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Meet Alumna Nacie Pereira ’07, Director of Talent Development, Rue Gilt Groupe

Name: Nacie Pereira

Class Year: 2007

Title: Director of Talent Development

Organization Name: Rue Gilt Groupe

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My job focuses on developing the skills, behaviors, and leadership qualities that Associates, Managers, and Directors at my company need to make the business successful AND enjoy satisfying careers.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

I wouldn’t say I have a particular industry that I serve, I would say that I have an industry-agnostic skill set. Learning and Development, Talent, and Coaching are industry agnostic in terms of their best practices in many ways. I got into my area of work because of my first job after HC. I was a History major and didn’t know what I wanted to do after school. I took the highest-paying job I could find, which was in financial software, and realized quickly that it didn’t align with who I was and how I wanted to contribute. At HC, there is such a wonderful emphasis on contributing to the world and serving others, and being in the wrong role helped me realize the way I want to contribute and serve is through walking alongside and supporting others on their career journeys – being in the wrong job inspired me to help others grow and ensure they were in the right jobs for them! I found coaching almost by accident and have been in love with that work, and all development work, ever since.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was an RA in Healy for 3 years (my senior year I was the HRA). I was also involved in the Light Opera Company (long defunct, I think!).

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was a History major and I loved it. The History Department at Holy Cross is my happy place. It impacted my career decisions by encouraging me to think big picture, to synthesize information, see themes, and make connections that might not be readily obvious. All important qualities in a coach!

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Asking questions with genuine curiosity and bringing a service orientation to everything I do. The Jesuit philosophy of being an engaged, serving member of your community has helped me approach my work with warmth, helpfulness, and enthusiasm.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Allow yourself to slow down in the experience of being at HC; at times, college can feel like a vehicle taking you to whatever is next in your life. But HC is a truly special place that allows you to explore and develop your whole self, not just as a student but as a human in the world. Embrace that, and give yourself permission to go slow enough to savor as much as you can.
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Meet Alumna Sarah Palmieri ’08, Sr. Advisor, Federal Program Manager at Dell Technologies

Name: Sarah (Tagg) Palmieri

Class Year: 2008

Title: Sr. Advisor, Federal Program Manager

Organization Name: Dell Technologies

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

As a Federal Program Manager, I lead programs supporting the Federal Services business at Dell – primarily focused on enabling our Services Sales and Online portfolios.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated. I had majored in English because I enjoyed that subject, not because I had a particular career path in mind. I applied to various jobs during my senior year through the Career Planning Center and ended up accepting a Sales position at a publishing company. I knew Sales was not what I wanted to do long-term, but it was a way to get my foot in the door and gain some experience. I spent 5 years at that company, making a couple lateral moves until I found the area I was interested in – project management. At this point, I also realized I was more interested in the tech industry than publishing. So, I left for a position as a project manager for a website translation company. I stayed there for a year and a half and eventually ended up at EMC Corporation, which was later acquired by Dell. I have been at Dell for about 8 years now and am very happy in my current role.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Summer Internship Program, SPUD, Women in Business

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was an English major with a minor in Philosophy.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Critical thinking is fundamental to my role as a Program Manager. I need to be comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities every day. I use my best judgment to make decisions on my programs to have a positive impact on the business. Communication and interpersonal skills are also key to success as a Program Manager.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Take advantage of the Holy Cross network and the Career Planning Center. Attend as many career events as you can – you may learn about career paths you never knew existed. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do upon graduating, that is OK! Find an area that aligns with your interests and get some experience. You can always try something new if it doesn’t work out.
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Meet Alumna Carolyn Dunderdale ’22, Clinical Research Coordinator

Name: Carolyn Dunderdale

Class Year: 2022

Title: Clinical Research Coordinator

Organization Name: Massachusetts General Hospital

 

 1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I manage all the daily activities, like meeting with patients and handling data, for research investigating heart disease in people living with HIV.

  

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

The alumni networking nights showed me how many recent graduates found success in gap-year research, especially at Mass General Hospital. I individually spoke with these alumni, and what they gained from their research years was the same as what I was looking to accomplish.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Although my favorite group was SPUD, I also was part of the American Medical Student Association, Biology Student Advisory Committee, and XCHROM.

