Event Invitation
Career 'Canes Connect: Business Without the Major
RSVP at the bottom of this page!!!!
Career 'Canes Connect is an initiative by a group of College of Arts and Sciences Cane Navigators to inform students about non-traditional paths to business careers. We will host 6 industry experts in a panel to share insights on networking, overcoming challenges, and finding success without a traditional business background. These experts range from CEOs of Wealth Management Firms to Marketing Directors and AI Engineers. You can find their biographies below.
There will be internship opportunities available from some of our panelists companies, along with free lunch, raffles, and the chance to connect with our panelists 1-on-1.
📅 Date: September 9th
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30PM
📍 Location: Shalala Student Center, Room 304
If you have any questions, please contact Danny Gonzalez Jr. (dxg2805@miami.edu)
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Biographies for our panelists:
Michael Cowan (CEO and Founder, Gardens Wealth Management):
Michael Cowan is the Founder and CEO of Gardens Wealth Management (GWM), an independent firm managing over $5 billion in assets. Under his leadership, GWM has earned top rankings from Forbes, including #96 on America’s Top Wealth Management Teams. With over 25 years of experience, he founded GWM to provide highly personalized financial advisory services. Previously, he worked at UBS and Citigroup before establishing GWM in 2009.
Dominic Sicilian, (Applied AI and Machine Learning Data Scientist, JPMorganChase):
Dominic is an Applied AI and Machine Learning Data Scientist at JPMorganChase. At UM, his interest in the Universe led him to earn a BS in Physics and Philosophy, an MS in Physics, and a PhD in Physics. His PhD research involved studying dark matter and supermassive black holes through a data-driven approach to X-ray astrophysics, which paved the way for his career in data science. He now uses the skills and experience he gained at UM to innovate and uncover new insights at one of the world’s largest investment banks.
Carly Klein (Senior Director of Marketing, El Car Wash):
Carly Klein is the Senior Director of Marketing at El Car Wash and a proud South Florida native. A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in Communication, she has spent the past decade shaping her career in marketing and, for the last three years, has played a key role in driving the growth and brand evolution of El Car Wash. In her role, Carly leads grand opening initiatives, strategic partnerships, community relations, social media, advertising, and public relations. She is passionate about creativity, building authentic relationships, and giving back to the community while helping lead the next generation of marketing innovation in the business world.
David Carpenter (Senior Partner, AO Globe Life):
David, age 30, is a standout performer at AO Globe Life, part of Globe Life American Income Division, one of the largest providers of supplemental life and health insurance to working families in the U.S. and Canada. Without attending college, he built a thriving career over eight years, becoming a seven figure earner, mentoring more than 20 six figure earners and managers, and generating 9 million dollars in sales last year alone. Beyond business success, David has made lasting personal impact by buying his mom her dream home, paying off her family’s debts, and employing his mom on his team.
Matthew Fernandez, Director of Annual Giving, (Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation):
Matthew serves as the Director of Annual Giving at Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, where he oversees comprehensive fundraising campaigns, strengthens donor engagement, and builds the major gifts pipeline. A proud Miami native and first-generation college graduate, he has held leadership roles at the University of Miami, Michigan State University, and Florida International University. Matthew earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Miami and brings more than a decade of experience advancing philanthropy and creating opportunities that empower students and strengthen communities.