UC Merced Pilots Summer Investment Academy to Help Students Build Skills, Connections

For business administration major Iggy Hadjaj from San Francisco, the summer academy offered the opportunity to strengthen both his knowledge and professional connections.

Hadjaj said the program's guest speakers were especially valuable, providing firsthand insight into career paths and industry trends.

"Going to the Summer Investment Academy unlocked many doors for me, including developing relationships with my business and economics teachers," he said.

Bravo said she had gained more than technical knowledge. She was especially inspired by Laura Moreno Lucas, general partner of L'ATTITUDE Ventures and Libra Fund, whose insights on real-world investing and entrepreneurship resonated with her.

"I arranged a one-on-one call with her, and she walked me through the steps she took to build her clothing brand, including how she worked with manufacturers," Bravo said. "Getting that level of detail from someone who has done it gave me ideas I'm taking into my own career."

UC Merced alumni also offered a look at the investment and finance world. James Kirby, '09, CEO of Saxa Innovation; Tiler Fears, '23, M.S. '25, client account manager at Albourne; Gehad Elhanafy, '23, business development program manager at BEAM Circular; and Tatiana Howell, '24, wealth management analyst at Goldman Sachs shared their professional experiences with the participants.

Fears and Howell, both former participants in the year-long UC Investments Academy, shared how the program helped shape their career trajectories.

After a week of learning, analysis and collaboration, teams of three to four participants put their skills to the test in a pitch competition.

"They researched a company, came up with an investment thesis, and then pitched that thesis to a review board on the final day," Hicks said. "The students were exposed to a lot, and they ended up producing very high-quality stock theses and pitches."

"The most important lesson I learned is that you build your future through connections, risks and opportunities that make you uncomfortable, because they tend to lead to greater success and new networks," Bravo said. "I went from only studying this world to sitting in a room full of motivated, brilliant students who shared my interests. I left with friendships, new skills, more confidence and the drive to keep growing and creating."

UC Merced students interested in attending the year-long Investments Academy can apply online.