Brandon Ciarlo
Fairfield University, Dolan School of Business
“Passionate Italian who lifts heavy, plays guitar, and studies finance with curiosity.”
Fun fact about yourself: Self-taught guitarist who started during COVID quarantine and now writes and records his own music.
Hometown: Woodbury, Connecticut
High School: Nonnewaug High School
Major: Finance and Accounting Double Major
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: Global Capital Markets with Professor Sanjeev Handa
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
President, Student Managed Investment Fund, Fairfield University
I led a 45-member student investment team managing approximately $550,000 of Fairfield University’s endowment, overseeing portfolio construction, equity research, and risk management across sectors. As President, I guided an investment strategy that increased assets under management to over $500,000, the highest valuation in the fund’s history, while generating an approximate 4.0% alpha over the S&P 500 during my tenure. I emphasized disciplined decision-making, accountability, and collaboration while mentoring analysts and fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and performance.
In addition, I expanded the annual applicant pipeline by 50% by launching financial education partnerships with Fairfield University, Fairfield Preparatory School, and Fairfield Bellarmine, significantly enhancing the fund’s visibility and academic reputation. I previously served as Chief Economist and Fixed Income Analyst for the Student Managed Investment Fund, where I delivered weekly market outlooks synthesizing macroeconomic trends, monetary policy, and market dynamics to inform portfolio decisions. I conducted in-depth research on fixed income securities to strengthen portfolio diversification and optimize risk-adjusted returns, and I pitched investments including the Fidelity Floating Rate High Income Fund and Franklin FTSE India ETF reinforcing the fund’s analytical rigor across asset classes.
Officer, Beta Gamma Sigma (International Business Honor Society)
I was selected as an Officer of Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and ethical standards among the top-performing business students worldwide. In this role, I contribute to community initiatives that promote leadership engagement and academic service within the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.
Kairos Retreat Leader & Guitarist, Fairfield University Campus Ministry
I served as a Kairos Retreat Leader and Music Ministry guitarist through Fairfield University Campus Ministry, helping lead reflective, faith-based retreats centered on personal growth, service, and community. After participating as a student early in my college career, I returned as a retreat leader, guiding peers through meaningful dialogue and shared reflection. Through music ministry, I used guitar as a tool to foster community engagement across campus. I am a self-taught guitarist, having taught myself guitar during COVID quarantine and attempting to write, record, and produce music independently. This creative pursuit has strengthened my discipline, curiosity, and commitment to self-directed learning, while complementing my analytical work in finance and reinforcing the importance of balance between creative and quantitative thinking.
Recipient, Dolan School of Business 30 Under 30 Student Award
I was selected as an inaugural recipient of the Dolan School of Business 30 Under 30 Student Award, recognizing my sustained impact through excellence in academics, professional development, and societal engagement. As part of this cohort of 30 undergraduate and graduate students, I participate in university-sponsored panels, events, and initiatives that contribute to the continued growth and mission of Fairfield University and the Dolan School of Business.
Volunteer, Special Olympics – The Dream Ride (annual)
I volunteer annually with Special Olympics through The Dream Ride, contributing time and service to support one of the region’s largest fundraising initiatives dedicated to promoting inclusion and providing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Dean’s List, every semester (7 times)
I have earned placement on the Dean’s List every semester, maintaining consistent academic excellence while balancing leadership roles, internships, and service commitments.
Where have you interned during your college career?
Starwood Capital Group, Greenwich, CT
Off-Cycle Management Company Intern, January 2026 – Current
* Execute core financial operations and project-based initiatives across invoicing, reconciliations, and internal requests to maintain reliable financial data and enable accurate firm-wide reporting.
* Assist with periodic financial reviews and reporting deliverables in order to support budge oversight, performance tracking, and audit related processes.
Vanguard, Malvern, PA
College to Corporate Finance Intern – Shared Services FP&A, May – August 2025
* Modeled NPV for internal investment proposals, presenting actionable recommendations and insights to senior leadership.
* Developed a client segmentation analysis and two strategic initiatives to better serve emerging and high-net-worth investors by enhancing personalization through AI-driven onboarding and expanding access to asymmetric, non-traditional investment solutions.
* Analyzed a specific finance department incurring $4M in costs to identify inefficiencies and drive potential cost-mitigation strategies.
