STUDENTS
Bucky Aronoff
Bucky is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Finance, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Prior to Stern, Bucky worked as a Senior Consultant within Baker Tilly’s Restructuring & Consulting Services practice. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies from Muhlenberg College. In the summer of 2021, he was an investment banking Summer Associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Citi.
David Bernstein
Food Systems & Agriculture Deal Team Leader
David is a second year MPA student specializing in Public Finance and Financial Management. Prior to pursuing his graduate work at Wagner, David gained extensive financial and operating experience serving as the CFO of a middle market produce distribution business. David also held roles as a restructuring advisor to distressed businesses and as an analyst with a food and agribusiness focused credit fund lending throughout the Americas. He earned his B.S. in Finance and Accounting and a M.S. in Accounting from Syracuse University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York.
Margot Besnard
Margot is a second-year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Finance. She previously worked as a teacher for three years in Rosedale, Mississippi where she completed her Teach for America service. Since then, her work experiences have focused on housing policy and finance. She has conducted research as a housing fellow for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and a graduate trainee at the Federal Housing Finance Agency. She holds a B.A. with honors in Political Science from the George Washington University.
Hilarina Casie Chitty
Hilarina is a second year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. Originally from Sri Lanka, she brings expertise in the intersection of communication and social impact, from both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Her exposure spans four continents, and her experience includes two Fortune Global 500 companies in financial services and healthcare—HSBC and Johnson & Johnson. During the summer of 2021, Hilarina worked at the World Bank's Africa Gender Innovation Lab (GIL). She currently serves as the External Affairs Co-Director of the Social Innovation & Investment Alliance (SIIA) student association. Hilarina holds a Master of Communication and Information Studies (MCIS) degree from Rutgers University, and a B.A. in Business Administration from Staffordshire University, UK.
Shirley Dang
Shirley is a second-year MPA student at Wagner studying social impact, investment, and innovation. She currently works in faculty support at NYU School of Law coordinating events related to diversity and inclusion and civil justice. She has prior professional experience working in education and medical nonprofits, and managing grant portfolios for a philanthropic fund operated by a Japanese American organization. Shirley is passionate about intersectional environmental sustainability, equitable access to education, and gender equality. She holds a B.A. in Asian and Asian American Studies from Stony Brook University and a M.A. in International Education from NYU Steinhardt.
Ariana Dial
Ariana Dial is a second-year MBA candidate at NYU Stern, specializing in Corporate Finance, Accounting, and Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Prior to pursuing her MBA, she worked primarily in financial services. She also has had experience working in government and educational services. During the summer of 2021, she was an investment banking Summer Associate. Ariana holds a Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning with a minor in Architecture and a Master of Science in Commerce with a specialization in Finance from the University of Virginia.
Emily Farley Chang
Environmental Deal Team Leader
Emily is a second-year MPA student at NYU Wagner, specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. Prior to pursuing her MPA, she worked at Bridgewater Associates and Dalio Philanthropies, where she was a Program Manager focused on human capital and non-profit management. She most recently worked with a community development financial institution conducting impact investment research. Her research was centered around impact focused asset managers and COVID relief funds. Emily serves as the Co-Chair of the NYU Social Innovation and Investment Alliance (SIIA) and holds a BS in Applied Psychology from New York University.
Nora Frank
As the Associate Director of AMY Wellness Foundation, Nora Frank was a key part of a team tasked with improving health and wellbeing of individuals in a three-county region. She oversaw grant disbursement, managed the Board of Directors, facilitated listening sessions, and coordinates community engagement efforts. Frank has worked in the nonprofit sector around the world for nearly ten years and is passionate about impacting change by fostering collaboration through community engagement. Her journey began as an undergraduate student at Warren Wilson College where she studied Post-Genocide Restoration in Rwanda and Human Rights in Nepal, Chile, and Jordan. Through these studies she learned the importance of helping individuals access basic needs. She served as a Peace Corps Health Volunteer in Nicaragua where she worked with a local nonprofit to educate women in rural areas to prevent sexual and domestic violence along with the spread of HIV. She returned to Western North Carolina to work at Pisgah Legal Services where she advocated for latnix victims of domestic violence through the court system. She transitioned onto the development team and was part of an annual campaign that raised nearly 1.4 million dollars. After calling Asheville, NC home for ten years she has started her journey as a graduate student at NYU Wagner studying public policy. Her love for WNC has stayed with her along with the passion of helping others. Frank is now a part of the Wanger Philanthropy Board.
Jiaqiang He
Jiaqiang is a second-year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Financial Management and Public Finance. He holds his BS in Assets Assessment and a minor in Law from Central University of Finance and Economics in China. Prior to NYU, he worked at private equity, audit & insurance, and investment banking firms. During the summer of 2021, he was an investment banking Summer Associate at China International Capital Corporation. Jiaqiang is currently a CFA Level II and CPA Candidate.