 

 4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was a Biology major, and class laboratory work showed me the importance of research in becoming a better physician-scientist. Last year in lab, I got to work with the same virus that effects the patients I see today.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

How to listen thoughtfully to others, so I can better respond to their needs. If you want to understand someone, first truly listen to them.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Balance your life! The best way to stay motivated for studying is knowing you have something fun planned with your friends after.
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Meet Alumna Madison Brenchak ’22, Private Banking Analyst at JPMorgan

Name: Madison Brenchak

Class Year: 2022

Title: Private Banking Analyst

Organization Name: JPMorgan

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My job is client facing, which involves creating decks and pitchbooks, executing trades, and proposing investment ideas all to help individuals and families plan their wealth to achieve their goals.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

 Planned events that helped me include: Finance Club and HCSIF, especially Finance Bootcamp with visit to NYC and touring firms, active networking, and attending workshops at HC.

Unplanned events that helped me include: Attending JPMorgan’s women’s initiative event for students, which led to early round interviews.

I knew it was a great fit at Finance Bootcamp when we visited JPM Private Bank my sophomore year. The floor we visited and met alumni on as a group, is in fact the exact floor I work on now!

I made the most of my summer internship which really helped me decide it was a great fit! After the initial learning curve and adjustments, I felt I enjoyed the work I was producing and that was affirmative in my decision to accept the full time offer.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved in HCSIF, Finance Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters (SPUD), Spring Break Immersion, Society of St. Peter and Paul, alter serving, and the Pre-Business Program.

I worked in Campion in the chaplain’s office at the front desk!

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I majored in Economics, which helped me develop perspective on the world and markets that provided a great foundation for pursuing Finance. However, I felt behind with my investment knowledge.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Connecting with people: putting myself out there, networking, and interacting with lots of different people helped me develop speaking skills that are extremely helpful at work. Whether talking to a client on the phone, or presenting my thoughts on the market to my boss, it is helpful to be able to speak and hold conversations with different people.

Independence: learning to schedule my day to be most productive helps me be efficient and multi-task at work. You have to be the one responsible with follow ups and communicating with various people on a multitude of tasks. You need to prioritize by urgency and complexity which can be a challenge.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Do not delay in networking or simply put minimal effort to “check it off the box.”

If you don’t leave a coffee chat or phone call with an action item, it is a waste of everyone’s time. Be intentional about your questions and be enthusiastic. Make sure to keep up consistent dialogue with alumni, don’t just reach out once.

It is all very overwhelming, so take it one step at a time. Always know there are upperclassmen and young grads who have just been in your shoes and are happy to help!
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Meet Alumna Sarah Kane ’16, Regional Director of Content at Arcis

Name: Sarah Kane

Class Year: 2016

Title: Regional Director of Content

Organization Name: Arcis

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I manage the social media, website, branding, PR, and event coordination for 15 Golf Courses in Arizona (9 Public Courses and 6 Private).

 

2. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I participated on the Women’s Softball team for all 4 years. I was the Captain my last two years. I was also a Member of the Janssen Leadership Academy. I was the Co-Chair of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

3. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I majored in art and education. When I graduated from college, I was substitute teaching and I also had a job as a Receptionist at a high-end Jacksonville rooftop club in Jacksonville, FL (my hometown I networked with quite a few people here and landed a couple more jobs in the hospitality industry, which really let me take my creative personality to the next level. While I’m not working in an actual Art Museum or have my own Art Studio, I am still working in programs like Photoshop and Premiere Pro where I am able to edit photography and videos, expressing my creative outlet. I also feel that a successful Social Media page requires artistic intention with the correct staging of photos, and clever/creative captions to match.

 

4. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

I feel like I have become just a better human in general, and I feel like I have gotten to where I am today from what the Holy Cross community and standards preached. When people ask me about my college experience, I always tell them, “it was the best decision I ever made.” And I truly believe that. My teammates, friends, professors, and everyone in between were incredible mentors and motivators in my life and I think back and reflect on that often.

