Distinguished Speaker Series | Welcoming Finance Experts

On Wednesday, September 18, the Business, Finance, and Law Academy (BFLA) was pleased to host our first Distinguished Speaker Series of the 2024-2025 academic year! 

Principal Jessica Aybar opened up the event with St. Ignatius' Prayer for Generosity, and Mr. Thomas Doyle, Director of the FBLA, served as the panel moderator. We were pleased to welcome three guests: Ms. Heather Orrico, Mr. Albert Arencibia, and Ms. Roselyn Fernandez. Heather, Albert, and Roselyn have each enjoyed successful careers as financial professionals, and all currently work in Manhattan at BNP Paribas, a French multinational bank and financial services holding company headquartered in Paris. Their panel discussion focused on the irreplaceable value of hard work, the importance of being true to your core values, and the multitude of opportunities that working in international business offers to learn to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and to travel abroad.

Remain True to your Values

Heather Orrico, wife and mother of three, leads a team of 165 professionals across the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina as the co-head of Global Macro Americas. Heather emphasized that with so much exposure to different cultures, different people, and different countries, she finds that she is constantly learning. Early in her career, Heather was afforded the opportunity to work in London for 4 years. This experience brought many challenges, despite the common language spoken in the U.S. and U.K.; after struggling through the first few months, Heather realized that she had to “let her armor down” and open herself up to the unknown in order to truly enjoy the experience. Heather shared her superpower, the activity that drove her to learn crucial life lessons: playing sports! As a college field hockey athlete, Heather learned to embody three core values: hard work, which can’t be replaced by anything; teamwork, because everyone brings something unique; and a positive attitude, in order to face daily challenges and find solutions. Heather stressed the need to “be true to your core values” in the workforce, because what really matters is the way you treat people every day. A piece of advice she would share with her younger self is to stop and enjoy more!

Work Hard to be Slightly Better Every Day

Albert Arencibia, head of BNP’s Leveraged Finance Healthcare practice, is a native New Yorker and the son of immigrant parents. Albert’s background has shaped his strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. Before gaining nearly 20 years of experience in investment banking and leveraged finance, Albert was a philosophy student. This liberal arts degree did not hinder his ability to learn the specific knowledge needed to succeed in finance; in fact, studying philosophy challenged him to think critically and communicate ideas clearly, and he continues to see how important these skills are in order to avoid becoming a professional “robot.” When asked to comment on the importance of studying well in high school, Albert shared with our students, “Now is the time to learn foundational skills; later, you will learn technical skills.” He offered a self-reflective question that helps him to grow professionally: “How can I be slightly better every day?” When applied to our students, the answer to that question looks like a student visiting a teacher outside of class to ask questions, spending extra time helping a friend to understand the class material, or resolving to try again after failing to achieve a goal, even after working hard. When asked to share a piece of advice he would offer to his younger self, Albert reflected that success can be measured in a lot of ways, so it is not helpful to compare yourself with others. Outside of the office, Albert is a devoted father of three, balancing his professional life with the joys and challenges of raising a family. His personal and professional journey is a testament to perseverance and dedication, qualities he brings to every aspect of his life.  

Be Curious and Ask Questions!

Finally, Roselyn Fernandez is a Vice President and Deputy Branch Manager for BNP Paribas Fortis New York Branch as well as Co-chair of the HOLA (Hispanic/Latinx, Outreach, Leadership, and Advancement) Employee Resource Group, championing an inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace within the organization. In 2023, Roselyn was awarded the Aspira Circle of Achievers Award. This award highlights her leadership contributions to the Latino communities and her dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. Roselyn holds a Bachelor of Art in Criminology. She is married and a proud mother of three children. Similar to Albert, Rosleyn entered Wall Street not from a degree in finance, but rather in criminology. She explained how her university psychology classes equipped her to understand and deal with different personalities in the workplace. When she first started out, Roselyn was curious and unafraid to ask questions, landing an immediate job offer because of her tenacity. She presented students with a simple yet compelling motto: “You don’t ask, you don’t get.” If you find something interesting, don’t just file that interest somewhere in the back of your mind; instead, be fearless, learn more, and ask questions! Roselyn closed her remarks with something she would tell her younger self: “Don’t worry so much; put your best foot forward and God will lead you where He wants you to go.”

Our first Distinguished Speaker Series event of the year provided insights into the hard work and curiosity necessary to lead a successful personal and professional life. We are deeply grateful to our guests for their time, wisdom, and example, and to Mr. Doyle for coordinating such a great event!

If you are interested in learning more about the Distinguished Speaker Series, please email tdoyle@cathedralhs.org.