student – Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society Blog

December 16, 2024

86 Students & 50+ Alumni Participate in Fall Break Business Workshops

Finance Boot Camp students group photo

Every fall break, the Ciocca Center holds concurrent workshops for students involved in the Business Certificate Programs to connect with alumni, make real-world connections, learn industry insights and practice presentation skills. 86 students and over 50 alumni participated in last weeks iteration, details below.

The annual Global Supply Chain Management Workshop helped 45 students understand that everything we wear, eat, drive, and consume comes through an organized supply chain from different parts of the world. The alumni presenters included Pete Mondani ’79, Roger Lobo ’04, John Burke ’10 and Conor Moynihan ’13 – all practitioners in the field. They shared the inner workings of a global supply chain and how it manages the distribution of various goods and services. Teams of 4-5 students met with Holy Cross vendors, spanning from coffee to sweatshirts, to understand the inherent political, cultural, and ethical issues. They even got off campus to experience a working supply chain during a company site visit to Polar Beverages with a tour by Chris Crowley, executive vice president of the company.

Concurrently, the annual Finance Boot Camp brought 41 students to NYC to meet alumni on Wall Street as part of the Finance & Banking Certificate program. Starting with an alumni-led current event discussion and professional communication overview, students were prepped on campus for the overnight trip to the city. Alumni at JP Morgan, Piper Sandler, CIBC, KeyBanc and Morgan Stanley hosted the cohort to share industry insights, interview tips and discuss the various fields within the industry including sales and trading, investment banking, and wealth management.

Maeley Nakamura ’26, Megan McFarlane ’26, and Lindsay Julia King ’27 shared their student experience on the College’s Instagram account, which can also be seen on @holycrossbusiness.

Congratulations to all of the student participants and a big thank you to all of our alumni who are giving back to Holy Cross, like so many have done before them.

November 13, 2024

The Power of Continuous Learning: How Matt Bellomo ’13’s Holy Cross Education Shaped His Career

Kevin and Matt

After sitting down with Holy Cross alumnus Matt Bellomo ‘13, I gained valuable insights into how a liberal arts degree can pave the way for a successful career in business. His journey perfectly illustrates the power of a well-rounded education in today’s competitive business landscape. Matt is currently an Associate at Bentall Green Oak, a real estate private equity firm headquartered in New York City.

Matt graduated from Holy Cross in 2013 with a degree in Political Science. From there, Matt began his professional career by landing a job with Commonwealth Financial Network, where he spent most of his time in back-office operations. After almost eight years, Matt decided he wanted to transition into the Real Estate world. After utilizing his Holy Cross alumni network, Matt found himself at Bentall Green Oak.

He began by explaining that his classes at Holy Cross ignited his curiosity and instilled in him the ability to learn independently. This foundation allowed him to explore any topic that piqued his interest after graduation. He described how this passion for continuous learning was particularly impactful as he transitioned from financial services to real estate.

When I asked Matt how his liberal arts education prepared him for a career in real estate, he shared a thoughtful response. He began by explaining that his classes at Holy Cross ignited his curiosity and instilled in him the ability to learn independently. This foundation allowed him to explore any topic that piqued his interest after graduation. He described how this passion for continuous learning was particularly impactful as he transitioned from financial services to real estate. Matt believes that studying at Holy Cross cultivates a lifelong desire to seek knowledge, giving students an ongoing curiosity to expand their knowledge.

Matt highlighted how his experience at Holy Cross has shaped him into a more well-rounded individual and made him a stronger candidate in the job market. He emphasized that the diverse and comprehensive education he received provided him with a unique edge over peers from business schools, where many students followed the same narrow curriculum. This broad perspective, he believes, has been invaluable in his career.

Matt elaborated on how real estate is fundamentally a people-driven industry, where the ability to build and maintain relationships is crucial for success. He reflected on the exceptional interpersonal and communication skills he honed during his time at Holy Cross, emphasizing how these abilities have been instrumental in his career. The diverse interactions and experiences he had at the College prepared him to connect effectively with a wide range of individuals in the field.

