately 160 analysts in New York, Chicago, London and Toronto. Claire also is chair of the Structured Finance Criteria Committee and the Policy Review Group. Previously, she worked at Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Chase Manhattan Bank, among others. Claire received a B.S. with honors in Finance from the University of Connecticut.
Niladri Mukherjee
Head of Portfolio Strategy at Chief Investment Office, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Niladri helps set GWIM’s tactical asset allocation and investment policy decisions as a voting member on the Investment Strategy Committee. He also is the lead strategist for providing investment, portfolio positioning and implementation advice to Merrill Lynch Private Banking & Investment Group. Previously, he worked at Dover Management, KPMG and Infrastructure Professionals Enterprise. Niladri earned his MBA in Finance from New York University and a B.S. in Physics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
Joseph Pabst
Vice President, U.S. Commercial Charge Risk Strategy, American Express
Joseph is responsible for monitoring credit risk to a multibillion-dollar portfolio of airlines. Before his current role, Joseph led consumer credit operations for Latin America and Spain with a team of 150 employees. Joseph previously was responsible for pricing and revenue management of American Express’ Latin American merchant business. Previously, he worked in the loyalty programs business at American Airlines and Continental Airlines. He holds an MBA and B.S. from Purdue University.
Scott Ross
Executive Director, UBS
Scott is responsible for managing a team that evaluates emerging technologies across financial services. His team runs several lab environments that pilot new technologies, determines potential business benefits and develops adoption strategies. Scott has worked on technology projects in CRM, M&A, sales and trading, and high-performance computing. He has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University, an M.S. in Information Systems from Boston University and an MBA, also from Boston University.
J. Scott Swensen
Founder and Chairman, Conduit Capital Partners
Scott formed Conduit in 2003 to continue the Latin Power business he had started at Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Scott’s career has also included work with The Chase Manhattan Bank (now JPMorgan Chase), Banque Paribas (now BNP Paribas) and DB Capital Partners. Scott is a member of the Stevens board of trustees. He was a member of the board of the Latin American Venture Capital Association and is now chairman and CEO of the Latin American Venture Capital and Private Equity Foundation. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stevens and an MBA from New York University.