The Gabelli Graduate Peer Advising program connects established graduate students with incoming peers to provide support, guidance, and information and help with their transition to the Gabelli School of Business and for many, New York City. Gabelli Graduate Peer Advisors also work with administrators and the Student Advisory Council (SAC) to collaborate on ideas and represent their Gabelli graduate program.

CAITLIN ABRAMS
Professional MBA
cabramsfreund@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Caitlin. I grew up in Manhattan and I studied theater and psychology during college, after which I attended The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. I went on to perform in off-Broadway shows and films, earning me my SAG-AFTRA card. I supported myself by working contract jobs in marketing, public relations, and event production. With the goal to transition careers, I started my MBA journey.
I am starting my final year at Gabelli Business School; my academic focus is marketing and finance. I am also the Vice President of the Fordham Women in Business Club, an active Gabelli student ambassador, and a Gabelli blog contributor.

XINRAN “CLAUDIA” CAI
MS Quantitive Finance
xcai36@fordham.edu
Beijing, China

My name is Claudia Cai and I am a first-year master’s student at Fordham University Gabelli School of Business studying Quantitative Finance. I currently reside in Beijing, China. Prior to my journey at Fordham, I obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Mathematics at UC Santa Barbara. In the future, I would like to build a career in asset management or wealth management. My hobbies include baking cakes, hiking, and traveling.

LAURA CAPASSO
Professional MBA
lcapasso@fordham.edu
New York

My name is Laura Capasso, and I’m a senior financial analyst with experience in cost estimating, stakeholder management and performance analytics. I began the Gabelli Professional MBA program in Spring 2020, and I am pursuing the degree to improve my technical skills and management capabilities. I’m passionate about Jesuit education – prior to joining the Fordham community, I studied at the University of Scranton and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Italian. I currently work at National Grid on the NY Financial Planning & Analysis team, managing the financial performance and reporting of their downstate NY operating companies. In my spare time, I love to garden, bake and play volleyball. I am excited to be a resource and welcome new students to Gabelli!

SEBASTIAN CARVAJAL
MS Applied Statistics and Decision Making
scarvajal3@fordham.edu
New Jersey

My name is Sebastian Carvajal, and I am a graduate Gabelli School of Business student from New Jersey. I completed my undergraduate degree in Finance and have experience working in the fields of Finance and Operations. Previously, I worked as an Operations Planner and Consultant for an Italian based cosmetics company. Following that role, I transitioned into my current role as a Financial Reporting & Analytics analyst for the state of New Jersey. I am currently pursuing my graduate degree in Business Analytics here at Fordham. The MSBA program has given me the opportunity to learn and master the many skills required to execute in a data driven world. Following graduation, I would like to continue my journey as a Financial analyst and apply my diverse skillset to the complex problems that are prevalent in today’s business world. On my free time, I enjoy learning new skills, reading, and living an active and fit lifestyle.

SERGEY CHURSIN
Full-Time MBA
schursin@fordham.edu
Brooklyn, NY

My name is Sergey and I am a second year, full-time MBA student at Fordham University, concentrating in Fintech and Healthcare Administration. I have expertise in the financial and medical technology industries over the years. I have spent several years working for Morgan Stanley as a Financial Analyst and an Equity Trader for a small, specialized sales desk. After Morgan Stanley, I pursued my interest in Python Programming and worked for Optum as a Medical Audit Software Developer. I decided to pursue my MBA to capitalize on my experience in finance and healthcare technology and to move into a healthcare strategy role post-MBA. In Summer 2021, I interned with AbbVie Pharmaceuticals in a Market Access Strategy role.

SARINA CODELIA-ANJUM
Full-Time MBA
scodeliaanjum@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Sarina Codelia-Anjum. I am a second year MBA candidate at the Gabelli School of Business, concentrating in Finance and FinTech. Prior to business school, I previously worked in the financial services industry. I am a native New Yorker and have a BA in Economics from CUNY Baruch College. For the summer of 2021, I was an MBA Finance intern at Quest Diagnostics, working on the Regional Analytics team. I also currently serve as a Junior Board member for the New York Foundling. In my spare time, I enjoy orchestral performances, sailing, and volunteer as a mentor to undergraduate students at Baruch College and Streetwise Partners.

MARIA CONS
MS Global Finance
mconsdelagarza@fordham.edu
Hermosillo, Mexico

My name Is Maria and I am from Mexico. I studied Finance and worked for two Mexican banks in their derivatives departments for over two years. I am currently enrolled in the MS in Global Finance at Fordham, and when I graduate, I hope I can continue working in the derivatives field. My favorite things to do are reading, exercising, and traveling.

