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Meet Alumna Elizabeth DeLuca ’21, Senior Associate Consultant at Hayden Consulting Group

Name: Elizabeth DeLuca

Class Year: 2021

Title: Senior Associate Consultant

Organization Name: Hayden Consulting Group

 

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

My role as an SAC is to support project teams with addressing our clients’ market access questions, typically by conducting research and translating it into digestible strategic findings.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?

I completed pre-med courses at Holy Cross with the end goal of attending medical school. After graduation, I worked in a hospital and realized that medical school was not what I wanted. I began exploring other career paths and was drawn to life sciences consulting as a way to leverage my healthcare interest and problem-solving skills in a new context. Through a Holy Cross alumni, I was introduced to Hayden Consulting Group and have been there for about 2 years now.

 

3. How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?  

Hayden is a good fit for me because I feel excited about the work I do and going to work. I typically work on 2 projects at a time which last ~3 months each, so the work I am doing and the project teams I am working on are always changing. I feel like I am constantly learning because Hayden is so focused on professional development; they have taught me how to code, conduct primary market research, create XLS models, etc. I think what makes Hayden stand out is the company culture that they have created. It is a place where I am welcome to speak in company meetings and I have a relationship with the founders.

 

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

I was a member of Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) and Counseling Outreach Peer Educator (COPE). I was also a Chemistry lab TA and STEM+E tutor.

 

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

I was a Chemistry major at Holy Cross and on the pre-med track. Looking back, I think in college I did not have a clear idea of alternative career paths for someone who was interested in the sciences/healthcare outside of becoming a physician. In my current role at Hayden, I leverage the knowledge I gained at Holy Cross when conducting background research on pharmaceutical products, understanding a treatment landscape, crafting discussion guides for physicians, etc.

 

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

The most valuable skill I learned from Holy Cross is analytical problem-solving. I think that this way of thinking is something I gained from my chemistry major and supports my everyday work. Our goal at Hayden is to answer our clients’ complex questions, so being able to take a problem and break it down into parts that can be answered is critical.

 

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

Graduating is such a special time in your life when you will truly become independent. Take some time and really think about what it is that you want to do and try to find a piece of that in your first job. You can build from there! And utilize the Holy Cross network – people are very willing to help in my experience.
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Meet Alum Benjamin Howe ’96, Audit Manager at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Name: Benjamin Howe

Class Year: 1996

Title: Audit Manager

Organization Name: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General

 

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

Audit managers supervise a team that conducts performance audits of VA programs and operations. 

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? 

I moved back to New England from Washington, DC in 2002 and was looking for federal opportunities in the greater Boston area. During that search, I identified the Government Accountability Office as an opportunity I was interested in pursuing because of its innovative professional development program. I have been conducting performance audits ever since.

 

3. How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

While auditing can be done on your own, I also enjoy the opportunities to work closely in teams. I also appreciate that this work requires professional skepticism, objectivity, and good oral and written communication. 

 

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

I worked on the Holy Cross newspaper and yearbook.

 

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

I was a history and Spanish major. After college, I completed my Master of Public and International Affairs at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) at the University of Pittsburgh. While I was completing my degree at GSPIA, I interned for different government organizations. I later moved to Washington and started my federal career on Capitol Hill.     

 

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

I developed strong research and writing skills during my time at Holy Cross that have served me well during my career.

 

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

I would recommend volunteering with professional organizations in your prospective career field. By becoming a member of the Boston Chapter of the AGA, I have built strong professional connections while positively impacting my community. I have also taken advantage of the leadership opportunities offered by the Chapter to show my leadership skills as a young professional. As a student interested in a financial management career, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunities AGA offers. In addition, students can join the group for free!

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Meet Alum Kyle Irvine ’21, Senior Associate Consultant at Hayden Consulting Group

Name: Kyle Irvine

Class Year: 2021

Title: Senior Associate Consultant

Organization Name: Hayden Consulting Group

 

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

I collaborate with teams to advise & deliver recommendations to pharmaceutical manufacturers on questions related to commercial strategy, product launch, organizational development & design, and patient access & affordability.

 

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 original plan after graduation was to attend graduate school but as a COVID-era graduate, I knew I needed a break from school. A few of my professors and mentors had worked in consulting prior to attending graduate school, so I figured it was a safe option. I began researching and applying and came across my current (and first) employer. Throughout the interview process, I was able to learn more about the kind of work I’d be doing and with whom I’d be doing it.

 

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

I was a four-year member of a number of musical ensembles through the Music Department, Chaplain’s Office, and Student Affairs, was a Tour Guide and Senior Interviewer in the Office of Admission, served as Co-Director of Academic Affairs for SGA, worked in Dinand and for the Economics Department, did research in the Economics Department, was a member of the College Honors and Economics Department Honors programs, and participated in the Spring Break Immersion Program and Dance Marathon.

 

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

I was a double major in Economics and Music, which allowed me to pursue a wide range of potential careers – it also always sparked a discussion in an interview or networking call!

 

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

Critical Thinking: Across all of the courses I took at Holy Cross, my classmates and I were always pushed to get to the “so what” on exams and in papers, which has been invaluable in my consulting career as we continue to provide clients with rich insights from our work.

 

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

Don’t stress about having it all figured out (easier said than done) – talk to people (friends, upperclass students, professors, alumni) and learn more about what you might be interested in!
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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 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 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 Allie Silge ’20, Wealth Strategy Associate

Allie Silge

Class Year: 2020

Title: Wealth Strategy Associate

Organization Name:  UBS Private Wealth Management

 

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

I work on a team that serves Ultra High Net Worth Clients by managing their investments and providing them with holistic wealth management advice and services.

