Santander Finance
Fellowship

Adrian Yu is a junior majoring in Economics at The City College of New York. Originally from Brooklyn, he is a proud first-generation college
student with a passion for finance, technology, and economic equity. During the 2025–2026 academic year, Adrian will continue developing
his skills through the Santander Finance Fellowship, where he looks forward to engaging in hands-on projects and mentorship with industry
professionals. He has previously participated in career development programs such as the Braven Fellowship, CCNY Accenture Career Catalyst
Fellowship, and the Blackstone LaunchPad Innovation Challenge. Adrian aspires to pursue a career in financial consulting or corporate strategy, with a focus on helping businesses grow responsibly and inclusively. In his free time, he enjoys driving, playing video games, and hanging
out with friends.

Emiliano Venicio is a senior at The City College of New York majoring in Economics. A first-generation college student from a Mexican household, Emiliano is passionate about financial inclusion, urban development, and the ways economic policy can address inequality in underserved communities. His academic work explores topics such as gentrification, housing affordability, and access to financial services. Outside of his studies, Emiliano enjoys playing and watching soccer—he’s a dedicated FC Barcelona fan—and often spends his free time going to concerts and exploring new cuisines across New York City. He hopes to pursue a career in finance or economic research, aiming to create solutions that make economic systems more equitable and responsive to real-world challenges.

Genesis Araujo is a passionate and dedicated student committed to continuous learning and growth. She is a Junior majoring in Economics and
minoring in Psychology and Public Policy. Genesis has a strong interest in finance and accounting and aspires to pursue a career in a field that truly
inspires her. As a Macaulay Honors student, she enjoys taking on leadership roles and is currently part of the ALPFA E-board as the Secretary. She
was also an intern in the NYC Department for the Aging, where she provided support and resources to older adults. She is an immigrant from Ecuador
and a first-generation college student, and hopes to be a great resource and provide all her knowledge to her community. As well, she hopes that the Santander Fellowship contributes to her expanding knowledge and interest in the Finance field and hopes to make new relationships. Outside of academics, Genesis enjoys solving puzzles, exploring new places to eat and making
sweet recipes.

Ishraq is currently a junior studying financial economics. Hailing from Dhaka, Bangladesh, he immersed himself fully within the Bangladeshi American culture present in Queens and witnessed firsthand the significance of higher education – and the lack thereof. By pursuing his degree, he intends to provide financial counsel to lower-income households and demystify the
economy for its single greatest asset: the working-class minorities all across New York City. When he isn’t learning to serve the community, Ishraq often spends his leisure time reading miscellaneous books ranging from Ender’s Game to The Wings of the Dove, because the only thing more interesting than reading about alien diplomacy is reading about a love triangle designed to steal money from a dying woman.

Janak is a first-generation college student at the City College of New York, majoring in Economics and minoring in Computer Science. Born and raised in Nepal, he stands on his own feet today because of the unwavering support of his family. His journey from the Himalayan foothills to one of the most diverse cities in the world has shaped his passion for finance, technology, and innovation. With a strong interest in becoming a financial or business analyst, he is especially drawn to the future of fintech and the power of AI to transform industries. He sees the Santander Finance Fellowship as a stepping stone to develop his skills, connect with forward-thinking peers, and make meaningful contributions. An aspiring entrepreneur and philanthropist, Janak dreams of building solutions that help every person around
the world. He believes life is truly interesting, we just need to explore it with curiosity and courage.

Javier Pujols is a third-year economics major, classified as a senior based on his credits. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Manhattan since the age of five, he has long been passionate about economic and financial literacy. His interests are focused on building a career in wealth management or financial analysis, motivated by an awareness of economic disadvantages in under-resourced community areas, where his long-term goal is to leverage his skills to drive entrepreneurial development in areas facing economic disadvantage. Outside the classroom, Javier is an avid chess player (currently working to surpass a 1600 Elo rating) and stays active through basketball and running. He also makes a mean smoothie.

Julian Vargas is a junior at The City College of New York, majoring in Economics and Applied Mathematics. He is a first-generation college student from Yonkers, New York, interested in finance and data science. He currently holds two job titles, working as a banquet server and a cashier. Julian hopes to pursue a career that involves quantitative data, technology, and problem-solving in the financial services industry. He is eager to make a positive difference and bring back those with low incomes. In his free time, he is a distance runner with a future goal of qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials. Aside from school and running, Julian also spends time working on coding projects and learning about the applications of artificial intelligence in the real world. Julian loves to learn and work with other people.

