Participation in the OSIF program provides students with hands-on investment experience before entering into the workforce. Hear from select OSIF Alumni about their experiences with the fund and how it has prepared them for industry.
“This is a learning opportunity, make the most out of it and have fun while you’re at it.”
KATHERINE A. PORRAS – Investment Officer, Meyer Memorial Trust
“In the OSIF course you learn the communication skills you need when you put something together you have to learn to defend it.”
KARAN IRADDI – Financial Analyst, Google Play
“I feel like the best way you can learn is by being able to make those mistakes in the classroom. It’s an invaluable experience.”
ELIZABETH HARTMAN – Senior Analyst, Intel
“The biggest thing I got out of it is that you can go out and start your own investment firm.”
NATE BAIM – Investment Planner
“To be able to say I’ve been part of investment decisions in this way made a difference. I had someone tell me at my job, don’t discount that
JACKSON LEWIS – Investment Analyst, Columbia Trust
SPRING 2022
MANUEL CÁRDENAS
I am a second year MBA-P student at Willamette University. I currently work for Salem Health as the Web/Graphic Designer in Marketing. I have a bachelor’s degree in science. I am looking to gain more understanding about investing decisions, portfolio management and what to look for in the market related to investments. In my free time I enjoy making art, exploring different parts of Oregon and spending time with my family.
BRYAN GASSNER
I am a first-year MBA-P student at Willamette University. I co-founded an online tech/education startup in 2008 and it still thrives today. I really look forward to making an impact on the fund to ensure its continued success.
KSENIA MOLODIH
Willamette University is where I am completing my first year as an MBA-P candidate at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. My bachelor’s degree is from George Fox University in Management and Organizational Leadership with a minor in Healthcare Administration. My background is in agricultural management with a changing labor force. I have enjoyed learning about the influences of recession and inflation.
OCA PATRIARCA
I am currently completing my first year MBA-P course at Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Finance and investments are some of the courses I am passionate about and I can utilize my information technology experience in database management to do research and analysis.
SPENCER RUTZ
I am a first year MBA-P student and work as a corporate accounting manager for PacifiCorp. I have an interest in investing and joined this class to learn more about investment strategies, portfolio management, financial analysis, and markets.
ALEJANDRO M. SALAZAR
I am a second-year MBA-P student and hold a B.A. in political science from the University of Oregon. I have a passion for the intersection of business and politics, predominantly in how financial literacy influences decision making on the individual level. In addition to school, I work as the assistant director of recruitment for Willamette University’s MBA-P program. I enjoy reading non-fiction, stand-up comedy, and all things cinema.
TYLER VANDEMARK
I graduated from Willamette in 2021 with a BS in Environmental Science and competed in 5 years of collegiate baseball. I am going into my second year of the MBA program. I plan to focus on Finance or Operations. I joined this class to learn more about this market during these unique economic times and gain great experience from the instructors.
JEFF SHAW
I I am a first year MBA-P student at Willamette University and hold a BS in Operations Management from the Oregon Institute of Technology. My professional experience is in engineering and management across aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor manufacturing industries. I began retail investing two years ago and look forward to enhancing my skills for market decisions this Summer. The O’Neill Investment fund is a fantastic opportunity for applied learning, and I am excited about making an impact on the return in scholarship dollars to Willamette students. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors and planning for our new house that is scheduled for completion this fall.
Fall 2021
VIKTOR BESTLE
I am a second year MBA student, exchanging from Copenhagen Business School in Denmark. I studied Business Administration and IT for my bachelor’s degree. I am now majoring in Finance and Accounting and taking mostly investment and entrepreneurial classes for this semester. I am hoping the O’Neill Student Investment Fund class, will help me decide whether investments as a career is appealing to me.
MILES BRYANT
I am a second-year 3/2 MBA student concentrating in finance. I graduated from Willamette University with a BA in Economics and have worked at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch for the previous two summers. I joined the OSIF course because I enjoy the world of investing and portfolio management. Additionally, I want to deepen my knowledge about the markets and how economic conditions are having an effect.
JOEY FAUDSKAR
I graduated from Willamette in 2020 with a BA in Exercise Health and Science and competed in 4 years of collegiate baseball. I am currently a second-year MBA student. I have experience in business development, finance, and operations. I plan to focus on Finance or operations. I joined this class to improve my knowledge of investing.
