FAU Finance Professional Speaker Series
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase and the FAU College of Business
Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business received a sponsorship from JPMorgan Chase’s Women on the Move to create programs and opportunities for students, including those who are interested in pursuing careers in the finance industry. JPMorgan Chase will serve as the inaugural Financial Services Sponsor of the Women in Finance program for the College of Business. The program is open to all students and focuses on educating and training finance professionals.
With this support, FAU also will establish a student recruitment program for the finance department. In addition, FAU will begin development of a student-managed investment program that provides students with real-world experience in managing an investment portfolio. The gift will enable the college to begin teaching investment classes and develop a minor for finance majors focused on managed investments.
You can read more on the grant from JPMorgan Chase here.
The three-part Professional Speaker Series offers valuable insight into the finance industry, with speakers sharing their experiences and knowledge about various financial roles, challenges, and opportunities. Speakers will provide tips and strategies for launching your career and share how the financial industry is changing. The presentations will be followed by a networking session, where students can engage in discussions that extend beyond the classroom. This is an excellent opportunity to learn from professionals who have navigated their careers in finance and gain a better understanding of the industry.
“Careers in Finance”
Date: Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Time: 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Location: FAU Boca Raton Campus, Executive Education, SFC 107
Part three of a three-part series sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.
Featured Speakers: Hear from Finance Professionals
Philip M. Reagan – Executive Director and Banker, JP Morgan Private Bank
Phil Reagan is an Executive Director and the Florida Co-Lead of the Private Business Advisory Group at J.P Morgan Private Bank. He directs a team of specialists to provide sophisticated financial advice to private business owners and public company executives, affluent families and foundations. In recognition of his leadership within the investment community, Phil was named to Barron’s 2020 Top 1,200 Advisor list. Previously, Phil was an Investment Banker at Hyde Park Capital Partners in Tampa representing corporate clients in mergers acquisitions and capital raising efforts. Phil earned a B.B.A. from Stetson University, where he was a national champion at the RISE Symposium Portfolio Competition and interned at a hedge fund during his senior year. He holds an M.S. in Finance from the University of Florida.
Bruce J. Robb, CFA – Managing Director and Investment Specialist, JP Morgan Private Bank
Bruce is a Managing Director and Investment Specialist with J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Palm Beach, Florida. As a member of the Florida Investment Team, Bruce provides tailored investment strategies regarding holistic asset allocation and tactical investment decisions. Prior to joining the Palm Beach office, Bruce spent 7 years as a Portfolio Specialist with both the Global Managed Solutions team as well as the Private Bank’s Chief Investment Office in New York. Prior to JP Morgan, Bruce spent 14 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in institutional sales. Bruce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from McMaster University; and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Taneka Lawrence, CFA – Senior Relationships Manager, Advisor Relations, Polen Capital
Taneka Lawrence joined Polen Capital in 2018 serving as a Senior Relationship Manager in the National Accounts Team. Taneka works to create meaningful connections with her clients at large global banks, regional banks, industry custodians, and large independent broker dealers. Wealth management organizations work with Taneka to deliver investment solutions in large cap growth equity, small cap growth equity, emerging markets equity, and fixed income strategies. In addition to her work with clients, Taneka serves as a founding member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the co-founder of the women’s employee resource group, Women Inspiring Success and Engagement (WISE). Ms. Lawrence earned her MBA at Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s of Science from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Moderator: Tredesha (Desha) Howard, Senior Associate, Women on the Move
Tredesha (Desha) Howard is a Senior Associate for the Women of the Move DEI Center of Excellence. Tredesha supports the Financial Health and Wealth Creation pillar which focuses on enhancing the financial lives of women employees, customers, and clients as well as community members via external partnerships. Prior to this role, Tredesha worked as an internal wholesaler at a private asset manager covering Los Angeles and Hawaii. She enjoys dancing, eating and traveling.
“Setting Yourself Up for Success: Careers in Finance”
Previous Event Date: Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Location: FAU Boca Raton Campus, Executive Education, SFC 107
Part two of a three-part series sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.
Featured Speakers: Hear from Women Finance Professionals
Aisha Ali - Vice President and Banker
Aisha Ali is a Vice President and Banker in the Palm Beach office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Aisha partners closely with highly successful individuals, entrepreneurs and families to build a thoughtful approach to preserving and transferring not only their wealth—but also their meaningful values—to future generations. Aisha earned a B.S. in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University. She holds an M.B.A. in Entrepreneurship and Operations Strategy from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Terra Brown - Executive Director and Banker
Terra Brown is an Executive Director and Banker in the Palm Beach office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. She works closely with clients and their families to develop a thorough understanding of each client’s near and long term financial intent. Terra received a bachelor’s degree in Family Financial Management from The Ohio State University and earned her M.B.A with a specialization in entrepreneurship from Ashland University. She holds Series 7 and 63 licenses. She is co-chair for JP Morgan Chase “Women on the Move Interactive Network” South Florida Chapter.
Sofia Ballesteros - Private Bank Summer Analyst Intern
Sofia is a Summer Analyst for J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Palm Beach, Florida. Sofia grew up in Medellin, Colombia and moved to the United States in January of 2021. She is a senior majoring in International Business with a minor in Finance at Florida Atlantic University. At the university, Sofia is the Treasurer for the Global Business Association (GBA) and is part of the FAU Business Mentorship Program.
Morgan Fowler - Senior Associate, Early Careers – New Joiner Experience
Morgan is a DEI & Sourcing Specialist at JPMorgan Chase based in Columbus, Ohio. Her role is centered around educating college students on how to be intentional and effective as they navigate the internship recruiting process. Prior to joining the firm in 2021, Morgan held a similar role within higher education that also emphasized developing knowledgeable candidates. She recently achieved a bucket list goal of completing her masters of human relations with a concentration in diversity, equity, and strategic impact and is onto her next goal of visiting three different countries in one year.
Moderator: Anna Pomeranets, Ph.D., Department of Finance
Anna Pomeranets joined FAU in 2014 and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association. Prior to joining FAU, she was a Senior Economist at the Bank of Canada. Anna received her BA, MS and PhD in Finance from Rutgers University.
“Women In Finance”
Previous Event Dates: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Location: FAU Boca Raton Campus, Executive Education, SFC 107
Part one of a three-part series sponsored by JPMorgan Chase.
Featured Speakers: Hear from Women Finance Professionals
Annabel Remudo - Analyst, Women on the Move
Annabel Remudo is a CLDP analyst at J.P. Morgan Chase, a rotational program for recent college graduates. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Yale University. Originally from South Florida, Annabel loves spending time on the beach and working out in the sunshine.
Tredesha Howard - Senior Associate, Women on the Move
Tredesha (Desha) Howard is a Senior Associate for the Women of the Move DEI Center of Excellence. Tredesha supports the Financial Health and Wealth Creation pillar which focuses on enhancing the financial lives of women employees, customers, and clients as well as community members via external partnerships. Prior to this role, Tredesha worked as an internal wholesaler at a private asset manager covering Los Angeles and Hawaii. She enjoys dancing, eating and traveling.
Renee E Johnson - Vice President, Banker
Renee Johnson is a Vice President and Banker in the Fort Lauderdale office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Renee provides advice and institutional access to some of the area’s most successful individuals, business owners and multi-generational families. Renee earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she was on the varsity teams for swimming, diving and volleyball, and was named an All-Scholastic NCAA athlete. She holds an M.B.A. from Lynn University.
Moderator: Douglas Cumming, DeSantis Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Finance
For additional inquiries, please contact Anna Pomeranets at apomeranets@fau.edu or Myrna Sotolongo at msotolo2@fau.edu