Finance Hokies & Advisory Board Members Gather in NYC for Annual Spring Meeting and Hokies on Wall Street

On April 7, 2022, members of the Finance Advisory Board and Hokies alike were able to reunite, after a long-awaited 3-year gap due to Covid, for the department's annual Spring Finance Advisory Board meeting, followed by the Hokies on Wall Street reception. Although the absence of these physical events would feel like a lifetime apart, it seems only fitting that this momentous reunion would take place as the University celebrates its sesquicentennial and 100 years of Women at Virginia Tech.

The Finance Advisory Board Meeting took place at the Wells Fargo Building located at 150 E 42nd St, NY, consisting of faculty and staff of the Finance Department, its advisory board members, plus other VT alumni and representatives. Its goals were to discuss relevant matters associated with the department, Pamplin College of Business, and the Virginia Tech Foundation. During the meeting, memorable moments happened where Dean Sumichrast received recognition for his upcoming retirement, exceptional leadership, and many achievements. Meeting attendees were also indulged by a young VT Alumni panel discussing their success stories and sharing their advice for upcoming graduates. The event has been declared a roaring success, with special recognition for Finance Advisory Board member Kelly Pickerel, who works at Wells Fargo Bank as a Lead Strategy and Planning Consultant and graciously was able to sponsor this meeting. 

Highlights for this event included:

• An insightful presentation on University Admissions by Juan Espinoza, Director of Admissions;
• Future projections and anticipated changes at the VT Foundation by Justice Elizabeth McClanahan, VTF CEO.  
• Pamplin Highlights by Dean Sumichrast
• Department News and Advances by Dr. Vijay Singal
• Recognition of Dean Sumichrast's contributions to the college/university by -- President Tim Sands, Chair of the Board Mike Clarke, and many board members including Michael Aldrich, Greg Carter, Nick Cullen, Kyle Korte, Mike Kosciusko, Kelly Pickerel, Brian Sullivan, Scott Wolle, and others.
• Presenting Dean Sumichrast with an engraved Grand Piano style desk clock on behalf of the Finance department and Finance alumni, including a poster highlighting Pamplin's achievements under his leadership.
• Young alumni panel discussing their success stories and how current and future graduates can also be successful.

Once the meeting concluded, attendees walked to 360 Madison Ave, NY, for the Hokies on Wall Street Reunion. Attendees were first surprised by a special recognition made by Finance Advisory Board member Brian Sullivan, on CNBC for Hokies on Wall Street and once again recognizing Dean Sumichrast’s retirement (which was prominently displayed on the Nasdaq site in Times Square in New York). As the evening progressed into its program, attendees got to hear a powerful 100 Years of Women at VT Panel featuring women in Finance - Sharon Brown-Hruska, Cara Spicer, Sophie Dewaal, Dana Hummel, and Suzanne Cutler. Following the Women's Panel, attendees once again gathered in the reception areas to reconnect with their peers and like-minded individuals passionate about the Finance industry. As the celebratory evening closed out, it was obvious to the many Hokies in attendance how eager they were for this reunion and how much they look forward to the reunion in 2023. 

Finance Advisory Board Young VT Alumni Panelists

Hokies on Wall Street - 100 Years of Women at VT Panelists