Wall Street Excursion Immerses Students in World of Finance

A Deep Dive Into the People and Tools Driving Finance

The professional engagement included an advanced training session at Bloomberg Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, further exploring how our Bloomberg terminals at the Meehan School of Business can assist in managing the Herlihy Opportunity Fund. Gaining insight into historical perspectives and appreciating the impact of technological change, the group visited both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq. At the NYSE, the group was hosted by longtime Stonehill ally Tim Reilly, Head of Exchange-Traded Solutions. And at Nasdaq, Ato Garrett, Senior Vice President for Investor Relations and a member of the Nasdaq Digital Assets team, hosted a boardroom discussion with the group and his associate, Chris Harrsch, Director of Product for Digital Assets. While a complex subject, the group’s exposure to FinTech courses, first established by Finance Department Chair Elif Sisli Ciamarra, provided a strong foundation for an interesting discussion.

In addition to those experiences, workshop participants also had the opportunity to learn from and network with Stonehill alumni and supporters who work on Wall Street.

Presenters included:

• Sean Doherty, who co-founded GovDash.com, an AI platform supporting management of government contracts, and whose father, Brian Doherty ’94, is a Stonehill trustee
• Tom Buckley ’18 and other members of TD Securities, who provided a financial analysis workshop

“Sean’s entrepreneurial journey, which took him from Boston to San Francisco and then to New York, was attention-grabbing, to say the least, and provided a powerful reminder of how innovation and perseverance can transform ideas into impactful solutions,” wrote finance majors Michael Soliman ’27 and Thomas Forde ’26 in a summary of the workshop experience. “GovDash.com’s story reinforced a core lesson for us as investors: Technology and entrepreneurship, when combined with purpose, have the power to open entirely new markets and create lasting value.”

The group’s three-hour meeting at TD Cowen Securities offered insights on how to research, analyze, and evaluate potential investments. The discussion focused on Acushnet Holdings, best known for its Titleist and FootJoy brands. “We gained invaluable insights into equity research, particularly regarding Acushnet, a company assigned to us in June, where we were to do an extensive financial analysis and valuation assessment as part of our summer assignments,” said finance major Nicolas Oustinow ’26. “A significant amount of critical thinking is essential, analyzing not only the company itself but also its customer base and competitors.” Hosting the meeting was Justin Matthews, Managing Director and Associate Head of Global Equity Research at TD Cowen, and his associate, John Kernan, Managing Director and Analyst. Joining the discussion with a buy-side view was Tom Buckley ’18, Investment Analyst at The Clark Estates and former Portfolio Manager of the Herlihy Opportunity Fund. Among his insights, Tom shared with with the students three key aspects that are vital when considering an investment in a company. First, and most importantly, is the company a high-quality business? Second, is the management team good? Lastly, as investors, can we buy the stock at a reasonable valuation?

An Opportunity To Learn From and Network With Stonehill Alumni

A highlight of each year’s workshop is the opportunity to mingle with Stonehill finance alumni.

This year’s event featured alumni working in New York City, who reminisced and shared their professional experiences and insights with the group. The gathering also gives students a chance to network with professionals who could potentially help them gain a foothold when seeking an internship for the summer or a full-time position.

“SIG is all about education and professional enlightenment. Not everyone wants to, or desires to, go to Wall Street. Effort, commitment, preparation, and the importance of cooperative collaboration are important lessons for SIG graduates. That is why some of the best firms in all corners of finance are seeking out these students as well as the many other graduates of Meehan,” said Associate Professor Michael Mullen, founding director of the SIG program and the Stonehill College Inspire Finance Initiatives (SCIFI). “I am very pleased with how well this group has come together in such a short period of time,” added Mullen. “It is a tribute to their character, values, and education at Stonehill. I look forward to a memorable year with this team.”

The Skyhawk Investment Group is now entering its 13th year, measuring its success by the opportunities created by its outstanding reputation and the pride of its alumni in their Stonehill education and SIG experience. Click here for more insights into the Stonehill College Inspire Finance Initiatives and its Skyhawk Investment Group.