I think back on really 50 years, Uh, get to where I am today. And that started with I'm the the the son of a single parent mom who reared me on her own, uh, with working in Union Job here in Manhattan. I am a native New Yorker. I'm also first generation. Uh, my mom is from Puerto Rico, Dad's Cuban, and in those early years just instilled in me a strong work ethic and confidence to be whatever I wanted to be, and that drove me through my academics and also which opened up opportunities for some wonderful institutions and mentors early on. You know, the mentors really start with your teachers and since my days at Xavier High School, which was a college preparatory school, young men, which leads me to its scholarship opportunity, that is the college, which is a private little large school upstate New York. And then, interestingly enough, after a while I had my first job at Time Inc working at People magazine in the publishing business. I remember my mom, still, even those days, and I'm in my early twenties, reminding me it's very important to pursue a a graduate degree and then years later, I had graduated from Harvard Business School. Um, my career. Since then, you has been involved in operating as an operating exact in technology media in the music industry on the last current opportunities. Um, the CF CFO for a boutique investment bank called the Opus Group, based here in New York.

first and foremost is thinking about what future opportunities are for the investment main, what areas to focus on. Today. We look at emerging markets, emerging sectors in those markets. Examples of that would be fintech bioattack because of the covert environment, distressed real estate to those there, a couple of examples worked very closely with the principles in planning not just the new term outlook and where to focus but evaluating current opportunities on their merits.Well, my top priorities are engaging me business. I do a tremendous amount. You have toe research. Also, in studying, I'm finding opportunities and also to form your own point of view in turn a market and outlooks for yourself. And I would say then, in terms of weekly hours, and in this role, I find it very flexible just because it's the nature of the on the banking side, we're now in virtual so. But it is a an everyday job in terms of always being curious, always meeting people, and one relationship leads you to another, and there's a little serendipity in that.

I would say the greatest challenge is staying managing your priorities on any given moment because you do not want to do your focus. I think also to is just having, uh, introducing yourself to and evaluating equality of the person that might represents a new relationship. You know, it's hard Thio. It takes time to assess and ensure that you're working people that share the same values, uh, in terms of how on a personal level and professional toe to approach business in particular investment banking.well, I would put the put it in the context of of Students are early in their careers of and I'll tie into my role today. But really my my success over years as a product leader as a former chief innovation officer for tech company one is to just always nurture your curiosity. It's very important in a fast changing world that as learners, people always, you're constantly you're as students. You and I'm sure you've heard this from your professors or mentors already. But it's such a true adage. We're now in the world today to remain relevant and engaged in successful. It's that you're kind of stuck with me learning, and that's important elements. The world change so so often, uh, and uh, so with that, I think those that have are constantly reinventing themselves and leveraging their skills or building new skills are not only will be successful but emerges leaders for others. I also think it's important that you nurture a strong sense of self. One should not. One should celebrate your who you are, and also it could be a big part of. I think it's a big part of the future leadership of those to embrace others who are different in any aspect, but also those who are strong. And they are. It's a sense of confidence and I can't tell you how many times and I'm sure maybe some of you were Someone said You can't do this or you're not position to do that And I chose and there were different reasons for along the way there was always someone that says, Don't listen to those people and trying your own path or give or take the chance on DSO I've benefited from that advice and I'm passing along to everyone here.