Saint Michael's College Student Investment Fund

All Friends and Family of the SIF: Join us April 3rd, 5-7 PM at Joe's on Newbury in Boston MA to welcome 16 bright students of the SIF! We will be in town touring alumni workplaces (huge thanks to our hosts!). Come meet us as we connect with fellow alumni and engage with prospective students & families. Refreshments served. Send us a message if you have any questions! Please use this link to sign up if you are a local alumni in the Finance/Investment industry to sign up: https://lnkd.in/gGQRM5gm

We are excited to share a brilliant opportunity to hear from Elaine Stokes, a seasoned investor and industry leader with nearly 40 years of experience in investment management! Elaine’s leadership at Loomis Sayles, where she oversees $389.3 billion in assets, gives her a unique perspective on navigating high-stakes financial environments. She will share actionable insights on breaking barriers, stepping outside comfort zones, and driving stronger business outcomes. In this Fire Side Chat with Margrethe and Emma, we’ll explore the challenges women continue to face in finance and leadership roles—an issue that remains relevant as progress continues but disparities persist. Conversations like these matter, not just for equity, but for unlocking the full potential of talent in finance. ?? Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 ?? Location: Roy Room (3rd floor of Dion) ? Time: 5:30 PM All students and community members are welcome! #WomenInFinance #Leadership #Mentorship #Finance #Networking

Featured in Saint Michael’s College Magazine! A huge thank you to Elizabeth Quam for conducting this interview and to Michelle Jordan and the Marketing team for bringing this story to life. Check out the PDF version of the spread below to learn more about how our team is gaining real-world investment experience and making an impact at Saint Mike's! Link to the Saint Michael's College magazine: https://lnkd.in/dk2c2Vwb

?? 2024: A WRAP ?? As we close out the year, we’re thrilled to reflect on an incredible journey for the Student Investment Fund (SIF) at Saint Michael’s College. What started as an ambitious idea last year—gaining momentum with support from the decision-makers at school —became a reality this fall, with SIF officially launching as an independent organization. ?? Our Year in Numbers and Achievements: * $50,000 in seed: Thanks to the trust of SMC’s Board of Trustees, we’re managing a real portfolio that mirrors professional investment practices. * 85+ Students Engaged: From our first meeting, which attracted over 45 attendees, to the over 85 members of our email list and Teams chat, SIF has sparked a vast interest on our small campus. * Diverse Portfolio: We have six sector groups in our portfolio, and so far, we have placed investments in Novo Nordisk (Healthcare), ON Semiconductor (Technology), JP Morgan (Financials), and Equinix (Real Estate). * Hands-On Learning: Weekly meetings covered everything from market updates and stock pitches to workshops on understanding financial analysis to LinkedIn profiles and resumes—practical skills that prepare us for life after graduation. * Speaker Series - a segment where we host investment professionals who share their insights with us— something we’re excited to continue and expand in the new year. ?? The Impact Beyond the Numbers SIF has become more than a club—it’s a cornerstone of applied learning at SMC and a fully student-driven initiative. No one asked us to do this; we built it ourselves. From creating our bylaws and investment process to bringing in alumni speakers and launching The Financial Knights newsletter, every part of SIF reflects student leadership and effort. This is where we apply classroom knowledge to the real world, gaining not just skills but also character. ?? Looking Ahead As we move into 2025, we’re excited to expand our reach, host more events, and connect students with real-world opportunities and alumni in the field. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our community—faculty, alumni, administrators, and of course, our passionate members. #StudentInvestmentFund #Finance #Investemnts #HigherEducation #LearningByDoing #SMCSIF

How can private capital combat climate change and accelerate solutions in emerging markets? ?? These were just a few of the big questions Amy Hepburn, CEO of the Investor Leadership Network (ILN), tackled during her visit to Saint Michael’s College. Amy sat down with our very own SIF Co-President Margrethe Fr?land in a fireside chat at the Institute for Global Engagement’s annual Global Issues Lecture. The ILN, a G7-born initiative, is a coalition of some of the biggest institutional investors representing over $12 trillion in assets under management. Amy’s expertise and candid discussion offered a broad range of insights for the next generation of change-makers and investors at Saint Michael's College. ?? Here are some key takeaways: ?? 1. Governments and NGOs alone cannot meet the scale of investment needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also need the private sector to drive the efforts to tackle climate change, advance diversity, and support infrastructure development globally. ???2. There is no path to global net-zero goals without significant investment in emerging markets. Amy talked about how ILN facilitates public-private partnerships to create and implement innovative financial structures. Such as working with the U.S. Treasury on things like first-loss guarantees, to de-risk EM investments. ??3. The “business case” for diversity: Diverse leadership teams drive better decision-making and financial outcomes. For companies to succeed in the "talent war," they need to create inclusive cultures, adding that attracting women to finance is a must. ??4. Challenges in Emerging Markets in addition to currency risk: * Perceived vs. Actual Risks: Lack of reliable data exacerbates perceived risks in emerging markets. * Need for Local Partners: Successful investments require on-the-ground expertise to navigate regulatory and operational hurdles. From working in refugee camps during the Balkan War to leading a global coalition of investors, Amy’s path reminds us of how valuable cross-sector experience can be. Her perspective especially resonated with many Saint Mike’s liberal arts students who are exploring ways to blend business, policy, and purpose. Amy also dropped some tough love advice: success often comes down to saying “yes” more than “no,” taking risks, and learning from failure. For students (and anyone, really), she emphasized the importance of putting yourself out there—even if it means falling flat a many, many times. A heartfelt thank you to Amy Hepburn for sharing her expertise and inspiration with our community!!