Matt is yet another Holy Cross graduate who exemplifies the endless possibilities of pursuing a successful career in business.

Written by Kevin Birenbaum ’26

November 11, 2024

Curiosity, Confidence & Connection Inspire at 19th Annual WIB Conference

WIB Committee and Keynote Speaker

This past Saturday on November 2, Women in Business hosted their annual conference attended by nearly 200 alumnae and students. The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Joanna Geraghty ‘94, CEO of jetBlue and sociology major at Holy Cross, interviewed by Professor Susan Crawford Sullivan of the sociology department. “Curiosity is what makes a strong business leader, and that comes from a liberal arts education.” Geraghty shared.

Students and alumnae attended concurrent panels throughout the day including Women in Wealth, and Females in Fashion to Game Changers in Sports. Kate Beckerman ‘20, Global Compliance Manager at Boston Consulting Group, presented on a panel titled Beyond the Books: Humanities Majors Thriving in Business. “Our panel focus was on the power of a Liberal Arts education in the workplace” Beckerman shared. “I left feeling energized and inspired by the amazing students and alumnae in attendance!”

Another panel included Women Shaping the Future of Tech hosted by Jamee Herbert ’10, CEO & Co-Founder of BridgeCare and Aine Doyle ’20, Content Developer at IBM. The panel provided first hand insights on overcoming industry challenges. Herbert and Doyle highlighted strategies on navigating obstacles and the importance of mentorship within the tech industry. During round two of the breakouts, Finding your Voice and Communicating with Confidence was presented by Dana McManus ’16, Associate Relationship Manager at Wellington Management, and Baker Earl ’19, Associate, Internal Client Advisor at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The focus was on practical tips to enhance the tool of confident communication. They highlighted the importance of communication when it comes to empowerment, leadership, and organizational change.

Of the close to 200 attendees, Catherine Cote ‘18, founder of Project Empathy, shared that coming away from the conference she felt “empowered and grateful for this community.” Sharing several of her key takeaways from the event, including “the overarching theme of connecting with others in this community. Every presenter spoke to how other HC women supported them in their career journeys.” Even President Rougeau chimed in on LinkedIn sharing that he was “deeply inspired by last weekend’s Women in Business conference” and that “it’s clear that the next generation of women business leaders is already making their mark at Holy Cross.”

Katie Browne ‘25, a graduating co-chair of the Women in Business Organizing Committee and incoming analyst at Goldman Sachs, shares “As I close this chapter, I carry forward the knowledge and relationships built during this journey. Thank you to The College of the Holy Cross for supporting and empowering women in business through such a meaningful platform!” Another of our graduating co-chairs of the Women in Business Organizing Committee, Ariana Clark ‘25,, would like to thank “everyone who attended, asked insightful questions, and contributed to this powerful day of connection. It was truly inspiring to see so many passionate individuals come together to empower and uplift one another.” Pam McGinley ‘80, Women in Wealth conference panelist and SVP at Morgan Stanley, shared that “all of their leadership is truly inspirational and positively impacts our ecosystem.”

We look forward to seeing you next fall on campus as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Women in Business Conference!

October 11, 2024

Innovative Solutions for Global Issues: Lessons from the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Workshop

This past weekend, I was presented with the amazing opportunity to participate in the Entrepreneurship and Global Innovation Workshop, hosted in collaboration with Ycenter and its USA genius-grant recipient CEO, Dhairya Pujara. Over the course of a weekend, our group of twenty passionate students worked together in teams, each tasked with developing innovative solutions that would address some of the world’s most prevalent issues. My team focused on tackling inequalities in the healthcare system, especially the issue of people being exploited by pharmaceutical greed and systematic corruption.

