StM News

In the high-stakes world of global finance, success is often measured in basis points, dividends, and spreadsheets. But ask the alumni of St. Martin’s Episcopal School who have reached the pinnacles of Wall Street, private equity, and wealth management, and they will tell you a different story. They will tell you that their success didn’t simply stem from having a solid grasp on calculus classes or economics lessons; it was built on a foundation of "humanity and care," critical writing, and the courage to "dream big." 

These decades of graduates are living examples of how the St. Martin’s experience builds more than just intelligent professionals; it fosters high-character leaders. They credit St. Martin’s with providing the strong foundation in communication, critical thinking, and relationships that shaped their career paths.

The Power of the Written Word

It is a common misconception that a career in finance is purely quantitative. Spencer Schlesinger ’10, Vice President of Financial Reporting at Kilroy Realty Corporation in Los Angeles, dispels that myth daily. While she leads a team responsible for complex quarterly and annual financial statements, her "secret weapon" wasn't found in a math book.

"The emphasis that St. Martin’s continues to place on clear communication and structured writing has proven just as essential to my career as the quantitative skills I gained," Spencer shares. Whether she is drafting investor disclosures or accounting position papers, she relies on the critical thinking cultivated in Mrs. Beckman’s English classes.

Leadership in the "War Room"

For many Saints, the transition from the classroom to the corporate boardroom felt less like a leap and more like a natural step. Scott Robinson ’01, who works in private equity in New York City focusing on infrastructure investments, credits the school’s intimate environment for his professional agility.

“What really stands out were the small class sizes which created an active learning environment,” Scott says. He notes that this setting perfectly mirrors the "real world," where professionals operate in small teams to solve complex problems rather than sitting in massive lecture halls. This sentiment is echoed by Ben Bologna ’06, a Portfolio Manager at the global hedge fund Citadel. Ben, a "renaissance Saint" who was both a state champion athlete and a nationally ranked debater, notes that "managing a wide range of personalities requires humanity and care," a skill he traces back to the multi-disciplinary nurturing he received on Green Acres.

Relationships as Currency

If there is one recurring theme among StM’s financial leaders, it is that trust is the ultimate currency. Andy Wittich ’89, an advisor with Gateway Financial Advisors, believes that even after two decades in the industry, connection matters as much as technical knowledge. “St. Martin’s gave me a strong foundation in communication, critical thinking, and relationship-building,” Andy says.

For Claire Bruton ’06, a Senior Manager at KPMG LLP, the "intimate environment" of St. Martin's taught her that she was more than just a number, which is a philosophy she now applies to her clients. "I always felt that [my teachers] cared about my well-being and success," she recalls, noting that this gave her the confidence to seek out mentorship in the high-pressure world of public accounting.

Similarly, Shelley Hoddinott Richardson ’10, Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, views the core values of discipline and integrity as her greatest assets. "In an industry where trust is the primary currency, these values have become my greatest assets," she says.

The Resilience to Pivot

A St. Martin’s education also provides the "intellectual and social confidence" to take risks. Rip Reeves ’78, CEO of Institutional Investor and former Wall Street veteran, remembers finding his footing through the faith his coaches and teachers placed in his abilities. "It was the start of my thinking I could ‘do it,’" Rip recalls. His advice to students today? "Dream big. You never know what you are able to achieve unless you try…and I mean really try!"

That resilience is what allowed Paige Oldham ’85 to pivot from a "fast track" partner path at a Big Four firm to managing a dude ranch, and eventually to her current role as Executive Financial Strategist for a major non-profit. Paige credits St. Martin’s for teaching her "how to learn and succeed in life, not just get through the classes."

Similarly, Michael Brown ‘80 credits St. Martin’s for easing a major cultural transition, when he moved from the UK to begin high school. He found a welcoming environment that helped him adapt quickly, both academically and socially. “The cultural gap was huge, but St. Martin’s did a great job in narrowing that gap,”

A Foundation for the Future

For young alumni like Jack McElveen V ’18, a Financial Accountant at EMR, the "independence" granted at St. Martin’s was the key to developing the workload management skills required for the professional world. Meanwhile, Walker Saik ’02 emphasizes that the StM experience is cumulative.

“Reading, writing, critical thinking, curiosity, and independent thinking aren’t specific to any one class,” Walker explains, “but these foundational skills are ingrained into every aspect of the St. Martin’s experience.”

As Chad Cooper ’90, President of Cooper White & Associates, reflects on his journey from Student Council President to financial planner, he sums up the enduring power of the StM community: “Relationships mature over time. Growth requires grace, perspective, and the willingness to move forward.”

From the trading floors of London to the executive offices of New Orleans, the message from these alumni is clear: St. Martin’s doesn't just produce accountants and advisors; it produces thinkers, communicators, and leaders who understand that at the end of every financial statement is a person, a family, and a community.