We’re thrilled to continue our Speaker Series! We had the honor of hosting Brian Langenfeld, Managing Counsel at MFS Investment Management, who offered us an insightful dive into the structure and strategy behind one of the oldest mutual fund firms in the U.S. Brian walked us through the workings of closed-end funds, ETFs, mutual funds, private/ hedge funds and their unique regulatory frameworks, giving us a practical glimpse into the intricacies of asset management and the vital role of legal perspectives. Beyond his technical insights, Brian shared his own journey—from law school to pursuing an MBA to better understand finance, and navigating a shifting regulatory landscape. His advice to approach investment with strategic thinking and an understanding of regulatory compliance left us inspired and equipped with a stronger grasp of the industry’s complexity. Thank you for speaking with us Brian!!

Be Part of The SMC Financial Knights – A Newsletter for Alumni of Finance! At Saint Michael’s College, our Student Investment Fund (SIF) is a unique space where students learn, invest, and connect with the real world of finance. We’re inviting you to join us as a valued part of this journey through our newsletter, The SMC Financial Knights. By simply sharing your email, you’ll receive updates on what we’re learning, the investments we’re making, and our upcoming events. Whether you’re interested in staying connected or possibly supporting us down the line, we’re truly grateful for any alumni willing to listen in, engage, or cheer us on. Every connection means a lot to us—and who knows, a simple click today could open doors for mentorship, collaboration, or just staying in the loop on the exciting steps we’re taking. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/edZcUw7y To learn more about the Student Investment Fund, feel free to check out our LinkedIn page or Instagram (@SMCSIF), or reach out to me or any of our executive board members. We’d be thrilled to welcome you to The SMC Financial Knights!

Last week, the SMC Student Investment Fund held their Executive Board meeting at VCET (Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies). We were treated to a presentation about their services, including their process for supporting entrepreneurs with funding and guidance, and a tour. Thanks to VCET (and Nicole Eaton!) for hosting and inviting our Purple Knight entrepreneurs and investors to join as student members. We look forward to working with you again soon!? ? Students who are interested in VCET can connect with SIF here (or instagram @smcsif) to chat about their experience or visit VCET's website for potential internship and job opportunities.

We have started our Speaker Series!? ? To start off, we had the pleasure of hosting Christian Gallagher, Class of 2022 and a longstanding supporter of SIF. Christian, who has been instrumental to our growth and serves on our Board of Advisors, shared his journey from being a student-athlete here at SMC, to an intern in Burlington, and how he went about the investment banking route, and finally with his current role at Raptor Group in Boston.? ? One of Christian's key messages that resonated with all of us was the value of curiosity. He encouraged us to actively consume information, be it industry news, books on leadership, or market trends. He also emphasized the importance of going beyond assigned tasks by taking the initiative to anticipate the next steps. This mindset of continuous learning and proactivity, he explained, is what will ultimately allow us to grow and stand out in the workplace.? ? Beyond his insights during the talk, Christian was a critical part of our summer efforts, helping us refine our investment strategy and providing guidance as we sharpened our stock pitch framework. We are incredibly fortunate to have him involved as both a mentor and Board of Advisors.? ? We can’t wait to welcome more experts in the coming months and continue growing the SIF network! ??

We are so proud of Margrethe Fr?land for her contributions to the Student Investment Fund! We are lucky to have a community here Saint Michael's College which supports students who come with passion, dedication and want to make things happen - here Maggie is a excellent example of what a student can make out of an college experience. From leading initiatives with the Student Investment Fund, to also advocating for mental health through Hope Happens Here Mental Health Awareness Foundation, while also excelling in skiing! Thank you for giving us a shoutout!