One of the primary goals of the Financial Markets Program is to provide "hands-on" learning. Through not only the Financial Markets Lab, but through experiencing the financial industry first hand and real time.
Communications Sector
Ben Tuomala
Ben graduated from Connections Academy in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ben will graduate in May 2023, with a B.B.A. in Financial Markets Finance and a minor in Entrepreneurship. He has been an active member of the school’s Investment Club since his freshman year in 2019. This past summer, Ben interned at a State Farm Insurance agency in Chaska, Minnesota. Ben enjoys keeping up on news and opinions, particularly regarding the stock market and fiscal policy. In his spare time, he also enjoys cooking, golfing, watching classic films, and caring for his family’s two cats, Decimal and Delta. Upon graduation, Ben intends to pursue a career in portfolio management, looking up to Warren Buffett and Peter Lynch in particular as inspirations. He also aspires to start his own business, whether as a full-time career or on the side.
Ethan Will
Ethan graduated from Centennial High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Ethan is on track to graduate in the spring of 2023 with a B.B.A. in Financial Markets, Finance. This year, Ethan is participating in the CFA Research Challenge. Additionally, he is the treasurer of Investment Club, where he loves to teach students about stocks and trading. In the summer of 2022, Ethan was employed at Oak Ridge Financial as an investment banking analyst intern where he gained valuable experience in financial modeling and analysis. In his spare time, Ethan likes to play pond hockey, work out in the gym, and play poker with his friends. Upon graduation, Ethan plans to pursue a career as an investment banking analyst and work towards obtaining his MBA.
Consumer Discretionary & Staples Sector
Alex Sturnieks
Alex graduated from Armstrong High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Alex will graduate in May of 2023 with a B.B.A in Financial Markets and a minor in Accounting. He is in his 4th year of playing baseball at UMD. Along with his space in sports, Alex is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of the Green Bandana Project, a program that brings mental health awareness to those on campus. Outside of sports and school, Alex enjoys spending his time with friends and family and improving his golf game avidly. After graduation, Alex plans to pursue a challenging career in the Financial Services Industry.
Alex Wattermann
Alex graduated from Prior Lake High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He will graduate in May of 2023 with a B.B.A in Financial Markets and a minor in Coaching. Alex is also on the Baseball team at UMD and is a 2-time Captain of the team. He received the Newcomer of the Year award in 2021 and received the Bulldog Award in 2022. Alex has also spent the last 2 summers playing in collegiate baseball summer leagues. He learned about the stock market from his dad and has been hooked on learning more ever since. In his free time he enjoys baseball, basketball, fishing, and hiking. After graduation Alex plans to pursue a career in the financial services industry.
Energy, Materials & Utilities Sector
Blake Olness
Blake graduated from Le Sueur-Henderson High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth pursuing his B.B.A in Financial Markets & Finance, minoring in Marketing. He has worked and interned at Cornerstone State Bank since 2019, where he has worked various jobs before becoming a Competitive Advisor to the Board of Directors. He will become a member of the board in the beginning of 2023. He is on course to graduate in May 2023 and spends his free time with friends and family. Upon graduation Blake plans to follow his passion pursuing a career in the Commodity Trading Industry.
Reece Parsons
Reece graduated from Armstrong High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at UMD. He will graduate in May of 2023 with a BBA in Financial Markets Finance and a minor in Management. Reece oversees the Materials and the Utilities sectors and is responsible for keeping up with things happening in these markets. He’s also a 2x Intramural Bean Bag Champion, and Intramural COD Champion and has choked in the finals of Flag Football and 5 on 5 basketball. In Reece’s free time, he is an avid skier and works at Spirit Mountain in the winters where he gets to ski almost every day. He also enjoys pickup basketball, videogames and going on hikes around Duluth. After completing his education, Reece plans to pursue a career in Equity Research.
Financials & REITs Sector
Jake Carlson
Jake graduated from Hill Murray High School in 2018 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth pursuing his B.B.A in Financial Markets Finance and pursuing his FINRA SIE license. Jake likes to hike and spend time at his cabin. He enjoys 4-wheeling and fishing. Upon graduation, Jake looks forward to a rewarding and challenging career in the financial services industry.
Logan Maas
Logan graduated from Waconia MN in 2019 and is currently a senior here at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is pursuing a B.B.A. in Financial Markets Finance and is currently an active member of the Investment Club as of 2022. Aside from school, he enjoys trading options in his personal time and has a strong passion for technical analysis. He also enjoys playing basketball and golf in the summer while playing pond hockey and skiing in the winter. Before graduating, he plans to find a job in the financial markets field in line with some sort of trading or TA related career.