TOM DONOVAN
Professional MBA
tdonovan14@fordham.edu
Boston, MA

My name is Tom, originally from the suburbs of Boston, MA, and I am currently a Master of Business Administration candidate in Gabelli’s Professional MBA program. While completing my undergraduate degree at Northeastern University, I participated in Northeastern’s cooperative education program (co-op) having held positions at State Street Global Advisors and BNY Mellon. Upon graduation, I joined S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Associate Development Program in NYC. Since then I’ve taken on various opportunities within the organization and spent several years on the West Coast in LA and SF, before returning to the firm’s NYC headquarters.

Currently, I’m a Senior Sales Director supporting global, strategic investment banking and private equity clients. I also oversee a team of sales executives. I’ve found my sales career to be very rewarding by leveraging my positive outlook and team-orientated approach to cultivate new relationships and business opportunities. I’m looking forward to working with incoming Gabelli students and serving as a resource when it comes to acclimating to business school while also achieving a healthy work-life balance.

JENNA GAMBINO
Professional MBA
jgambino4@fordham.edu
New York, NY

Marketer. Events Nerd. Steward of Brands. Pop Culture Junkie. Lover of Food and Wine. These are some of the words that Jenna Gambino uses to describe herself. By day she is a marketing professional specializing in traditional and experiential/event marketing, brand management, and advertising, and by nights (and weekends) she is a professional MBA student, a pizza/wine connoisseur, and will likely ask to pet your dog.

IQRA HAMID
MS Global Finance
ihamid@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Iqra and I am originally from Pakistan but born and raised in the Middle East. I have 7+ years of experience in different fields. I initially started out as an Assistant Professor for Business Management course in Arab Open University Saudi Arabia. Then I switched to being an accountant for several companies in Middle East. I am currently enrolled in the MSGF program and I intend to specialize in Risk Management using the tracks offered by the University. I love traveling. I strongly believe if you want to learn and grow just take a trip alone. You end up learning so much more about yourself and also meeting different people from different cultures always excites me. I have also a passion for cooking and I am a big time foodie. If you need any recommendations on where to eat out, I am the right person to ask. I have recently developed a growing interest in learning guitar.

BACH HO
MS Quantitative Finance
bho5@fordham.edu
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

My name is Bach and I am from Vietnam. Prior to attending Fordham, I worked in investment management. I am currently studying in the MS in Quantitative Finance program at the Gabelli School, and I would like to pursue a career in investment management after I graduate. My interests and hobbies include traveling, camping, swimming, and music.

XINMENG “CHRIS” HU
MS Media Management
xhu109@fordham.edu
Xi’an, China

My name is Xinmeng “Chris” Hu, originally from Xi’an, China. After earning my bachelor’s degree of Marketing in China, I came to Gabelli School of Business with a huge passion for the entertainment industry. I am currently studying in the Media Management program. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and trying new restaurants with friends. I can also speak Korean and Thai a little bit, and always like to learn new languages. It is really exciting to be a peer advisor. I hope to welcome our newcomers and help them get a great experience at Fordham.

LEONARDO LUCHETTI
MS Business Analytics
lluchetti@fordham.edu
Sao Paulo, Brazil

My name is Leo Luchetti and I am a student in the MS Business Analytics program. I joined the Gabelli School of Business to deepen my technological expertise and advance my career in a more specialized field. I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and came to Fordham from the non-profit industry, working at Feeding Children Everywhere during college and assisting the logistics of distribution for millions of meals to local communities in need.

Through the program, I have held leadership positions in the Fordham Business Analytics Society and Net Impact student organizations to take an active role in student development and sustainable action in the community. Beyond academics, I spend my time reading books, playing instruments, and bike riding through the city.

ZHAOYU “ARIA” MENG
MS Professional Accounting
zmeng20@fordham.edu
Zhengzhou, China

My name is Zhaoyu Meng and I go by Aria. I am from China and received my bachelor’s degree from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics. I am currently studying in New York at Fordham University Gabelli School of Business for a master’s degree in accounting. I think coming from a different culture is an added value because it opens my mind to more perspectives, and I am very excited to share my journey at Fordham with new classmates!

MARIANA OLIVEIRA
Full-Time MBA
moliveira7@fordham.edu
Brazil

I am Mariana Oliveira, a Full-Time MBA student majoring in Fintech and Marketing. I worked for 15 years in the Fashion Retail Industry in my home country in product management. I managed pricing, product, allocation, and promotion for different categories across the companies I worked for. After many years in Marketing, I decided to pursue my MBA and pivot my career to more strategic/ finance roles in companies in the US. This summer I interned at American Express in the Finance team. I will be serving as a Co-president at Fordham Women in Business and as Head of Events at Fordham Business in Luxury. In my free time, I like to run outdoors, and whenever possible, I love to travel to different locations in the US and the world.

HARRY ORTOF
MS Media Management
hortof@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Harry and I am currently a contributing writer for Sava360 industries, where I cover financial technologies, politics, and social issues. I’m also obtaining my MS in Media Management from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. I studied journalism and was a varsity swimmer at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. My outside interests include guitar, reviewing restaurants, and the beach.