LAURYN KELLER
Hello! I am a 3-2 student intending to concentrate in finance/investing. I am eager to explore personal finance, portfolio management, and entrepreneurship opportunities. I plan to open a wine tasting/event center on my family’s property in the Eola Amity Hills post-graduation. I enjoy wine tasting, riding bikes with my son, and raising a flock of chickens!
CARTER MCENTEE
I’m a second-year Willamette M.B.A. candidate. I have a B.A. in business and marketing from B.Y.U. Hawaii. I own and manage a restaurant that I started in 2021. I’m looking for more opportunities to invest, create, and grow.
FRANK PERRY
I am a second year MBA student looking for a concentration in Finance and Marketing, I have a BA in Marketing with a minor in audio production. While completing my Marketing degree, I found a lot of interest in blockchain technology, global stock markets and the world of investments. I’ve come to appreciate the emotions and economics behind investing – hoping to make a great impact on the team and fund!
VIDHU RAJ
I am a 3-2 MBA student with a concentration in Finance. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Willamette which has given me a great understanding of micro and macro economics. Member of the Willamette Men’s Soccer team for 4 years. I am eager to pursue a career in the investment world.
VINCENT RUGGIO
I am a second year MBA student at Willamette University in Salem, OR. I received my BA in philosophy from Willamette and now in my MBA I am focusing on finance, particularly investment, but I also have interests in entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, and public policy. In my spare time I enjoy reading philosophy, drawing, and playing the piano.
ALEXANDER WEIRAUCH
I am a second-year MBA student at AGSM, currently running marketing agency “Venice Solutions”. Having graduated from CSU Channel Islands with a degree in Business as a German native, I have multi-year work and investment experience across two continents. Making strategic decisions for the O’Neill Investment fund allows me to further sharpen my knowledge about making market decisions, as well as continuing to expand its scholarship offerings to Willamette Students.
Summer 2021
ABOUBACARR ADEMBA
I am from the Gambia. I am a second-year, early career MBA candidate at Willamette University. I have a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Oregon. I am enjoying and learning a whole lot from our OSIF course and have a newfound respect and intrigue for the world of stock trading and investment.
RYAN M. BELCHER
I am a first year MBA-P student. I have a Social Security disability practice in Salem, Oregon. I am exploring opportunities in investing, personal finance, and entrepreneurship.
ELIZABETH S. GAMBEE
I am a second-year 3-2 MBA student looking to concentrate in Global Management and Finance. Currently, I have a BA in Economics with a Japanese language concentration. Upon completing my Economics degree, I became interested in learning more about how domestic and global stock markets react to different economic conditions – making the opportunity with OSIF a great fit!
ALEKSEY KUCHUHURNYY
I am a second-year MBA student at Willamette. I also have a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Joined this class to learn about Investment strategies.
BRIAN SEKAFETZ
I am a current MBA-P candidate at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management with professional background in business valuation, equity capital markets, and FP&A. I have a bachelor’s degree in finance from Portland State University, where I tutored 300-500 level finance and participated on the school’s 2017 CFA Global Investment Research Challenge team. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, building Lego creations with my daughter, and volunteering for non-profit organizations focused on childrens’ welfare.
JOSEPH SPONSLER
I am currently a second year professional MBA candidate, with 8 years experience in industrial sales. I graduated from University of Oregon in 2012 with a BS in Psychology and Human Physiology. I have been an active retail investor for the past 5 years, and enjoy learning more and more each day about portfolio management.
ZACKARY YENSEN
I am currently in my second year of the executive-MBA program. In addition to school, I also work at Adidas as a non-trade procurement manager focusing on our marketing spend. My goal with the MBA is to continue to find new and innovative ways to help drive business ventures forward.
CAINE FARMER
I am currently a second year MBA candidate looking to focus in finance. I recently graduated from Willamette University with a BA in Economics. I am eager to finish up my last year in the business school to pursue a career in the investment world.
BRONSON KIRCHICK
I am a 3-2 MBA student focused in marketing and operations. My summer internship included multiple projects within the largest financial services marketing company in North America. The internship, as well as working with OSIF, peaked my interest in the field of investments, and I am eager to increase my exposure!