Health Care Sector
Sophie Scharin
Sophie graduated from East Ridge High School and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She expects to graduate in May of 2023 with a B.B.A in Financial Markets. Finance and with a minor in German studies. Sophie is one of the student directors this year. Last summer, she interned at RSM US LLP in Technology Risk Consulting. In addition to participating in the Financial Markets Program, Sophie is participating in the CFA Research Challenge and is also the president of the UMD Investment Club and an officer of Women in Business. Her interests outside of school include staying active, watching sports (especially open-wheel racing and hockey), and traveling. After graduating, she plans to pursue a career in the financial services field and work towards obtaining her MBA.
Isaac Shelton
Isaac graduated from Cromwell High School in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth pursuing a B.B.A in Financial Markets Finance. In his free time, Isaac enjoys spending time outdoors hunting and fishing as well as spending time with his family. This year, Isaac is participating in the CFA Institute Research Challenge and is an Officer of the Investment Club. Upon Graduation, Isaac plans to pursue a career within wealth management but is unsure of the exact career path he will pursue.
Industrials Sector
Jack Graff
Jack graduated from Mahtomedi High School and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth pursuing a double major in Financial Markets and Finance. He is also pursuing a minor in Accounting. Jack is on track to graduate in May 2023 and is very excited to take a career path somewhere in the Finance industry. In Jack’s free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and an occasional round of golf.
Aaron Wukmir
Aaron graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2018, and is currently a 5th year student at UMD. He will finish school with both a Finance and Financial Markets major and will graduate in the Spring of 2023. Aaron has been a part of the UMD Baseball team since his Freshman year and is also a member of the investment club. Last summer, Aaron interned for Munkeby Kramer Asset Management and Estate Preservation, in which he aided with updating client models based on their risk tolerance as well as research companies to provide insight for portfolio additions. Outside of school, Aaron's interests include golfing and playing pond hockey. Upon graduation, Aaron is planning to pursue a career in Wealth Management.
Technology Sector
Trevor Dummer
Trevor graduated from Sartell High School and is currently a senior at UMD pursuing a B.B.A in Financial Markets with a Minor in Marketing. This year, Trevor is also participating in the CFA research project in order to get a better understanding of the Financial Analysis of a company. Outside of class, Trevor is a part of the UMD Men's Lacrosse team and will be serving as the Team captain for the 2022-2023 season. Trevor is also an active member of the Investment Club and is serving as the secretary of the club. Trevor currently works for Alloy Insurance as an active Property and Casualty Insurance consultant. Upon graduation, Trevor will be pursuing a career in the Financial services industry.
Dylan Ibarra
Dylan graduated from Centennial High School in 2019, and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Dylan will be graduating in the spring of 2023 with a BBA in Financial Markets and Financial Planning. Dylan is one of two Student Directors for the Financial Markets program. Dylan interned with Fidelity Investments in the summer of 2022 in which he learned more about the Wealth Management career & how Fidelity operates at the branch level. Dylan’s extracurricular activities include participating in the CFA Research Challenge as well as Director of Education for the Investment Club at the University of Minnesota - Duluth. Dylan enjoys spending time with friends and family, out on the golf course, and playing hockey in the winters. After graduation, Dylan will pursue a career in Wealth Management and work towards acquiring his CFP designation.
Sebastian Sullivan
Sebastian graduated from Duluth East High School in 2019, and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He will be graduating in December, 2022 with a B.B.A in Financial Markets-Finance. Over the summer he worked at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, where he was part of the grounds and ice maintenance department. Sebastian enjoys spending his free time mountain biking, downhill skiing, lifting weights and spending time with friends. Throughout his last semester, Sebastian is excited to improve his equity research skills and knowledge of financial analysis. Upon graduation, Sebastian plans to pursue a career in the Financial Services Industry.
Nico Vega
Nico graduated from Saint Thomas Academy in 2019 and is currently a senior at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Nico will graduate in May 2023 with a B.B.A in Financial Markets and a minor in Economics. This year, Nico will be participating in the CFA institute research challenge to gain a better understanding of equity analysis. He is also a supporting officer in the investment club. This past summer, Nico worked at Portu Sunberg as a revenue analyst where he helped process and monitor financials for multiple S&P 500 companies. In his free time, Nico enjoys following Minnesota sports, outdoor activities, spending time with friends and family. Upon graduation, Nico plans on pursuing a career in the Financial Services Industry, as well as pursue a CFA designation or an MBA from a prestigious university.