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Meet MS Finance Students and Alumni

Students and alumni of the Vanderbilt MS Finance program come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and are each taking unique paths forward. Explore the following stories and learn how the MS Finance helped prepare these young professionals for success.

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  • Isaac Okita

    Isaac Okita

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2009

    Principal Associate, ALM Strategy, Capital One

    After graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Isaac Okita put his business degree to use as a curriculum writer for an education project that provided finance training for high school and college students. But he soon realized that his career ... More of Isaac Okita’s Story

  • Sheila Swedberg

    Sheila Swedberg

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2012

    Finance Analyst, Caterpillar Financial, Nashville, TN

    Sheila Swedberg was bouncing back and forth, both geographically and in her career. The California native went to Boston University for her undergraduate studies, then came back home to work in administration at Cal State-Sacramento (“Tom Hanks wen... More of Sheila Swedberg’s Story

  • Danielle Akins

    Danielle Akins

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2009

    Financial Risk Management Analyst, Tennessee Valley Authority

    Danielle Akins, a math major who had prepared for a career as a teacher, knew all about numbers. Finance, however, was a different matter. Developing skills in that area, she believed, would help advance her career. ... More of Danielle Akins’s Story

  • Matthew Yahyapour

    Matthew Yahyapour

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2010

    Associate, J.H. Whitney & Co.

    Matt Yahyapour always knew he wanted to be in the financial services industry. After earning his degree in Finance and Economics, he spent two years in the back office at Credit Suisse — a position that exposed him to many facets of finance and, he... More of Matthew Yahyapour’s Story

  • Suja Thomas

    Suja Thomas

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2011

    Business Valuation Associate, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services

    For Suja Thomas, who grew up in Muscat, Oman, getting a job was even more important than for most new college graduates. It meant she could stay in the U.S. and be financially independent.... More of Suja Thomas’s Story

  • Josh Wang

    Josh Wang

    Vanderbilt MS Finance 2010

    Consultant, Capgemini
    Business Analyst, AT&T

    Dallas-born Josh Wang, who had lived in four different countries before he turned 18, grew up speaking English and understanding Chinese. At college in his parents' homeland, Taiwan, he minored in Japanese. ... More of Josh Wang’s Story