ALI KOSTELECKY
Hi! I’m a first generation student from the small town of Kodiak, Alaska. As a 3-2 student, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Willamette and am concentrating in HR in the MBA program. I’m a small-town girl looking to learn and grow so I can better myself, and my community.
PETER LI
I’m a second year MBA student with experience in marketing communications, and a humble curiosity in the world of personal finance and portfolio management. I have a BA in Economics and I’m from Chino, CA.
CHARLIE PHOCAS
Second Year MBA candidate, concentrating in corporate finance. From Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Quote to live by: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”- Admiral Farragut
MAKO K. USHIJIMA
Aloha, I’m from Honolulu, Hawai’i. I graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute ’16 and Willamette University in the class of 2020 with a degree in economics. I currently attend the Atkinson Graduate School of Management to pursue my MBA with a focus on finance and operations.
QUAN TRAN
I am a second year student at the MBA program with a primary focus in finance. I have always been interested in investing personally, so I decided to join the OSIF team to get some low-risk exposure.
TIMOTHY WAGNER
I am currently in my second year of my MBA concentrating in finance/investments. During my undergrad I studied economics and gathered a strong understanding of macro and micro economies. I am currently working as a business analyst at a mortgage start up company, but would like to shift my focus and explore opportunities more related to investments.
BEN WHITTEN
Graduated from Willamette in 2020 with a BA in Economics. Interned with Colliers International and UBS. Member of the Willamette baseball team and 4 time Scholar Athlete. Interested in Finance, Data, and Marketing.
ELIZABETH HARTMAN
Intel Corporation
DYLAN BASTVED
Accenture
CARLOTTA ALVERSON
SAIF Corporation
DAVID WARTENBERG
Intel Corporation
HESHAM ALKHORAYEF
Alinma Investment
ABDULLAH ALTHAMIR
Al Fozan Holding
HEBA SALEH
G4S
SANTIAGO NIETO
JLL Capital Markets
ROBERT HUSSEMAN
Nike
HOSSAIN QORBANI
Northern Health
SPENCER KAREL
Spencer Karel Law
NOWSHIN AHMED
Interstellar Cultural Communication
NATHAN FOOS
Keiretsu Capital
MADDI BARNETT
Tektronix
SARA GOETZE
United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley
SPENCER HONG
TIBCO
JACOB KOEN
Rockefeller Capital Management
MATT BILLINGSLEY-PEELER
John Burns Real Estate Consulting
MOHAMMED ABUKHALED
Al-Imam Muhammed Ibn Saud Islamic University
IRINA GER
Deutsche Bank
NATASHA TORRES
3M
KARAN IRADDI
Google
KATHERINE PORRAS
Meyer Memorial Trust
FATEN ALOTAIBI
King Saud University
COLLIN FULLER
Daimler Trucks North America
J CONNER MALONEY
Fisher Investments
MOHAMMED ALJAWAD
Bupa Arabia
NAVNEET BRAR
AG Consulting Partners
JORDAN JENKINS
Variant Investments
HENRY MONTOYA
Intel Corporation
BRENT HAMMACK
Gary M. Bullock & Associates
NATE BAIM
Pursuit Planning and Investments
MAZEN ALALI
SABB
GOWTHAM S.
Vanguard Charitable
DRITON PUSTINA
European Union
KARA SMITH
Northwestern Mutual
MAJLINDA RUHANI
VentureUP
JOHNATHAN SCHMIERER
Mass General Hospital
CODY SMITH
Arbor Builders
DINA RUGOVA
British Columbia Utilities Commission
EDON YMERI
Pristine Tech
ALLEN XIAO
Aviva Investors
LLOYD FOBI
Salem Health
RYAN STEFFNER
Golden Leaf Holdings
MATT STEINDORF
Intel Corporation
ALEXANDER SWERZBIN
PNGC Power
CHUONG (JACK) PHAM
Bank of America – Merrill Lynch
KHALED ALSULTAN
Saudi Investment Recycling Company
KHALID ALQUSMUL
Saudi Payments
RABIYA ABDUL
Amplio Network
ABDULRAHMAN ALBEDEIWY
Al Rajhi Bank
SIWATCHARA SUKAEW
Charoen Pokphand Foods Company
JENNY LINH MAI
Bitexco Group of Companies
Alumni of the O’Neill Student Investment Fund are encouraged to join the OSIF Alumni group on LinkedIn to stay connected with the program.