 

5. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

 Two things. One: Be kind. This goes such a long way. If you’re not a master at something but you’re kind, people are going to want to help you. Also, in the world we live in today, it’s so important to say hi to a stranger or express a compliment that you’re feeling. I feel like there is a lot of pressure on a lot of people, and that probably stems from after-effects of Covid, but kindness never harms anyone. The second: don’t be afraid to be still.  We move so fast in the world today. It’s a very competitive world, and also a very fast-paced world, where I find that people struggle with patience. When you’re in line at the grocery store and the person in front of you is taking a long time, be still. When you’re driving, don’t be in such a hurry. You’ll get there at nearly the same time anyways. When you feel like you have to run a million errands on the weekend, take your time. Life goes by way too fast to not appreciate the small stuff. Tough times always pass. Have an open mind and only look towards the future.
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Meet Alumna Cynthia White ’95, President at Ceatro Group

Name: Cynthia White

Class Year: 1995

Title: President

Organization Name: Ceatro Group

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Founding, managing, and growing a consulting and research firm that helps organizations design better experiences and deliver more and different value to the humans that matter to them – customers, employees, suppliers, etc.
 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

Immediately after Holy Cross, I was a Fulbright Scholar in Ghana, West Africa – which was amazing. When I hit the job market a year later, it was a recruiting firm who introduced me to the idea of going into business at an intellectual technology company that was looking for unique candidates.

Add in a very helpful Holy Cross alum in that company’s HR department, and I felt right at home. The culture and purpose at that company helped me see that I could find a fit for many of my interests and talents in the business world. I hadn’t thought of business as an avenue I would consider until then.

 

3. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

Studio Art and Sociology/Anthropology with a focus on African Studies. My work at Holy Cross – academically, socially, and in partnership with professors – helped me created a solid platform from which I can choose my own adventure. The  combination of my undergrade studies and experiences, a master’s in foreign policy and conflict resolution, the job, career, and life choices I’ve made, and opportunities earned and given have created a very exciting path. So far. I’m not done and I’m excited to see what comes next.

 

4. What were you involved with on campus?

Going to class. Studying. Creating art in the art studio. Work study in Kimball and the photo studio. Time with friends. Getting to know professors. Sleeping. Exercising. Eating. Studying abroad. The unground pro-choice group. Student government. Curating art shows. Advocacy groups. Big Brothers/Big Sisters. 

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Curiosity and an interest in working with people.

Holy Cross allowed me to ask all and any question in as many topics as I could handle, and learn how to find answers or pathways to answers. This is the foundation of my career pursuits. Next, my job is about people –  interacting, listening, hearing, communicating, influencing, coaching, partnering, teaching, understanding, researching, analyzing. All the opportunities I had at Holy Cross – in the classroom, in my work study jobs, running clubs, speaking in public, negotiating with roommates, dealing with challenges with friends, navigating course scheduling, studying abroad, etc. helped build these interests and abilities

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Focus on building you, not your resume

Be open to what may come, now and in the future

Be honest with yourself about what you need and want, and also about what you don’t yet know that you need or want.
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Meet Alumna Meghan Shaffer ’20, Associate for Executive Storytelling

 

Name: Meghan Shaffer

Class Year: 2020

Title: Associate for Executive Storytelling

Organization Name: Manhattan Strategies

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Manhattan Strategies is a leading independent consulting firm for the world’s leading and emerging brands and voices, and I lead out social media and communications consultation and strategy for a group of executives at a Fortune 100 tech company that specializes in the future of work and sustainability innovation.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

My first job after Holy Cross was doing marketing content and strategy at an interior design firm in New York City. The job involved a lot of content creation and networking, something the Holy Cross Career Center prepared me well for. Although that job wasn’t the best fit for me, it gave me valuable experience that was an important part of my path to my current job. The agency side that I work on now is very collaborative, which reminds me a lot of my experience at Holy Cross. I work with a small, incredibly talented team who are constantly challenging and supporting me, championing the unique skills I bring to the table and inspiring me to improve wherever I can. It reminds me a lot of the small class experience at Holy Cross, where we were always encouraged to consider the different perspectives of everyone in the room and come together to find solutions.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was a stage manager for the theatre department and ACT, and worked backstage or in the booth for a lot of the shows during my time on campus. I was also a Features editor for The Spire, worked as a study abroad ambassador after studying abroad in Galway, Ireland my junior year, and performed in the Vagina Monologues my senior year.