 

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 participated in the Global Wealth Management Internship at UBS the summer before my senior year.  This program was great for getting my foot in the door and leveraging the Holy Cross network at the firm, which ultimately led for me to receive a full time offer at the bank.  Over the course of the summer I was able to learn more about Wealth Management and realized it was the perfect fit for me.  This industry specifically requires a unique skillset that is a cross between technical/analytical skills and social/people skills.  I loved how these two skillsets could be blended into a job that felt right for me. 

 

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

On campus I was involved in: Finance Club, SPUD, Eucharistic Ministry, and Club Tennis.

 

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

I was an Economics Major and Art History Minor.  My economics major largely affected my career decision as I was interested in the broader macro environment and how it affected financial markets.  I was further interested in how this affected someone’s personal financial investments and what types of investments do well in different macro situations.  Overall, I found the interconnectedness of the markets & the economy to be fascinating.

 

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

One of the most important things I learned at Holy Cross was how to write.  I learned this mainly through my history classes, and is truly an invaluable skill that differentiates me from my colleagues.

 

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

  • First, I would say to cherish your time on the Hill – it goes by faster than you think!
  • Second, I would say to keep an open mind when exploring your career options – it is always better to cast a wide net and be open to many different opportunities than to focus on one particular thing.  If anything, I’ve learned that your interests and strengths change as you develop and grow, so remaining open and malleable to this change is so important.
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Meet Alumna Maggie Moriarty ’20, Financial Services Consultant, EY

Name: Maggie Moriarty

 Class Year: 2020

 Title: Financial Services Consultant-Staff

 Organization Name: Ernst & Young

 

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

Every consulting project is very different, but overall my job entails working with financial services clients (banks, wealth management companies, and insurance companies) to offer them beneficial solutions, additional support, and guidance on tracking and completing either long-term or short term projects that enhance their company.  

 

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 three years at Holy Cross I always thought I wanted to go to law school, but after attending career fairs and networking with my HC Alumni network, I started to research more about the consulting industry. After further networking I was able to set up calls with HC alumni who worked for Ernst & Young, and ultimately landed an interview and the job. I knew consulting was a good fit for me because similar to being a lawyer, a consultant has several clients and projects throughout his or her career, so he or she is continuously learning and getting up to speed on different subject areas. The ability to transition from project to project greatly appealed to me, especially during the early stages of my career. In addition, I knew I wanted to work closely with others to achieve certain goals and deadlines. Being in constant communication with team members from within my company and/or the client company was appealing to me.

 

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

At Holy Cross, I was a member of the women’s lacrosse team, a member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, a member of Holy Cross for a Cure, and a member of the pre-business program.

 

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

I majored in Political Science and thoroughly enjoyed learning about current events, policies and the law, as well as creating materials in either presentation or paper format on these topics.  I knew I wanted to take those interests and combine them with my interest in business. Consulting seemed to be a great fit for me because of the opportunity to explore how different policies effect the requirements and decisions of financial institutions, as well as the opportunity to communicate large amounts of information to an audience in an effective and concise manner.

 

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

The ability to synthesize large amounts of detailed information into big picture ideas/trends and time management/organization.

 

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

Continue to work hard and explore different activities and opportunities on campus that are outside of your comfort zone!  
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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 Chris Hodgens ’17, Audit & Assurance at Deloitte & Touche LLP

Name: Chris Hodgens, CPA

Class Year: 2017

Title: Audit & Assurance Senior 2

Organization Name: Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

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

As a public accountant, I investigate client financial data to evaluate its validity on behalf of the Board of Directors and Company Shareholders.

 

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?

When I arrived at Holy Cross, I did not have accounting on my radar at all. By the time second semester of my first year rolled around, I had made friends with several people in my Montserrat class/cluster. Through these friends, I had heard great things about Prof. O’Connor’s Financial Accounting class and decided to register – and the rest is history as they say.

 

 

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

I was an active member in campus ministry, SPUD, and also worked in Dinand.

 

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

Accounting. I was lucky enough to major in a subject that has a somewhat predictable pipeline to public accounting. Through my accounting professors (shoutout to Prof. O’Connor, Baldiga, Teitel, and Sandstrom!) and the Center for Career Development, I was provided with ample opportunities to network with professionals (and HC alumni) from the “Big 4” public accounting firms.

 

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

Without a doubt, the amount of writing that I did in all of my classes was hugely beneficial. Many people think “accounting” and assume that I work in a dimly lit room with a calculator – not so! The audit profession (and accounting in general) requires a high degree of analysis into what the numbers really mean to the different stakeholders – so communicating that information is key. In fact, a large portion of my day is comprised of sending emails to clients, communicating the status of work to my direct superiors and to clients, and drafting memos to substantiate identified risks, understanding of the business, etc.

 

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

I would encourage everyone to start thinking about life post-college early on – attend the career fairs, alumni/industry panels, etc. Have conversations with your professors – many of whom started their careers in the industries/topics they now teach about – to get some additional perspectives. For my accounting major friends, make it a point to attend recruiting events and introduce yourself to campus recruiters from Deloitte and the other “Big 4” accounting firms. Each firm has leadership programs for sophomores to attend and get a feel for the culture at each firm – be sure to apply to these. These programs often lead to an internship offer for the following summer – so it pays to start building these relationships early.