Hailey Hirano
Hailey is an undergraduate senior at NYU Stern, co-concentrating in Sustainable Business and Finance with a minor in Digital Art and Design. During the Summer of 2021, she was a consulting intern at Ogilvy with projects focused on the mobility and agricultural sectors. At NYU, Hailey plays for the Women’s Varsity Soccer team, and serves on the board for The Women’s Network. She plans to pursue a career that relates to her studies in sustainability within a creative field. Her interests include the fashion industry, intersectionality, and the power of brands
Sara Huncke
Sara Huncke was raised in Bronxville, NY and graduated from NYU Gallatin in 2016 concentrating in music business. After graduation, Sara worked in media & entertainment, primarily as a junior agent at a booking agency representing Grammy-award-winning clients. She's currently pursuing a specialization in finance at Stern and hopes to blend her studies with her passion for entertainment post-MBA.
Pedro Jardim
Pedro is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Strategy and Sustainable Business & Innovation. Prior to pursuing his MBA, Pedro worked at the Albright Stonebridge Group, a strategic advisory firm based in Washington, DC. At ASG, Pedro helped companies navigate political and regulatory issues in Latin America. During the summer of 2021, Pedro was a Summer Fellow at Microsoft, where he worked with the company’s newly created United Nations and International Organizations team. Pedro was born and raised in Brazil and earned his BA in Political Science from Tufts University.
Hasan Khan
Hasan is a second-year MPA student at NYU Wagner, specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment with the focus area of Social Enterprise. He is currently an Associate on the Digital team at the Rockefeller Foundation, where he coordinates editorial workflows and writes engagement materials for their global social and environmental impact initiatives. He also works part-time on programs at the e-learning and journalism nonprofit Out of Eden Walk. Hasan earned his B.A. at NYU in Global Liberal Studies, concentrating in Politics, Rights & Development, along with a minor in Business Studies.
Stephanie Li
Stephanie is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Finance, Strategy, and Fintech. Prior to Stern, Stephanie was a senior associate at JPMorgan, working on liquidity and funding strategies, managing new business initiatives, and maintaining relationships with regulators. During the summer of 2021, she was an investment banking Summer Associate in the Financial Institution Group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Stephanie holds a BS in Economics and Actuarial Science from Jilin University. She is also a CFA level III candidate.
Sindi Mafico
Marketing Officer
Sindi is an MPA candidate at NYU Wagner, specializing in Social Impact, Innovation and Investment. This past summer, she was selected for an internship with The Bassioni Group: A global consulting firm that delivers solutions for the public and private sector by driving economic growth. Sindi contributed to global business growth by connecting companies to new growth opportunities in emerging markets. Sindi is a Teacher’s Assistant for Public Policy at NYU Wagner where she is further developing her ability to foster public-private partnerships through examining the various roles stakeholders play in shaping policy outcomes. Sindi has lived in 5 countries and holds a B.A in Sociology from Skidmore College.
Rob Maiello
Rob Maiello is a second-year MBA student at Stern specializing in Strategy, Finance, and Sustainable Business & Innovation. Prior to Stern, Rob spent five years in an analytical role at Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, driving insights into strategic decisions within the firm through data visualization. He spent his summer as a consultant at EY-Parthenon, and also works on a start-up team developing a mobile application to socialize the TV viewing experience. Rob is interested in merging his financial background with a sustainable focus in an impact investing role. He holds a BSBA in Finance from the University of Miami.
Toufic Moukarzel
Toufic is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Finance and Sustainable Business. Prior to Stern, he worked as a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft and Robin Powered. In the summer of 2021, he was an investment banking Mergers & Acquisitions Summer Associate at DC Advisory. He earned his MEng and BS in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida. Toufic is originally from Beirut, Lebanon.
Zhenhua Peng
Zhenhua Peng is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern specializing in Finance, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship. Prior to Stern, he was vice general manager of the Investment Banking Division at Fudian Bank. He worked on high-profile debt financings and M&A transactions and led the structuring and capital raising of an infrastructure equity fund. During the summer 2021, Zhenhua worked as financial advisor in several renewable energy projects for a leading U.S. energy company. Zhenhua holds a BS in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Fudan University. He is also a CFA charter holder.
Daniel Prichard
Daniel is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern specializing in Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Finance. Prior to Stern, he spent five years working in wealth management at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, a top-ranked RIA firm in Los Angeles. At Kayne, Daniel partnered with the firm’s Managing Director to provide customized investment management and financial planning services to 200 clients with $1.6 billion in AUM. Over the summer, Daniel was an MBA Product Intern at Fiserv, working on the development and commercialization of alternative lending products. He holds a BA in Sociology with a minor in Economics from Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo.
Shriya Ravishankar
Financial Inclusion Deal Team Leader
Shriya is a second year MBA student at NYU Stern specializing in Quantitative Finance. Prior to Stern, she was an associate at an investment fund that invested in affordable housing projects in India. As one of the earliest members of the team, she worked across verticals, covering fundraising, investments, and asset management. In the summer of 2020, she was an investment banking summer associate at Evercore.
Shriya is a chartered accountant and started her career at EY India’s TMT Transfer Pricing practice. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Mumbai.