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was a double major in English and history. Most of my day is spent writing in various formats, everything from social media posts to longer thought leadership articles to strategy decks, so I feel like I truly use my English major everyday. I always wanted to pursue a career where I would be able to write and be creative, and I’m grateful to have found a job in an industry that I was less familiar with (tech) where I felt I could bring a lot of value as a strong writer. I picked up a history major in college because I was passionate about it, but I learned incredibly strong research skills that I use often as I learn about new innovations in my industry and look for creative storytelling opportunities.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

First and foremost, I received a stellar education in English and language that I use everyday as a writer. But besides that, I always saw Holy Cross as a place that gives you back as much as you take, which challenged me to take initiative and seek out the things I was interested in and wanted. I try to keep that mindset at work and be proactive in my problem solving and take initiative to grow as a professional. Every professor at Holy Cross encouraged thoughtful questioning, which is a great tool for anyone just starting out in their career. I don’t stress over not knowing the answer 100% of the time, because I know that I have the tools to find the answer.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Get involved with what you’re passionate about, and if you can’t find it on campus, find it somewhere else. Holy Cross has so many great opportunities and connections, both on campus and off. Take advantage of them while you can!
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Meet Alum Declan Foley ’15, High School Counselor, St. John’s Preparatory School

Name: Declan Foley

Class Year: 2015

Title: High School Counselor; Track and Rugby Coach

Organization Name: St. John’s Preparatory School (Danvers, MA)

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I support students both with navigating their adolescent worlds and realizing growth by intentionally getting to know the individual over four years across life-related, academic, and college application domains.

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

After senior year of Holy Cross, I attended Boston College for two years of grad school, and through networking found my first counseling job which I did for one year before going to my current position (also counseling). It was one flavor of personal relationship that got me in the door to education (something I never thought I’d do), and it was realizing that I loved fostering intentional relationships that have since kept me there. Though I knew I wanted to generally go into something psych-related, I didn’t know what, certainly not education, and it was the first year of work where I 1) learned an incredible amount and 2) realized this was one way of fulfilling the insatiable feeling of ‘wanting to serve others.’

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Many good things with even better people! I spent a good amount of time in SPUD, ending my HC tenure as a SPUD Intern with Marty Kelly’s guidance. I was on the SGA Senate, played rugby my freshman year, conducted psychology research with Prof. Richard Schmidt, and was the Alpha Sigma Nu President among other things. That said, I treasure most the moments spent with my friends, from Cool Beans coffee trips to the average night’s hang in Carlin 216.

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

Knowing I wanted to ‘help people’ (like so many of us!), but not really knowing how to aim toward that end, I ended up being a double major in Psychology and Sociology. This was, in my mind, the perfect complimentary conversation between two disciplines that interrogate the human experience in ostensibly different ways. Emerging from HC, I knew I wanted to commit to grad school to focus this interest, but what actually informed my career decision the most was retroactively looking back on what kind of involvement fulfilled me over my time at HC (i.e – mentoring experiences), and finding a position that centered on the ability to be in right relationship with others.

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

It may sound corny, but the Liberal Arts knack for encouraging thought from diverse perspectives, as well as the emphasis on what you should give attention to stands out when I need to address a novel situation that requires quickly and succinctly coming to a conclusion involving many stakeholders. Additionally, the Jesuit concept of presupposition – where you assume the very best and most charitable interpretation of someone’s message / perspective – affords the ability to remain patient, humble, and understanding of others’ opinions in efforts to find a compromise, critical in counseling.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

When it comes to career discernment, it’s a simultaneously simple and yet wildly complicated Jesuit concept: find what you are good at, what brings you joy or fulfillment, and consider how you can serve the world with this joy. Honestly, even more important in the short-term, when it comes to life on the Hill, make the most of spending time with the people you love and care about and don’t ever let that fall to the wayside, because it’s those memories that are the ones you’ll cherish and remember when you come home from that fulfilling job, looking for energy.
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Meet Alumna Meghan Hanlon ’19, Audit & Assurance Senior @ Deloitte

Name: Meghan Hanlon

Class Year: 2019

Title: Audit & Assurance Senior

Organization Name: Deloitte & Touche

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?  

My job entails auditing public and private companies to provide reasonable assurance that their financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you? 

