The UConn Finance Society hosted its 9^th Annual Finance Conference March 28 at Morgan Stanley headquarters in Manhattan. Wall Street leaders joined business students and alumni to discuss trends in equities, dealmaking, and how to start a career in the sector.

“There are a million people out there who want to help you. It may not feel like it. But they do—especially people from UConn,” UConn Board of Trustees Chair and Morgan Stanley managing director Dan Toscano ’87 (BUS) said. Toscano candidly described his own struggle to get a foothold on Wall Street when he graduated in the aftermath of the Black Monday market crash. Toscano spent five years working other jobs before a door opened for him on Wall Street—but every job he worked taught him a great deal, and he urged students to make the most of every position they take.

The Finance Conference is an entirely student organized event that brings together UConn students, alumni, professionals, and industry experts to explore current trends in the finance sector. This was the first time the conference had been held in lower Manhattan. Christopher Walker ’19 (CLAS), a current Morgan Stanley associate in credit risk management, arranged for the venue in the heart of the financial district.

“We hope to make the conference in New York an annual tradition going forward,” said Finance Society VP of Marketing Stella Daniel ’26 (ENG).

“We want to engage as many alumni as possible,” and the Manhattan location makes that easier, Finance Society conference director Alexander Cameron ’26 (CLAS) said.

Meeting in person and making those in person connections is extremely important, said Sheldon Kasowitz ’83 (BUS), the equity panelist at the event. He urged students to avoid remote work early on in their careers. Taking risks, moving abroad, and working in markets that are unpopular can all give you an edge, he said. Kasowitz moved to Hong Kong in his late 20s and also worked in Japan, eventually founding Indus Capital Partners, a hedge fund focused on mispriced large-cap Asian equities.

Every panelist at the event was a UConn alum, and they hailed from a wide swath of finance, from mergers and acquisitions to private equity. More than 30 UConn alumni also attended the event.

“It’s wonderful. I am incredibly impressed—it reflects the quality of the students, and it’s a credit to the school,” said Nicholas Willett ’22 (BUS), a hedge fund credit analyst.

Current students also enjoyed the event.

“I’ll be issuing securities in the broader public equities market after graduation. Hearing Sheldon talk about trends in the private equities market was amazing,” said graduating senior Aria Penna ’25 (BUS). Penna said she found Kasowitz’s insights on the Asian markets particularly compelling.

Joseph Garcia ’27 (BUS) said he was interested in the different paths panelists took to get to their current positions. The incoming Sports Chair of the Student Board of Governors began his entrepreneurial journey early, selling snacks to fellow high school students during school and sporting events.

Garcia said his philosophy for success is “whatever opportunity there is, take it!”

The Finance Society is one of the largest student-run organizations at UConn. Their meetings are held at 6:30pm on Wednesdays in the School of Business.