2019 Best & Brightest: Lindsay Shagrin, Lehigh University

Lindsay Shagrin

Lehigh University

Avid learner, competitive athlete, loyal friend, caring daughter, supportive sister, chocolate enthusiast.”

Fun fact about yourself: My siblings and I are all left-handed

Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida

High School: Saint Andrew’s School

Major: Finance

Minor: Journalism

Favorite Business Course: Entp 201 – Entrepreneurship and Enterprise

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Dreyfus Investment Portfolio, Thompson Investment Portfolio, Vice President of the Tamid Group, Challah for Hunger, Best Buddies

Where have you interned during your college career?

NoCamels.com, Tel Aviv, Israel, Reporter

Bank of American Merrill Lynch, New York, New York, Equity Capital Market Summer Analyst

Lehigh University Investment Office, New York, New York, Summer Investment Analyst

Where will you be working after graduation? KPMG Financial Services Advisory in New York

What company do you admire most? The company I admire most is the Blackstone Group because they have a strong company culture that fosters innovative solutions. Additionally, the leaders are intelligent and promote representation of women across the firm through programs focusing on mentoring and networking.

Who is your favorite professor? A professor who particularly sticks out to me is Professor Brennan, who teaches Management courses for the business school. He takes a particular interest in his students and their endeavors both inside and outside of the classroom. More importantly, he genuinely believes in his students and makes them feel confident in their abilities to succeed.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I think Lehigh’s business school gives students endless opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, including clubs, externship opportunities, and abroad programs. The curriculum and scheduling allow students to explore topics of interest inside and outside of business as well as time to explore their passions outside the classroom.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I learned a lot about the different aspects of running a business. Although I am a Finance major, Lehigh’s business school has us take classes in supply chain, marketing, accounting, and more. Having exposure to all of these areas has made me realize the importance of each area of a company and not to put too much focus on just one area in order to be successful.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would advise them to take advantage of all the opportunities both in and out of the classroom, whether that be extra classes, speakers, clubs, etc. I believe taking action to expose yourself to as many things as possible helps students understand what they may be interested in pursuing after graduation.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The most surprising thing about majoring in business has been all the different career opportunities one could have upon graduation. There are so many different ways to apply a business degree, especially given the vast set of skills I have learned through the business school.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…I would study Journalism because I have always enjoyed writing and talking to people. Journalism allows me to stay in the loop with and learn about the surrounding community.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My dad influenced me the most to pursue business. He has worked in Private Equity since I was born and I always thought his work seemed very interesting. He always spoke about enjoying his work and continues to do so, which is why I wanted to pursue a major that could lead me to an exciting, challenging career.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of the Scholar-Athlete award I received in high school which is given to the senior with the highest GPA and most Varsity sports credits. I think it reflects on my ability to prioritize my time for things I care about, especially academics and exercise.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire my classmate David Morency, who recently graduated from Lehigh. Not only is David a great student, but he is also a great leader. He is well-spoken and incredibly driven. I have always admired David and believe he will be very successful in the future.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank both of my parents for my success. Their hard work has put me in a position to receive a top-notch education and create unforgettable memories during my time at Lehigh. Their supportive nature has been the most critical aspect of my success.

What are the top two items on your bucket list? Go on an African Safari and run a marathon

What are your hobbies? I like to exercise, go to the beach, play board games, read in my spare time, and ski when I get the chance.

What made Lindsay such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

“Lindsay stands out among the many stellar finance students at Lehigh. She is curious about the field of finance and is always willing to go the extra mile to understand a topic or to increase her understanding. Lindsay is a vocal participant in class and adds a unique perspective to the discussions. She is one of the finest students I have had the privilege to teach at Lehigh.”

Kathleen Weiss Hanley
Bolton-Perella Chair in Finance
Director of the Center for Financial Services
Co-Director, FinTech Minor
Lehigh University
College of Business and Economics