Franklin Templeton, Stamford, CT
USD Strategic Accounts Intern, June – August 2024
* Supported field sales by providing investment support to insurance company wholesaling teams, increasing adoption of Franklin Templeton Investments within insured solutions.
* Contributed to innovative strategies for revenue growth, positioning Franklin Templeton as a leader in wealth management solutions.
* Built a professional network to enhance collaboration and facilitate knowledge sharing across the organization.
Where will you be working after graduation? Vanguard’s Corporate Finance Program
Who is your favorite business professor? Professor Francis Reed is my favorite business professor. He taught my Finance Seminar / SIE preparation course, a class he personally designed to help students earn the FINRA SIE credential before graduating – an effort that speaks volumes about how deeply he cares about his students’ success. Beyond helping me achieve this milestone, Professor Reed was incredibly generous with his time and network, connecting me with a former colleague from his professional career who has since become a close mentor and friend. His kindness, depth of experience, and genuine willingness to invest in students stand out. After a 40-year career, choosing to return to the classroom says everything about his character.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I’ve learned from studying business is that technical skill matters, but character and relationships matter more. Fairfield’s Jesuit, liberal arts education emphasized the formation of the whole person, reminding me that business decisions are ultimately about people, not just outcomes. Whether through coursework, leadership roles, or mentorship, I learned that trust, integrity, and relationships compound over time in ways no model can capture. That perspective has shaped how I approach leadership and how I hope to practice business.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Consistency and curiosity. Be reliable in your effort and open in your thinking. The combination helps you grow technically while building meaningful relationships along the way.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back, I would have worried less about having the “right” answer and about what others thought. Business school taught me that growth comes from curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and engaging honestly with uncertainty. Letting go of the need to appear polished earlier would have allowed me to learn more deeply and contribute more authentically.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? Even though I am currently a senior, Fairfield University’s Dolan School of Business is in the process of launching an AI major and minor beginning next year, signaling a strong institutional commitment to preparing students for the future of business. In addition, all business students are required to complete a Business Analytics course as part of the Dolan core curriculum, where AI concepts are introduced and students learn how to incorporate these tools into analytical decision-making.
Beyond the core curriculum, Dolan has integrated AI through its experiential learning initiative, with faculty across disciplines actively embracing AI as a way to enhance understanding rather than replace thinking. Professors emphasize responsible use, reinforcing that AI should function as a learning tool, not a shortcut. In accounting courses, faculty highlight how firms increasingly value students who can thoughtfully apply AI in practice, while in finance classes, professors encourage using AI to clarify complex concepts and deepen analysis. I’ve also seen AI used in marketing courses for idea generation and creative project development, demonstrating its versatility across business functions. My biggest insight from using AI is that its value depends entirely on how it’s used – you truly get out what you give in. When paired with human curiosity, judgment, and creativity, AI becomes a powerful learning accessory that accelerates understanding and elevates ideas. Used correctly, it doesn’t replace thinking; it strengthens it.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Fairfield University Dolan School of Business 30 Under 30 recipient. The award recognizes students who make a lasting impact on Fairfield University and the Dolan School of Business through excellence in academics, professional development, and societal engagement. For me, it felt like an affirmation not just of long hours and hard work, but of the kind of person I’ve worked to become.
My academic, professional, and community experiences have shaped my development as a whole person, showing me how interconnected these pursuits truly are. Academically, Fairfield taught me that knowledge is a gateway to understanding complex systems and the world around us, instilling discipline and a commitment to lifelong learning. Beyond the classroom, my community engagement deepened my sense of empathy and responsibility, reinforcing that true success includes lifting others and contributing to the greater good.
This recognition reflects the Jesuit values that have guided me throughout college – reflection, service, striving for excellence, and balance of mind, body, and spirit. More than any single accomplishment, the award represents my commitment to growth, relationships, and using business as a means to make a positive impact.
Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I most admire is Andrew (Andy) Martin ’25. I met Andy during my freshman year through Fairfield’s Student Managed Investment Fund, where we worked closely together for three years, and I later had the privilege of succeeding him as president. Beyond SMIF, we were also involved in Campus Ministry, where our relationship deepened through the Kairos retreat – a multi-day experience centered on reflection, faith, and community. Kairos was where I truly got to know Andy, and two years later, we returned to the retreat together as leaders, which further revealed his humility, integrity, and commitment to serving others.