As we were taught new and innovative ways of thinking about these issues, we brainstormed creative lines of attack against these tribulations in order to make a positive difference in the world. We came to the conclusion that the specific goal we wanted to address would be the issue of pharmaceutical confusion, a problem that, according to the Milken Institute, affects nine out of every ten Americans.

When continuing to reflect on the incredible aspects of this workshop, I realize that even though our ideas were a great start in making a change in the world, we never would have been able to create these solutions if it were not for Dhairya Pujara teaching us the power of creative thinking. This program highlighted the important questions that often escape us as we are both anxious and perplexed by the chaos of the world. We were taught how to identify specific issues then begin solving problems, rather than just providing quick-fix solutions.

As I begin my life in the working world of Public Relations next year, I am very excited to work with my team in order to identify client needs and think of the problems that consumers need resolved. I am very grateful for the lessons provided to us by both Ycenter and the Ciocca Business Center here at Holy Cross, and very much looking forward to standing out in the workplace because of what I have learned.

Written by Aidan Philbrick ’25

September 10, 2024

Student Highlight: Kevin Birenbaum ’26

My name is Kevin Birenbaum ‘26 and I am a junior at Holy Cross from Norfolk Massachusetts. I am majoring in International Studies, with a thematic focus on International Political Economy and a regional focus of Europe. I am also in the process of pursuing my Certificate in Finance and Banking. I have completed the Excel Tutorial, Corporate Finance & Banking workshop, as well as the Interview prep workshop. My experience with the Ciocca Center so far has not only grown my intellectual curiosity, but has also been enlightening in helping me gain real-world business experience. The Corporate Finance & Banking workshop in Boston has been one of the most helpful steps in my early professional career. Having the chance to learn about the various firms we visited and be present in their offices gave me a comprehensive understanding of what each firm is truly about. The other substantial benefit of the workshop was having the ability to meet and connect with a vast number of Holy Cross alumni who work in various roles in the finance industry. I had always heard about how helpful the alumni network at Holy Cross was, but never fully understood, or took advantage of it, until I participated in this workshop. Seeing first hand how eager and willing the alumni are to help us Holy Cross students in our professional careers was inspiring. I am still in touch with numerous alumni that I met during the workshop, and many of them have been extremely instrumental in my personal professional development.

“I had always heard about how helpful the alumni network at Holy Cross was, but never fully understood, or took advantage of it, until I participated in this workshop.”

I just recently finished my Summer Internship where I worked at a Real Estate Investment Firm called the Revival Companies, in their Dorchester, Massachusetts office. Throughout my time here, I worked closely with the Asset Manager and Head of Property Management for a 200-unit portfolio across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I was given the opportunity to handle budgeting, unit turnover, and new acquisitions. I assisted with the behind-the-scenes of remodeling units, managing permits and contractor coordination, and facilitating rental rate increases. This Fall, I am interning for the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, & Society where I will interview alumni to explore their diverse career paths and professional journeys, connecting their experiences with the liberal arts and its relevance to the business world. I am eager to get to know more of the college’s Alumni that have been able to embark on a successful career in business upon their graduation from Holy Cross.

September 2, 2024

Fullbridge Professional Edge Program Recap August 2024

Fullbridge Professional Edge Program Recap

This past week, Holy Cross students participated in the Fullbridge Professional Edge program, gaining invaluable experience designed to prepare them for today’s competitive job market. Participants worked in teams, tackling real-world business projects that honed their professional skills and boosted their confidence.

The program immersed students in a simulated workplace environment. Over several days, they engaged in a hands-on, experience that culminated in a final team presentation competition.

We’re thrilled to announce the finalists of this year’s competition:

Team Puma: Anna Hagan ’27, Daniel Illanes ’26, Patrick Kelly ’26, and Christopher O’Brien ’27
Team Under Armour: Maya Benet ’27, Grace Damico ’27, Kevin Greed ’26, and Conor McCann ’27
Team Lululemon: Jennifer Prince ’27, Jack Rogus ’27, Nicholas Popeleski ’26, and Johnathan Prior ’27

Team Lululemon, emerged as the overall winners and received Apple gift cards for their outstanding performance!

