Smith Saintil

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Husband of one, father of two. Love reading, cycling, and spending time with close ones.”

Hometown: Naples, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once fist-pounded Chris Rock while walking the streets of New York

Undergraduate School and Major: Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, Finance and Religion double major.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Dermaglove, Product Owner

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? Los Angeles attracts a diverse group of professionals, which speaks to the breadth of industries represented on the West Coast. This lends itself to an enriching classroom experience where I can broaden my perspective by learning from peers. When it’s time to step away from studies, there isn’t a shortage of experiences one can explore in Los Angeles, which offers many of the benefits of being in a big city and a coastal town. It’s also easy to escape the city life and find new adventures all within driving distance.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The opportunity to apply and join the Student Investment Fund (SIF) played a key role in why I chose the USC Marshall School of Business. SIF gives students a real-world opportunity to manage a portion of USC’s endowment fund under the guidance of industry professionals. I am confident that this experiential learning will deepen my investment knowledge, expand my network, and open doors for career opportunities.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? I’m excited to take Behavioral Finance with Professor David Hirshleifer, where I can learn how biases impact investment decisions and financial markets.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that USC Marshall was the right program for you? Why? Prior to officially joining the Trojan Family, I was welcomed with open arms by current students, alumni, and a professor who shared their experiences and insights with me. The conversations were authentic. I was inspired to join a community where I would be challenged to collaborate with others to chase ambitious goals. The feeling that I made the right choice was solidified during Admit Weekend, when I got to meet first-year students and future classmates. There was a genuine sense that I was joining a family that wanted to see me win.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: At BlackRock, energized by my passion to improve the financial well-being of others, I joined an employee resource group focused on financial education and empowerment. As a member of this group, I was a top contributor by creating financial education content to improve financial education for Atlanta residents through a partnership with a local non-profit. I researched best practices, facilitated meetings with experts, and coordinated legal agreements to launch a successful workshop series. Recognizing a need for personalized advice, I leveraged my network to connect the non-profit with the Financial Planning Association, integrating pro bono financial advice into future workshops. As a result of my efforts, the Executive Director of the non-profit personally thanked me for my contributions and effort. This was a proud moment because I was able to connect my passion with work and drive meaningful change.

What is your long-term career goal? My long-term goal is to be a Chief Investment Officer, leading a team of investment professionals to manage institutional funds. I’m driven by my enthusiasm for financial markets and investment strategy, and I believe that in this role, I can make the most significant impact on the financial well-being of others.

DON’T MISS: MEET USC MARSHALL’S MBA CLASS OF 2027

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