DIVERSITAS SEPTEMBER FORUM-What I Wish I Had Known: Before I Accepted My Wealth Management Internships

WHEN: Monday, September 12, 2022 – 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST

WHERE: Online

COST: Free, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors.

Raelynn Grasso, PhD, Career Advising Specialist at University of Maryland Global Campus (Moderator)

Raelynn F. Grasso is a Career Advising Specialist at the University of Maryland Global Campus. She has experience leading and providing individual, group, and career counseling, as well as executing and developing programs to enhance college student enrichment. Additionally, Ms. Grasso’s area of research includes career decision-making, epistemic cognition, self-efficacy, and college student development. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah, an M.S. and a PhD in Educational Psychology, both from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Matt Korn, Senior Manager & Program Coordinator, Campus Talent Advisors, Charles Schwab & Co.

Matt Korn is a Sr. Campus Talent Advisor at Charles Schwab where he has worked as part of the Early Career Talent Team for nearly 3 ½ years. He is based out of the Austin, TX service center and owns the relationships with Schwab’s central Texas partner schools which include his alma mater Texas State University as well as Texas A&M University and UT Austin. In addition to college campus recruiting, he also leads all Schwab intern recruiting and intern conversion efforts. He previously worked for a research and development company based out of San Antonio, TX where he was part of the Talent Acquisition team focusing on campus recruitment and has been in the recruiting space for nearly 10 years.

Zenniere Bowry-Thomas, Chief of Staff & Intern Manager at Nationwide Retirement Institute

Zennière’s professional experience includes leading Nationwide’s Leadership Rotation Programs in the Office of Talent Acquisition, where she had responsibility for identifying diverse, high potential talent and planning leadership development experiences to prepare participants for critical roles across Nationwide. She also has expertise in audit and risk mitigation strategies having spent 10 years in the Office of Internal Audit. Zennière began her career as an accountant and auditing professional with a Coca-Cola Bottler and with PricewaterhouseCoopers, respectively. Zennière earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She has been a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for 16 years and teaches non-traditional students in accounting and risk management as a part-time adjunct instructor at Franklin University.

Jesse W. Hurst, CFP®, AIF® Certified Financial Planner & Financial Advisor & Hiring Manager at Impel Wealth Management

Jesse founded Impel Wealth Management out of a desire to help individuals and families “move life forward” through meaningful conversations, comprehensive planning and sound financial advice.

With more than 30 years’ experience in the financial planning industry, he leverages his deep knowledge and expertise to help our clients in the areas of investment portfolio management, retirement income planning and estate planning.

As both a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®, Jesse focuses on building meaningful relationships with his clients – getting to know their goals, desires and financial history. Then, he creates a custom roadmap designed to help them reach their ideal financial future.

After majoring in finance at The University of Akron, Jesse began his career as a financial advisor in 1987. He became a founding partner of Millennial Group in 1997, focused on helping people successfully pursue their retirement goals. After founding Impel in 2017, Jesse developed a partnership with Horizon Advisor Network, a national enterprise group providing regulatory and operational support to over 50 advisors in 16 offices across the country. He also leads the network’s investment management committee.

Since 2018, Jesse has been honored to be named a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for the State of Ohio by Forbes Magazine.¹ In 2021, he was also named a Notable Wealth Manager² by Crain’s Cleveland Business for providing ethical, honest and productive financial management and financial planning. Additionally, Jesse has served as president of the Financial Planning Association’s Northeast Ohio Chapter, and has served on Cetera Advisors’ President’s Advisory Council since 2004.

Jesse is also deeply involved in community service. His previous positions include president of the board of Heart-to-Heart Communications; president of the board of Open M Ministries; president of the board of Weathervane Community Playhouse; treasurer of the board of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy; president of the board of the Stow-Munroe Falls Chamber of Commerce; and president of the board of Cornerstone Community School. Jesse was also the president for Class 22 of Leadership Akron. He currently serves on the professional advisory councils of both the Akron Community Foundation and the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation. He also serves on the boards of the United Way of Summit and Medina Counties and the Soap Box Derby. 

Jesse and his wife Rachel reside in Stow. They have three children, Shane, Zach and Sedona.

Jesús Zepeda Castro, Student at Arizona State University, Former Intern & Client Services Associate at Sonmore Financial

Jesús Zepeda Castro began his career in the financial services industry in January 2020. During this time, he has accrued knowledge of the day-to-day operations of boutique RIA firms and of the planning process. Jesús, is particularly interested in the areas of tax planning, estate planning, and charitable gifting strategies.

Jesús, is currently preparing himself to take part two of the Special Enrollment Examination after successfully passing parts one and three. Following graduation in May 2023, Jesús, aspires to become a CFP(r) professional and work as an advisor at Sonmore Financial.