Cindy Ambriz will be a junior at Illinois Institute of Technology, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in Little Village and graduated from World Language High School. Her interests include promoting STEM education, community advocacy, and mentorship. Her career goal is to become a software engineer focused on building inclusive technologies that empower underserved communities.

Mateusz Boksa will be a sophomore at DePaul University, majoring in Finance. He grew up in Schaumburg and graduated from Schaumburg High School. His interests include soccer, skiing, tennis, and all things business. His career goal is to become a financial advisor or planner, to help individuals and families reach their financial goals in life.

Cristian Brenes will be a senior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Accounting. He grew up in Rolling Meadows, Illinois and graduated from William Fremd High School. His interests include running, playing soccer, watching movies, and forensic accounting. His career goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant and work in public accounting.

Tristan Caldwell will be a senior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Information Science. He grew up in Bolingbrook and graduated from Plainfield East High School. His interests include designing, creating digital experiences, and playing music. His career goal is to gain hands on business experience in the IT industry.

Leslye Carrasco will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Finance with a minor in Data Analytics. She grew up in Cicero and graduated from J. Sterling Morton East High School. Her interests include experimenting with new pastry recipes and learning languages. Her career goal is to become an auditor to ensure financial transparency and eventually open her own café.

Camila Crespo will be a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, majoring in Business and Technology with concentrations in Finance and Information Systems. She grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey and graduated from Paramus Catholic High School. Her interests include traveling, reading, and art history. Her career goal is to pursue an MBA and work globally.

Reena Das will be a sophomore at Illinois Institute of Technology, majoring in Computer and Cybersecurity Engineering. She grew up in Chennai, South India and graduated from Shree Niketan High School. Her interests include talking to incoming college students, writing in her diary, learning new words, and also surfing opportunities available. Her career goal is to work as a cybersecurity analyst, and further then start a high school or learning center

Ali El-Hindi will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Finance. He grew up in Melrose Park and graduated from West Leyden High School. His interests include playing and following basketball, weight lifting, expanding his knowledge of the world of business/accounting, and getting involved with extracurriculars/volunteer work. His career goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant and work as an auditor at an accounting firm after completing the 150 credit hours required to sit for the Certified Public Accounting exam by May 2026. He is considering pursuing a JD/MBA dual-degree program after completing his Bachelor’s Degree to combine his interests in law with his professional aspirations in the business world.

Aylin Erdal will be a junior at Stevens Institute of Technology, majoring in Business & Technology. She grew up in Green Brook, New Jersey and graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School. Her interests include finance, python coding, hybrid training, nutrition, podcasts and fashion. Her career goal is to dive deep into the finance world and make an impact on the financial decisions of people that will bring them ultimate success.

Olamiji Fabamigbe will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, double majoring in Information & Decision Sciences and Management. She grew up in Markham, Illinois and graduated from Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. Her interests include trying different foods, watching movies, and playing volleyball. Her career goal is to be a technology consultant and her long-term goal is to start her own business.

Hafsa Feroz will be a junior at DePaul University, majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Development and a minor in Data Science. She grew up in Skokie, Illinois, and graduated from Niles North High School. Her interests include community building, digital design, and exploring the intersection of technology and social impact. Her career goal is to use technology to create accessible solutions that improve people’s lives!

Francisco (Frankie) Gomez will be a junior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Finance. He grew up in Archer Heights and currently resides in Oak Lawn, graduating from Oak Lawn Community High School. His interests include going to the gym, reading, running, and cars. His long-term career goal is to build a successful career in finance, not only to create generational impact for his own family, but also to serve as a resource and mentor. He hopes to be a beacon of hope by breaking barriers, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others to pursue opportunities that may have once felt out of reach.

Leslie Gonzalez will be a senior at Northern Illinois University, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in Montgomery, Illinois and graduated from Oswego High School. Her interests include running, gaming, and reading. Her career goal is to become a software developer.

Shria Halkoda will be a junior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in the northern Chicago suburbs and graduated from Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. Her interests include connecting with others over shared passions for cars, couture, media, finance, and social entrepreneurship. Her career goal is to build her skillset as a machine learning engineer at an industry-forward tech company before taking the leap to start her own ML solutions firm servicing the small businesses in her community.

Babak Hatami will be a senior at DePaul University, majoring in Finance. He grew up in Edgewater, Chicago, and graduated from Lane Tech High School. His interests include weightlifting, investing, and investment club. His career goal is to become a financial analyst, leveraging his skills and interests to contribute to the financial sector and make informed investment decisions to help communities improve their financial well-being.

Abby Hernandez will be a sophomore at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Finance with a minor in Sociology. She grew up in Bensenville, Illinois and graduated from Fenton High School. Her interests include baking, playing saxophone, and attending her internship at the State Attorney’s Office. Her career goal is to become an attorney.

William Ileka will be a senior at DePaul University, majoring in Computer Science. He grew up in Lynwood, Illinois and graduated from T.F. South High School. His interests include programming, robotics, and gaming. His career goal is to become a software engineer.

Nataly Jimenez-Cruz will be a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in Lodi, NJ and graduated from Lodi High School. Her interests include discovering new music, exploring new places and working out. Her career goal is to create technology that solves real-world problems as an AI and machine learning engineer.