Congratulations to all participants! We look forward to seeing more work in our next session, starting on October 15th.

April 10, 2024

New Speaker Series: CrossTalks

The first CrossTalks event hosted by the Ciocca Center took place on Saturday April 6, 2024 as part of the College’s celebration of 50 years of coeducation. Cassie Gevry, associate director of the Center, introduced the new series bringing esteemed speakers to give provocative and engaging presentations to connect the community across campus, generations, disciplines, industries and beyond. This event showcased three alumnae: Julie Halpin Anderson ’84, Francine Rosado-Cruz ’94, and Carolyn Risoli ’86. They presented on “Discernment in Action,” highlighting the value that their liberal arts education and various majors bring to their work in business.

Julie Halpin Anderson ’84, a French major, is a brand builder, leadership coach, and creativity accelerator, known as one of the industry’s most recognized and well-respected experts on brand strategy and creative expression. During her talk, she reflected on her journey as a Crusader, acknowledging past feelings of dissonance between her chosen industry of advertising and the Jesuit call to be a woman for others. Julie recounted a pivotal moment when a colleague’s creative idea sparked a realization about the essence of her work in advertising – not just selling products, but facilitating moments of inspiration and creativity for others. This epiphany led her to explore the deeper significance of creativity and its potential connection to spirituality, prompting a shift in perspective towards her role as a facilitator of “goosebumps moments.” She further illustrates this by asking “what business are you in…really?” to help others uncover a deeper purpose and foster a sense of serving others, ultimately affirming her identity as a Crusader.

Francine Rosado Cruz ’94, an English major, is an HR strategist, consultant, and executive coach, considered to be a thought leader, influencer, and subject matter expert on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Francine embraces and embodies Jesuit values of magis, discernment, service rooted in justice and love, solidarity, and kinship, as they are symbolic to the most important values in her own career. She started by reminiscing about her father’s humble origins in Puerto Rico and her family’s multicultural background. She recalled her journey through college, guided by their father’s insistence on a Jesuit education, and how the values such as cura personalis and magis shaped her career path towards DEIB work. Francine recounted pivotal cannonball moments, including experiences with her college roommate, career choices, and health scares, crediting the liberal arts for her ability to stay curious. In the end, she expressed gratitude for the Jesuit values instilled at Holy Cross, which continue to inform her personal and professional endeavors, advocating for a life of dialogue and unity.

Carolyn Risoli ’86, a history major, is a fashion and luxury industry executive with over 30 years of experience. She is a seasoned veteran and pioneer in the field. She starts her talk with the question the interviewer from her first job out of college asked her, “History Major? What are you going to do with that?” Drawing parallels between historical analysis and business strategy, Carolyn highlights the importance of learning to “think critically, speak persuasively, and write effectively” as well as developing pattern recognition as a means to predict consumer behavior. She encourages students not to focus solely on job-specific skills but to embrace the broader perspective and adaptable mindset fostered by liberal arts education, which equips them to thrive in an ever-changing world. She closes with “So what can you do as a history major? Pretty much whatever the future throws at us.”

This CrossTalks event will be the first of many. If you are interested or know someone who might be great at sharing their story on stage in < 15 minutes, apply to be a CrossTalks speaker. We encourage you to take this opportunity to inspire others with the connections you have made between your studies and the value you bring to the business world.

Stay tuned for links to the recorded talks in the coming days!

April 8, 2024

WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown

On April 2, 2024, eight student-run organizations participated in the inaugural WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown at the BrickBox Theater in Worcester hoping to secure real investment for their startup company. Student entrepreneurs hailing from the College of the Holy Cross, Clark University, Nichols College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, presented to a panel of esteemed and notable sharks. Among them, Brian Geisel serving as the CEO of Geisel Software, Mark A. Wingertzahn, Ph.D., holding the position of Head of Development at INVIVYD, and Margaret McEvoy-Ball, with 40 years of experience in technology marketing and sales.