I’ve been a lifelong New Yorker, and I’m honored to be a part of the Graduate Peer Advisor program. New York City has so much to offer, and I can’t wait to share my experiences with incoming Fordham students.

REBECA ROZENBAUM-CABEZA
MS Professional Accounting
rrozenbaumcabeza@fordham.edu
Caracas, Venezuela

My name is Rebeca and I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Upon graduating high school, I moved to NYC to pursue a BA in Government & Politics and English from Wagner College. While at Wagner, I became involved in different clubs, including the International Connections Club, Hillel Club, and the Wagner College Activities Board.

So far, I have completed a total of 6 internships, including a Constituent Affairs Internship at the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, an International Affairs Internship at the World Jewish Congress, a Subsidiary Rights Internship at Abrams Books, and an Accounting Internship at Manhattan Parking Group.

Currently, I am pursuing an MS in Accounting at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business, where I am a Gabelli Peer Advisor, Gabelli Graduate Ambassador and the Co-President of the Fordham Accounting and Tax Society.
In my spare time, I like to read, watch movies and TV shows, and go to concerts.

ANMOL TAKHTANI
Full-Time MBA
atakhtani@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Anmol. Prior to pursuing an MBA at Fordham, I worked in financial services for 6 years in Boston, MA. My most recent role was at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in Credit Risk Management where I helped identify risk and propose regulatory recommendations. Since joining Fordham, I have taken on roles in Fordham’s Finance Society as Co-President, Fordham’s Women in Business as Treasurer, and the South Asian Business Association as VP of Operations and Logistics. This summer I worked at American Express as a graduate finance intern on the Corporate Planning & Analysis team. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, and being outdoors.

QIJUN “DAISY” WANG
MS Media Management
qwang187@fordham.edu
New York, NY

My name is Daisy and I am currently an international graduate student pursing my master’s degree in Media Management at Fordham University. Before moving to New York, I finished my graduate studies in Integrated Marketing Communication at Emerson College in Boston.

During my studies at Fordham, I worked as a Graduate Assistant for Professor Bozena and Professor I am working with the Academic Advising Office on advising students on class registration, answering inquiries about courses, internships and on campus events.
As an international student, I have a good awareness of difficulties of adapting to campus life, culture conflicts and language barriers, especially during the pandemic. I am dedicated to helping incoming students fit into college life, being the “tour guide” for everyone’s Fordham study and life.

I speak English and Mandarin. In my free time, you can find me snorkeling in Hawaii or spending summer holidays on the beach.

YUAN “JASON” WANG
MS Marketing Intelligence/MS Global Finance
ywang521@fordham.edu
Shanghai, China

My name is Yuan (Jason) Wang! I am from Shanghai, China! I am currently a master’s student in the Marketing Intelligence program. Before I joined the MSMI program, I was an undergrad at Gabelli School of Business, majoring in Global Business with a concentration in Consumer Insights, and I have previously worked in ad agencies serving clients like Budweiser, Busch Beer, and CVS Pharmacy. After graduation, I would love to either continue working in the advertising industry or take on a more strategic role in the marketing department at a large CPG company! One of my biggest interests has always been cooking because it is the one connection I have with my family and my hometown. This is my ninth year in America, so cooking Shanghainese food reminds me so much of home!

SHUYUAN “SUSIE” WEI
MS Media Management
swei41@fordham.edu
Hefei, China

My name is Susie and I am pursuing a Master’s degree in the Media Management program at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. I graduated from Anhui University in China and received my Bachelors in English Language and Literature and a minor in Spanish. The affluent literature studies and professional business projects cultivated my critical thinking ability and innovative thinking. I was a consultant, an HR assistant, communications and graphics design intern, journalism intern, on-campus marketing co-manager, interpreter, social media moderator, and research assistant. I am happy to share any thing related to Fordham and the MSMM program.

LIAM ZAAIJER
Full-Time MBA
lzaaijer@fordham.edu
New York, NY

I am Liam and I am currently a Full-Time MBA student at the Fordham Gabelli School of Business with a focus on Marketing and Management. In addition to being a Peer Advisor, I am the President of GTech, Fordham’s Technology and Entrepreneurship club. I also am a member of the Board of Advisors for Mensajeros de la Paz, a Spanish nonprofit, focusing on providing aid to society’s most vulnerable. I did my undergraduate at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, majoring in Political Science and Spanish.

After undergrad, I served in the US Peace Corps in Armenia. For the last several years I have been working in the NYC Start-Up scene, for two different SEO Software companies in a Head of Sales role. In Summer 2021, I interned for AT&T’s Leadership Development Program in a Product Marketing role.

Personally, I enjoy the outdoors, playing basketball and tennis, and listening to music. I also enjoy keeping up with international and domestic politics.