Ksenia is a sophomore majoring in Economics. Originally from Russia, she moved to the U.S. at 13 and has always been drawn to competitive environments. Her career interests lie in investment banking and quantitative finance. A former wrestler, Ksenia thrives under pressure and never backs down from a tough situation. This past summer, she spent her time trying out different powerlifting gyms and practicing boxing and mma. Whether it’s sports, academics or corporate life- she’s driven by the desire to win and do better as well as to work on Wall Street by 2027.

Liam McDonald is pursuing a BBA/Finance after completing a Bachelor’s of Music in Classical Percussion Performance at the Manhattan School of Music. He has worked as a freelance musician and is now eager to join the financial services industry. His professional interests include equity research and quantitative analysis.

Marcos is currently a junior majoring in Economics and minoring in Computer Science. He is from Mexico and grew up in NYC, living in Manhattan and now The Bronx. Marcos’ interest in finance stemmed from working with data to solve problems and provide insights. He is still exploring different roles but has had a growing interest in roles like FP&A, Sales and Trading, and Risk Management. Ultimately, he wants to break into finance where he hopes to find a fast-paced environment where he can grow and learn as much as possible, while building meaningful relationships along the way. During his free time, he enjoys sharing good food with others and likes to play soccer.

Michael Bennett is an Economics major at The City College of New York, currently completing his undergraduate degree with two years remaining.
He is deeply passionate about financial markets and aspires to build a career in Investment Banking, where he can help companies grow through strategic financial decisions and capital raising. His interest in finance stems from a desire to understand how capital flows shape economies and how well-structured financial strategies can unlock innovation and long-term value.
Throughout his academic journey at CCNY , Michael has maintained a strong academic record while actively pursuing finance-related enrichment opportunities. He has completed coursework in corporate finance, accounting, and economics, and continues to explore topics such as mergers and acquisitions, equity markets, and financial modeling. These interests are reinforced by his involvement and victory in two business competitions within the SUIT UP program, where he has applied classroom knowledge to practical financial scenarios, creating and pitching products to a board of judges. With a long-term goal of becoming a trusted advisor in the investment banking industry, Michael is particularly drawn to the fast-paced,
analytical, and collaborative environment the field offers. He views finance as a tool not only for driving profit, but for creating economic opportunity and fostering sustainable growth.

Sanjida Sanju is a junior at The City College of New York, majoring in Economics with a concentration in Finance. Originally born and raised in Bangladesh, she is a first-generation college student who has lived in New York for a few years now. Her experience navigating the financial challenges of immigrant life sparked a deep interest in how financial systems affect underserved communities. Sanjida aspires to become a financial analyst, using data and strategy to help organizations make thoughtful, inclusive financial decisions. She actively participates in volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs that have helped her grow personally and professionally. Through the Santander Finance Fellowship, she looks forward to expanding her financial skills and contributing
to a more equitable financial future. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing card games, and exploring different neighborhoods around the
city.

Bobby is a City College of New York junior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, and now based in New York City, he is passionate about finance, business development, and digital marketing.
Bobby hopes to use storytelling and strategic communication to bridge cultural gaps and promote economic opportunity, especially within
underrepresented communities. He has experience building e-commerce brands from the ground up and is particularly interested in how technology can shape more equitable futures. Outside of academics, he enjoys playing and watching sports, exploring new cities, and spending time with friends and family.

Tanjina is a rising senior at The City College of New York, majoring in Economics. As a first-generation Bengali-American student, her
interest in finance stems from witnessing the importance of financial literacy and the impact it has on individuals and communities. She is passionate about creating accessible and ethical financial solutions, particularly through
commercial banking or fintech. Through the Santander Fellowship, Tanjina hopes to strengthen her relationship-building and analytical skills in order to better understand people’s financial needs and contribute to more inclusive financial systems. In her free time, Tanjina enjoys photography, creative writing, and exploring fashion as a form of self-expression. She looks forward to learning, growing, and connecting with others through this opportunity.

Yusuf Lakhi is a driven Economics major with a strong ambition to pursue a career as a financial analyst. Currently a sophomore at The City College of New York, he is enrolled in the Colin Powell School’s accelerated program, through which he aims to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. A first-generation college student, Yusuf draws inspiration from his family’s
journey from India in pursuit of greater opportunities. He is focused on building expertise in financial modeling, risk assessment, and financial analysis, with the goal of contributing meaningfully to the finance industry. Passionate about global perspectives, Yusuf has traveled to over six countries and is committed to making an international impact in his future career.