Representing the College of the Holy Cross were TJ Haigh ‘26 showcasing his app Trivflic and Logan Mott ‘27 and his brother Skylar Mott (who attends Leigh) revealing their invention Mark-It. Trivflic was awarded $2,000, and Mark-It received $1,500 to continue the growth of their initiatives. Moreover, all teams received valuable in-kind rewards, including 100 hours of mentorship from the sharks, WorcLab memberships, strategy sessions with Mike Mitchell, and meetings with MassVentures.

Congratulations to our students from the College of the Holy Cross for their pitches:

– TJ Haigh ‘26 founder of Trivflic

– Logan Mott ‘27 and Skyler Mott founders of Mark-It

Further congratulations to the following students pitching from Nichols, WPI and Clark: Continue reading “WooTank Intercollegiate Showdown”

March 26, 2024

11th Annual Cross Tank Competition

The 11th annual Cross Tank Competition took place on Monday, March 25th, at Smith Labs 155, hosted by HC Launch through the Ciocca Center. This year showcased an array of pitches, highlighting fresh and innovative approaches to problem-solving. Ideas ranged from optimizing track and field distance tracking to unveiling a 100% waterproof fabric, an app for musicians to collaborate to, and more.

Our panel of judges brought a wealth of diverse expertise to the table, featuring 2022 winner Nick Lazzaro ’23, Venture Forum Executive Zak Dutton, and Adjunct Professor and Healthcare Executive Tom Patton ’86. Teams vied for a total prize pool of $9,250.

The competition unfolded in two categories. In the Concept Stage, participants presented business ideas poised for launch:

First Place ($1,500):

Continue reading “11th Annual Cross Tank Competition”

March 14, 2024

Navigating Venture Capital: Insights from Joe Darcy ’11

After having the chance to sit down with Holy Cross alumni Joe Darcy ’11, many valuable insights were taught on the inner workings of a venture capital firm, career paths leading up to these roles, and how students can maximize their time while here on the hill.

Joe’s journey into the world of venture capital has landed him as Investment Manager at Volvo Group, where he plays a pivotal role in the company’s team. With a focus on investing in startups relevant to Volvo’s industry sectors, Joe and his team conducted thorough due diligence, meeting with hundreds of startups annually to find the right fits for the company’s investor portfolio. Joe’s entrepreneurial background—starting his own hockey club at just 14 and building the Holy Cross Club Hockey team from the ground up while serving as club president—equipped him with the mindset needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of venture capital.

Drawing parallels between building a VC portfolio and assembling a hockey team, Joe emphasized the importance of diversity in both. Just as a hockey team needs a mix of forwards, defensemen, vocal leaders, and quiet leaders to succeed, a well-rounded VC portfolio requires a diverse range of startups with different strengths and personalities. It’s this blend that ultimately leads to success, as each startup contributes to the collective goal of building businesses and generating investment returns.

Joe also shared valuable academic advice for current Holy Cross students. He emphasized the importance of taking advantage of resources like .edu emails to network and explore career opportunities early on. This access provides students with a distinct advantage in connecting with alumni and industry professionals, facilitating mentorship, internships, and job opportunities crucial for their future careers. Joe encouraged students to embrace their time at Holy Cross as a period of growth and learning, urging them to be sponges and absorb as much knowledge and experience as possible. He highlighted the benefits of the tight-knit community at Holy Cross, which not only fosters strong relationships but also prepares students for professional workspaces beyond graduation.

In conclusion, Joe’s journey from Holy Cross to venture capital exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in preparing students for diverse career paths. Through his experiences, Joe has not only made the most of his post-grad life but also offered valuable insights and advice for current and future Crusaders embarking on their own professional journeys.

Written by Nico Corporon ’26