KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 15, 2018 – It’s time to go from business casual to business formal. The College of Business’ popular Annual Career Day is Oct. 19, and students will get a chance to don their best and learn ways to chart their future success from alumni who are leaders in their fields.
Nearly 50 University of Rhode Island business alumni will return to the Kingston Campus for the 13th annual event, sharing insights on careers, the current employment climate and hiring tips with nearly 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Business. The day features a keynote address, panels on such topics as industry developments and job-search skills, along with providing students a chance to network with leaders from an array of industries.
Margo Cook ’86, president of advisory services at Chicago-based Nuveen, a subsidiary of the Fortune 100 firm TIAA, will be the keynote speaker. TIAA, one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial services organizations, has more than $1 trillion in managed assets, serving more than 15 million individuals and 16,000 institutions.
Cook will be interviewed by Donna Delgado ’05, a certified financial planner with AXA Advisors, in a “fireside chat” setting in Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 8.
Cook, a chartered financial analyst, leads Nuveen’s global client organization, overseeing product, marketing and distribution. She was co-president of Nuveen Investments prior to its acquisition by TIAA in 2014. Before joining Nuveen, Cook held senior investment leadership roles at Bear Stearns Asset Management and BNY Mellon.
Cook, who graduated from URI with a degree in finance in 1986, has continued her strong ties to the University over the years. She is vice chair of the URI Foundation Board of Directors and the Investment Committee, along with being a trustee of the Foundation. Cook also is a longtime donor, supporting URI athletics, student experiential learning and other URI priorities.
“Margo has had a successful career in the financial industry,” said Dean Maling Ebrahimpour. “She was selected as the keynote speaker because of her engagement with the University and she serves as a great example for current students. Her advocacy for women in finance is inspirational. In addition to her career success, she is a dedicated volunteer with the University.”
Morning breakout sessions in Ballentine Hall, which are geared to College of Business juniors and seniors, include career-focused industry panels and workshops on career-building skills.
Lunch will feature four alumni speakers: Alex Couture ’95, head of technical infrastructure at Google, speaking on “Operation at Scale”; Jill Cohen ’98, managing director at Pinnacle Trust Partners, on “Women of Wall Street”; Chris Wolfe ’74, chief investment officer at First Republic Private Wealth Management, on “An Imperfect Career Path”; and Keith Moore ’74, Ph.D. ‘04, event-driven strategist at FBN Securities, on “Investment Business.”
Afternoon sessions, geared toward first-year students and sophomores, include discussion on career paths in each of the College of Business’ majors, and a panel on topics such as resume building, internships and studying abroad. During the afternoon sessions, students can have a professional portrait taken for their LinkedIn profile and take part in a mock interview. Both events will be in the Memorial Union.
The URI College of Business has served as a leader in business education, research, and outreach in Rhode Island since it was founded in 1923. It was the first accredited business school in Rhode Island, and is the only one in the state with accredited programs at the undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels.
COB undergraduates may major in accounting, finance, general business, global business, innovation and entrepreneurship, management, marketing, supply chain management, textile marketing and textiles, fashion merchandising and design. Graduate students may seek an MBA in strategic innovation; general business; or a master of science in accounting, finance, textiles, fashion merchandising and design, labor relations and human resources; or a Ph.D. in Business Administration.