Andy comes from a large family and consistently carries a deep sense of responsibility – not only toward them, but toward everyone around him – truly embodying Fairfield’s ideal of being a “person for others.” Balancing this with leadership roles across campus, including serving as a leader on the club basketball team, Andy has always modeled discipline, selflessness, and quiet leadership. Throughout college, Andy has been my greatest mentor both professionally and personally, helping me navigate leadership, relationships, and the complexities of college life with clarity and perspective. His guidance and example played a significant role in shaping the opportunities I’ve pursued and the roles I hold today. Now working in Deutsche Bank’s Financial Sponsors Group within their Investment Banking wing, Andy’s work ethic, values, and character speak for themselves – but it’s who he is as a leader and person that I admire most.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would most want to thank my Grammy. Widowed with five children when my mom was just two, she was left to run a business and provide for her family under immense challenges, showing resilience and determination that continue to inspire me. While I wasn’t alive during those early years, growing up with her taught me the importance of pushing myself, trying new things, and embracing diverse experiences with curiosity and confidence.
Even now, at 94 years old, she remains fiercely independent, navigating life on her own terms and serving as a constant reminder that perseverance and self-reliance are lifelong practices. Spending time with her instilled in me a sense of courage, discipline, and empathy that shapes how I approach my studies, leadership roles, and relationships. Her example has shown me that true success is not measured solely by accomplishments, but by the resilience, integrity, and care we bring to our work and to the people around us.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First, I aspire to lead high-performing teams, building on the leadership experiences I developed in college, with a clear emphasis on accountability and delivering trackable, meaningful results. Second, I want to use my career to positively impact others through mentorship, collaboration, and shared success. I believe the most effective leaders create environments where people are challenged to perform at a high-level while being supported in their growth, and that balance is what I strive to build throughout my career.
What made Brandon such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“I’ve known Brandon Ciarlo for several years and recently taught him in FNCE 4390: Seminar in Finance – a senior-level rigorously applied Finance course adapted for students aspiring to pass the challenging FINRA U.S. Securities Industry Essential Exam, a critical financial industry credential. Brandon immediately distinguished himself as an exceptional student. He approaches his work with a rare combination of intellectual rigor, discipline, and humility. Brandon consistently arrived prepared, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated an ability to connect complex financial concepts to real-world applications with clarity and confidence. Brandon excelled academically in the course and passed the FINRA SIE Exam – earning this important financial industry milestone, while still an undergraduate student. This impressive achievement reflects more than just his technical strength, and maturity; it demonstrates his passionate pursuit of, and commitment to, professional excellence.
Brandon is a truly remarkable person. His depth of leadership, sense of service in the care for others, and community engagement extend well beyond the classroom. Currently, as President of the Fairfield Student Managed Investment Fund, Brandon leads a large and diverse team of 40 students in managing a portion of the University’s endowment, helping grow assets to the highest level in the fund’s history while fostering a collaborative, learning-centered culture. Previously serving as Chief Economist and Fixed Income Analyst, Brandon delivered weekly market insights and pitched investments that strengthened portfolio diversification and performance. His professional experiences with Franklin Templeton, Vanguard, and Starwood Capital Group further reflect Brandon’s ability to apply rigorous financial analysis in high-stakes, institutional environments, while remaining thoughtful, curious, and well grounded.
Although in my mind, Brandon’s character, provides his true distinction. He is a kind, empathetic, and deeply values-driven individual, who consistently leads with integrity and care for others. His long-standing involvement with the Special Olympics, inspired by a touching personal family connection is both heart-warming and inspiring. Through his love for music, Brandon plays an active role in Campus Ministry, contributing to the spiritual life of our Fairfield University community. Another reflection of his genuine commitment to service, his faith and our community. Brandon embodies Fairfield University’s Jesuit Ignatian ideals of reflection, excellence, and action in the service to others. Far more than merely one of Fairfield Dolan’s best and most accomplished students; Brandon is perhaps our finest ambassador. I give Brandon Ciarlo my highest recommendation for recognition as one of Poets & Quants’ 100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors of 2026.”
Fran Reed
Professor of the Practice, Finance
Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Fairfield University
DON’T MISS: 100 BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2026
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