USD Business and President's Senior Leadership Institute Students Travel to New York City
During their visit, which took place April 22-26, the students toured a trading floor at Morgan Stanley. There they learned from Todd Shaw, senior vice president at Morgan Stanley Global Wealth Management.
The group also visited Stifel, Inc. They met with Chad Morganlander, co-founder and senior portfolio manager at Washington Crossing Advisors; Michael O’Keefe, chief investment officer; and several junior analysts who shared their experiences as new employees at the firm.
“These interactions provided students with the opportunity to learn more about the asset management industry and the early stages of a career in finance and portfolio management,” said Klaus Beckmann, Ph.D., associate dean of undergraduate programs at the Beacom School of Business.
The students also met with several notable USD alumni, including John Thomson, ’77, ’74, Stanton Zaczek '17, Sophia Lima '20, and Joshua VanHouten '22.
“Special thanks go to all the alumni who participated, with a particular acknowledgment to John Thomson for hosting the student and alumni reception,” said Beckmann. “John shared his extensive experience in private equity investment and his knowledge and passion for art, providing students with unique insights and advice.”
Students Reflect on the Trip
The trip was a valuable experience for the students, both personally and professionally.
Mikael Jylanto, a sophomore finance major at the Beacom School of Business, reflected on how meeting the professionals helped put everything he has learned into perspective. “Hearing insights from Chad Morganlander and John Thomson made the finance world feel much more real and gave me a clearer idea of the different paths I can pursue,” he said.
Julia Platt, a senior health services administration major at the Beacom School of Business, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the trip. “Visiting Morgan Stanley and Stifel provided advice on transitioning from college to early career as a young professional,” Platt said. “I appreciated the advice from Stanton Zaczek, who emphasized the importance of having mentors outside of one's own company for a fresh perspective.”
Analese Martinez, a graduate student in the accountancy program at the Beacom School of Business, shared how the trip inspired her to work harder, find her passion, and be more open-minded to opportunities. “I particularly enjoyed touring the Morgan Stanley sales trading floor and seeing the hustle and bustle of New York City's work ethic,” said Martinez. “I found it more inspiring compared to the more casual work ethic in South Dakota.”
Cassidy Carson, an MBA graduate student at the Beacom School of Business, emphasized the value of opportunities like this trip for both learning and personal growth. “I’m grateful for the generosity of the donors who made the trip possible,” said Carson. “The experience helped me feel more confident in my goals and more connected to my peers.”
The impact of the trip extended beyond professional insights. The students also enjoyed exploring the city, visiting places like Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and building connections with classmates that will carry forward. The trip left them more motivated and excited for what’s next.
This trip was made possible by the generous gift from Tom and Diane Johnson, who support leadership development at USD.
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