Finance as Vocation Retreat Inspires Reflection on Career and Purpose

LMU College of Business Administration hosted a pilot retreat, "Finance as Vocation: Exploring Your Personal Calling to Live with Purpose," on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the LMU Jesuit Community. Led by Fr. Dominic Chai, SJ, associate dean, strategy and mission, and Hai Tran, associate professor of finance, the half-day program brought together 20 finance majors and five finance alumni for reflection and conversation about purpose, vocation, and discernment in business life.

Rooted in the Ignatian tradition of reflection and discernment, the retreat invited participants to pause from the pace of academic and professional life and consider the deeper meaning of their studies and careers. Through guided reflection, small-group discussion, and an alumni panel, students explored how finance can be understood not simply as a career path, but as a vocation - a calling to live with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to the common good.

"This retreat was a special opportunity for alumni and students to get together and explore the deeper questions of joy, meaning, and purpose in careers related to finance," said Professor Tran.

Fr. Chai noted that creating space for reflection is central to the Jesuit approach to education. "This was an intentional effort within CBA to bring reflection and a sense of vocation into business education," he said. "It allowed students and alumni to step back from the pace of academic and professional life and to spend time with questions of purpose, meaning, and direction."

Alumni panelists included Bret Baker '95, managing director at TCW Group; Matthew Fleming '95, senior managing director at Antares Capital; Robert Lu '03, COO and managing partner at TouchUp Direct; Jessica Purnell '18, senior manager at Edwards Lifesciences; and Cristina Gahan '24, profit participants associate at GHJ. In addition to sharing their own career journeys, the alumni facilitated small-group discussions with students.

For many participants, the retreat offered a rare chance to reflect on the "why" behind career choices.

"The Finance as a Vocation Retreat was such a unique and impactful experience," said Melody Feitelson, a senior finance and economics double major. "It helped me reflect on how my career can fulfill different aspects of my life, what I ultimately want out of my career, and what kind of person I want to become."

Finance and accounting double major Zehan Mistry said the event stood out from typical career programming. "We have so many finance-based events that focus on how and what, but rarely do we dive into the 'why' of individual finance pathways," he said. One insight that resonated came from alumnus Bret Baker, who once chose not to stay long-term at a job after observing the lifestyles of the firm's partners. "It was very eye-opening and helped me think more carefully about workplace culture and how it aligns with my values."

Students also appreciated the opportunity to connect with alumni and peers in a more personal setting. "It gave me the chance to meet inspiring alumni, get to know fellow students in a more meaningful way, and gain insights into potential career paths," said junior finance major Jade Gidley.

For alumni, the experience was equally reflective. "Speaking on the panel was a chance to pause in gratitude for all the opportunities and knowledge I gained through the LMU Finance Department and to reflect on how I'm called to use those gifts to become the best version of myself," said Cristina Gahan '24.

Robert Lu '03 shared how Ignatian reflection continues to shape his professional decisions. "The Ignatian practice of discerning consolation and desolation gave me clarity beyond significant financial upside," he said. "It permanently reshaped how I work and where I invest my time."

By encouraging students to reflect on purpose alongside professional success, the retreat embodied LMU's Catholic mission, rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions, to educate the whole person and prepare graduates to use their talents in the service of others. Following the success of this pilot program, organizers hope to expand the model to other majors within the College of Business Administration.