Tyler Rice
Tyler Rice is a second year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. He serves as the co-director for NYU’s Social Innovation Symposium (SIS). Prior to NYU, he worked as a healthcare technology consultant. Tyler now runs a small business development consultancy and serves as the Director of Development for the FoolProof Foundation – a financial literacy non-profit that promotes economic equity and inclusion in communities across the country. Tyler holds a B.A in Political Science from St. Olaf College and is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations reach their impact and development goal.
Adam Rosenbloom
Adam is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Finance, FinTech, and Management, and is Co-President of Stern’s Energy & Infrastructure Club. He is interested in sustainable finance, the renewable energy transition, and blockchain technologies. During the summer of 2021, Adam worked as a Summer Associate within the Global M&A team at Barclays Investment Bank. Before pursuing his MBA, he earned his CPA license, advising multinational companies as an economic and international tax consultant at Ernst & Young LLP. Adam previously graduated from Boston College with a BA in Economics and International Studies and a MS in Accounting.
Jenabu Simaha
Education Deal Team Leader
Jenabu Simaha is second-year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Social Innovation, Impact, and Investment. She is passionate about education equity, criminal justice reform and access to financial opportunities for disadvantaged communities. Prior to Wagner, Jenabu worked as a middle school teacher in a low-income community in the South Bronx. She has also interned for many non-profit organizations committed to providing access to higher educational opportunities for students in underserved communities. Jenabu holds a BA in History and Public Policy from NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Tara Mei Smith
Tara Mei Smith is a second-year MBA student at NYU Stern concentrating in Finance, Sustainable Business and Innovation, and Strategy. She spent the summer as an Investment Banking Summer Associate. Prior to Stern, she worked as a sustainability and innovation consultant for Field Guide. She is a co-founder and Executive Director of the environmental stewardship 501(c)(3) Extra Terrestrial Projects. She has been recognized as an Audubon Toyota TogetherGreen Conservation Innovation Leader, Next City Vanguard, and ASU Practices for Change Fellow for her work at the intersection of the environment, cities, and equitable development. Tara Mei holds a degree in Chemistry from Brown University and is a certified urban planner. She is also a SASB FSA II candidate.
Dan Steurer
Dan is a second-year MBA candidate at NYU Stern specializing in Finance and Sustainable Business & Innovation. Prior to Stern, Dan spent 6 years at ExxonMobil in various environmental, regulatory, and project management roles across sites in the USA, Guyana, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. This past Summer, he was an investment banking Summer Associate at Centerview Partners. Dan holds a Bachelor’s in Science and Engineering in Chemical & Biological Engineering from Princeton University. His primary interests are in the environmental and renewable energy sectors.
Queenie Tam
Queenie is a second year MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. Prior to that, she worked at a multinational chemical company BASF, first in product management and later as Staff to President of Asia Pacific. This past summer, Queenie became a Fellow at Cause Strategy Partners, a social enterprise that connects talented professionals to nonprofit board service opportunities, supporting its program evaluation and strategic partnerships. She holds a BEng in Chemical Engineering and a BBA in Business Management from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Nikhel Taurani
Health Deal Team Leader
Nikhel Taurani is an MPA student at NYU Wagner specializing in Health Policy and Management. Before joining Wagner, he worked as a management consultant for Vecta Strategy focusing on developing strategic solutions for public and private clients in the MENA region. Prior to Vecta, Nikhel worked in PwC and Roland Berger in their public sector practice where he assisted various public institutions in implementing their National Agendas. He earned his bachelor's in pharmaceutical sciences, and his clinical research was focused on drug development and delivery of anti-cancer medication.
Samuel Xia
Sam is a junior at NYU Stern concentrating in Finance and Accounting and pursuing a master’s in accounting. Sam has prior experiences interning with a renewable energy developer and an infrastructure company conducting financial analysis and operational cash flow management. Sam is passionate about the intersectionality between business and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly climate change and combatting racial injustice. Sam hopes to pursue a career in venture capital or investment banking, where he can play an integral role in allowing sustainably focused companies to grow and expand the scope of their mission statements.
Stella Yao
Stella is a second-year MPA student at Wagner specializing in Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment. She has a multidisciplinary and multicultural background. She is trained in finance, policy, and natural sciences. She also worked and volunteered in different countries, including China, Egypt, and Kenya. She is passionate about impact investing, ESG, climate change, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and animal welfare. During Summer 2020, she supported the launch of the first-of-its-kind nonprofit community health incubator. Stella graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Animal Sciences from Cornell University.
Carrie Zhang
Student Advisory Board President
Carrie Zhang is an MBA student at NYU Stern, specializing in Sustainability, Finance and Strategy. She was the first hire of her previous company in franchise finance and development, where she was mainly responsible for raising foreign direct investments and managing restaurant development, helping grow the organization to 200+ employees and 8 locations. The company had a focused on social entrepreneurship to facilitate immigration, job creation and youth empowerment. She also runs her own residential real estate portfolio in Detroit and worked as a graduate fellow for NYU Stern Venture Fellows. Carrie holds a B.S in Finance from Michigan State University.