Hemam Kassahun will be a junior at DePaul University, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and graduated from One Planet International School. Her interests include spending time with friends and family, sightseeing, and creative writing. Her career goal is to explore different areas of computer science and technology, with the long-term goal of becoming an entrepreneur.

Diana Kopestynska will be a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Spanish. She came from Ukraine at 7 years old and grew up in River Grove and graduated from Palatine High School. Her interests include exploring new hobbies and activities, painting, watching movies, and traveling. Her career goal is to make people's lives easier whether through financial guidance and accounting, or consulting.

Filip Lipovski will be a sophomore at DePaul University, double majoring in Finance and Accounting. He grew up in Belgrade, Serbia and graduated from Chicago Math & Science Academy. His interests include sports, swimming, and working out. His career goal is to work his way through finance companies until he gets enough knowledge and resources to open his own hedge fund, or to become a CPA.

Alyssa Lopez will be a senior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Finance and Data Science. She grew up in De Pue, Illinois and graduated from De Pue High School. Her interests include hiking, crocheting, and reading. Her career goal is to work as a financial analyst and return to school to do a PhD in finance. 

Blythe Madera will be a junior at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Accounting and Data Science. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Whitney Young Magnet High School. Her interests include reading, listening to music, playing board games, and spending time with her siblings. Her career goal is to become a CPA working in one of the Big Four.

Yvette Mensah will be a junior at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Accounting and Information Systems & Analytics. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loyola Academy. Her interests include exploring new cultural foods, learning new coding skills and spending time in nature. Her career goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and promote financial literacy to those in need.

Luis Miranda will be a junior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Finance. He grew up in Chicago and graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School. His interests include trading assets such as stocks, commodities, currencies, and options. His career goal is to become a full-time trader and market analyst.

Brianna Negron will be a graduate student at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Business Analytics. She grew up in Chicago and graduated from John Hancock High School. Her interests include going to concerts, traveling, and crafts. Her career goal is to use her data analytics and research skills to enhance performance at a major tech company.

Valeria Pintor will be a sophomore at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, majoring in Finance. She grew up in Brighton park and graduated from Back of the Yards. Her interests include swimming, movies, books, manga, and water polo. Her career goal is to own a business.

Tereza Progri will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Finance and Psychology. She grew up in Oak Forest, Illinois, and graduated from Oak Forest High School. Her interests include playing pickleball, exploring new cafes, and engaging in mental health advocacy initiatives. Her career goal is to become a financial advisor who works to promote financial literacy and help individuals build long-term economic stability.

Lylli Rodriguez will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, double majoring in Accounting and Information Decision Sciences. She grew up in Wood Dale and graduated from Fenton High School. Her interests include photography, running, and strength training. Her career goal is to become a CPA.

Melise Sever will be a sophomore at Stevens Institute of Technology, majoring in Computer Science. She grew up in North Arlington and graduated from Noble Leadership Academy. Her interests include baking, gymnastics, mathematics, driving, and exploring new places. Her career goal is to be a Quantitative Trader.

Iman Sheikh will be a senior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Accounting. She grew up in Elk Grove Village and graduated from James B. Conant High School. Her interests include voluFiker Yonathan Shimels will be a senior at DePaul University, majoring in Accounting and Data Science. She grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and graduated from Ethio-Parents’ High School. Her interests include guitar, piano, drums, soccer, basketball, cooking, gardening, reading and chess. Her career goal is to become a CPA and make a significant contribution to the field of accounting and analytics.nteering, coding, and traveling. Her career goal is to become a CPA and work at one of the Big 4 accounting firms.

Fiker Yonathan Shimels will be a senior at DePaul University, majoring in Accounting and Data Science. She grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and graduated from Ethio-Parents’ High School. Her interests include guitar, piano, drums, soccer, basketball, cooking, gardening, reading and chess. Her career goal is to become a CPA and make a significant contribution to the field of accounting and analytics.

Miya Shlapak will be a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Accounting. She grew up in Buffalo Grove and graduated from Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Her interests include reading, skiing and knitting. Her career goals are to work at a well-respected firm where she can make meaningful impacts by helping others, continue to grow professionally, and find enjoyment in the work she does.

Muskaan Thapar will be a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, majoring in Quantitative Finance. She grew up in Sayreville, NJ and graduated from Saint John Vianney High School. Her interests include playing tennis and pickleball, poker, drawing mandalas and calligraphy, and traveling. Her career goal is to pursue a role in quantitative trading, where she can combine market intuition with data-driven strategies to generate alpha.

David Valverio will be a junior at University of Illinois at Chicago, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Finance. He grew up in Addison, Illinois, and graduated from Addison Trail High School. His interests include playing tennis, videography, and going to the gym. His career goal is to pass the CPA and go into public accounting at one of the Big Four Companies.

Edgardo Ventura will be a junior at Illinois Institute of Technology, majoring in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. He grew up in Bolingbrook and graduated from Plainfield East. His interests include game development, reading, cooking, art, numbers, horticulture, and philosophy. His career goal is to become a nuclear propulsion officer.

Thomas Zaborenko will be a junior at DePaul University, majoring in Mathematics. He grew up in Glenview and graduated from Glenbrook South High School. His interests include research, technology, racquet sports, trading, and games. His career goal is to be a fintech entrepreneur.