Brandon Arnold and Luis Felipe Jarrin have been awarded the 2024–2025 Columbia University Wealth Management Advancing Diversity Fellowship. Now in its third year, the fellowship is a significant opportunity to advance the careers of talented professionals who have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the wealth management industry and may have experienced and overcome adversity.
The Wealth Management Advancing Diversity Fellowship has been made possible through the generous support of Hightower Advisors, LLC, highlighting their commitment to advancing diversity within the industry as well as from alumni and other supporters of the program.
“We feel privileged to provide this fellowship opportunity for exceptional wealth management professionals like Brandon and Luis, who bring rich and varied perspectives to their clients and the industry as a whole,” said Hightower chairman and CEO Bob Oros.
This month, Brandon and Luis joined the 30 other students in their cohort at Columbia’s Morningside campus to participate in a three-day, in-person residency program that allowed new students to meet and build community with their fellow Columbia SPS peers, faculty, and staff.
“We are delighted to welcome Brandon and Luis as this year’s Wealth Management Advancing Diversity Fellows,” said Tracy Schwartz, the Master of Professional Studies in Wealth Management’s senior program director. “Both were stellar candidates among a group of very strong applicants, and I’m eager to see what they will contribute to this year’s Wealth Management cohort.”
Born and raised in Middletown, Connecticut, Brandon Arnold attended St. Lawrence University, where he double majored in business and government, graduating cum laude. After graduation, Brandon began his career as a surety bond underwriter at The Hartford before transitioning to his current role as an associate wealth advisor at The Colony Group.
Brandon’s passion for wealth management was sparked by his interest in personal finance and desire to directly help people achieve their financial goals, and plans to leverage the opportunities provided by the Advancing Diversity Fellowship to further his impact in the industry.
“Receiving the Advancing Diversity Fellowship is an immense honor, and I am thrilled to join Columbia University's Masters in Wealth Management program,” said Brandon. “This unique opportunity will serve as a strong foundation for my career, and I'm eager to learn from the program's distinguished faculty and engage with my talented peers.”
Luis Felipe Jarrin was born in Quito, Ecuador, and moved to the U.S. in 2016. He began his career in financial services as a personal banker at U.S. Bank, and honed his financial research and analytical skills as part of a NASA Startup program. After earning his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Luis joined Goldman Sachs as a financial analyst, providing comprehensive financial planning to top-tier clients. Today, Luis works as a senior wealth strategy associate at UBS Financial Services Inc.
Coming to Columbia, Luis hopes to harness the collective expertise of the University to help create a more equitable and accessible financial landscape for the Latino community.
“The Columbia Wealth Management program presents an invaluable opportunity for me to propel my professional goals to new heights,” said Luis. “Through this program, I envision a transformative journey of growth, collaboration, and innovation that will not only advance my personal aspirations but also contribute meaningfully to the broader Latin American community.”
“As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I am fueled by a sense of purpose and a commitment to effecting positive change,” he added. “I am eager to leverage the knowledge, skills, and insights gained through my experiences to contribute meaningfully to Columbia University's program and beyond.”
About the Program
A 16-month online program with asynchronous instruction, specially designed to accommodate working professionals, Columbia University’s Master of Professional Studies in Wealth Management program is taught by distinguished faculty with deep, applied experience in their respective fields. Additionally, it is a CFP Board Registered Program designed to help students meet the educational requirements for CFP® certification.
About the Fellowship
Columbia University's Wealth Management Advancing Diversity Fellowship is designed to retain and help accelerate the careers of high-caliber professionals who have a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the wealth management industry and may have experienced and overcome adversity. To fund the fellowship, please contact spsgiving [[at]] columbia [[dot]] edu (spsgiving[at]columbia[dot]edu) for more information.