 During my time at Holy Cross, I was able to connect with each of the Big 4 Accounting Firms through the on-campus career fairs, the Women in Business conferences, and on-campus networking events and interviews.  Through this exposure, I learned the difference between public and private accounting and decided I was interested in pursuing a career in public accounting.  I thought it would be interesting to learn about all aspects of multiple clients.  I interned at Deloitte during the summer going into my Senior year.  I worked on three engagements during my internship in three different industries: Life Science & Health Care, Education, and Energy & Resources.  After my internship, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Audit in the Life Science & Health Care industry. Now in my third year at Deloitte, I can confidently say I made the right choice about the firm and industry I chose.  I am constantly learning about new accounting areas and transactions through my role in Audit & Assurance.  Additionally, I have learned a tremendous amount about the development of drugs, the FDA approval process, and the impact that these companies are making on the lives of patients.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?  

While on campus, I was a Tour Guide and Tour Guide Coordinator, a Working for Worcester Site Manager, a Tutor at Nativity School of Worcester, and a member of Autism Awareness.

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

 I was an accounting major at Holy Cross.  I knew I wanted to go into an accounting role, whether it was at a public accounting firm or at a company.  Through the various networking opportunities on Campus, I decided I wanted to work for a Big 4 Accounting Firm after graduation.  My professors were extremely helpful in the decision making process and gave insights to their experience working at Public Accounting Firms.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

While at Holy Cross I developed my writing and communication skills through the non-accounting major courses that I took. I use communication skills while talking to clients and teammates each day.  Additionally, Holy Cross taught me how to articulate my thoughts in a concise manner, which helps me to explain issues I encounter to my teammates, managers, partners and clients.  Furthermore, Holy Cross taught me how to stay organized with my class materials and study schedule.  A large part of my job is project planning and management, so organization is a valuable skill.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today? 

Utilize the Holy Cross alumni network to learn about various industries, experiences and opportunities.  Holy Cross Alumni helped me decide what I wanted to pursue for a career, while I was still in college, and the alumni network remains relevant in my post-graduate life.  I am constantly making connections with Holy Cross alumni at Deloitte and at other companies.  The Holy Cross Alumni network is an invaluable resource that we are all lucky to have connections to and I plan to stay connected to many alumni for the rest of my life.
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Meet Alum Patrick C. Drain ’01, Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations

Name: Patrick C. Drain

Class Year: 2001

Job Title: Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations

Military Rank: Commander (O-5)

Organization Name: US Navy

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I support the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) through his Foreign Policy Advisor to by providing key information, analysis, and specific advice on a wide range of diplomatic and political-military issues that concern the U.S. Navy.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

I joined the US Navy in 2001 upon graduating from Holy Cross, and initially I served as a Surface Warfare Officer.  It was a pretty good fit, but after about a decade I realized there was a better option for me within the Navy.

 In 2011, I transferred into the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Community in the Navy, which placed me in a cadre of Middle East (CENTCOM)-focused officers and offered one year of Arabic language training and a Master’s Degree in National Security Studies.

My focus was to do my best as a Middle East FAO, and this eventually earned me enough recognition to be asked by name to join the CNO’s personal staff.

My tip on knowing if something is a good fit: If on most days you wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work, then you’re in the right place.  If on most occasions this doesn’t happen, then you should probably look for a new job.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

 

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), all four years

Student Government Association – Class VP (freshman and sophomore years), SGA Parliamentarian (Junior Year)

Resident Assistant (Junior Year)

Students for Responsible Choices (Senior Year)

First Year Program

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

 

Political Science.  It was a reflection of my interest in international affairs, and I do not think it affected any of my career decisions.  I could have majored in anything at Holy Cross and gone down the same path.  They critical thing Holy Cross gave me is a firm foundation in thinking deeply about issues and the capability to intelligently express my ideas.

 

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

 

Writing.  The amount of writing – and the thorough analysis of our writing, at Holy Cross helped to hone a crucially important skill for many, many jobs.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

 

 Stick with what you love to do – you’ll work with more enthusiasm in these fields than you would otherwise.  Even if doing what you love means you will be starting at the bottom of what seems like an impossibly long ladder, it will be worth it in the long run.  People notice enthusiasm, and it will open doors you cannot imagine.

 

Don’t stick with jobs that are “comfortable.”  Once you get good at something and you feel like you’ve learned what you need to learn and you’ve got it down, it’s time to start thinking about where you want to go next.  Look to do things that will push your envelope and force you to learn more and be more than the comfortable job ever would.

 

Minor in a foreign language and aim for fluency.

 

Take a statistics course.