Purdue University Northwest welcomed back esteemed alumni Napoleon Brandford III (BA ’74) and DeJon Gonzalez (BS ’16) on Sept. 14 for “American Dream Realized,” a fireside-chat style conversation spotlighting their personal journeys to the fast-paced financial world of Wall Street. The pair spoke to PNW students and offered their advice for how to begin successful professional careers.
“Information is the name of the game,” said Brandford. “Build a foundation of knowledge, and expand it through networking. Information accumulates through those interactions with other professionals and leaders.”
Brandford co-founded Siebert Brandford Shank, Inc., which would become the No. 8 public finance firm on Wall Street in 2010 and, at the time, the largest Black- and woman-owned investment firm on Wall Street.
Brandford etched his place in Indiana high school sports history as a starting center for the 1970 East Chicago Roosevelt state championship boys’ basketball team and notching All-American honors and records as a freshman for the University of Nevada men’s basketball team. A career-ending injury in his sophomore season brought him back to Northwest Indiana, where he earned a degree in political science from PNW in 1974.
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Gonzalez, a Gary native, earned his degree in accounting and finance from PNW. He currently serves as a principal and equity portfolio manager at Mercer’s Chief Investment Office in New York. His previous career stops included finance and consulting roles with BlackRock, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and KPMG.
Gonzalez and Brandford urged PNW students to start building professional networks that cultivate mentors, advocates and work opportunities. Gonzalez credits his own mentoring relationship with Brandford for contributing to his personal growth and success.
“Take initiative, knock on the door and put your hand out to meet others and find those connections,” Gonzalez said. “All of those interactions begin to snowball, and you build relationships with mentors and sponsors. You never know where that thread you weave can take you.”
Napoleon Brandford and his wife, Sharon, also were recognized with a lobby dedication ceremony in PNW’s Fitness and Recreation Center for their extraordinary support of opportunities for PNW student-athletes.
Napoleon and Sharon Brandford III, center, help cut the ribbon on Sept. 14 for a newly dedicated lobby inside Purdue University Northwest’s Fitness and Recreation Center. Also pictured, from left, are Chief Engagement Officer Matthew Wells; Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton; Chancellor Kenneth C. Holford; Director of Athletics Rick Costello; and Women’s Basketball Coach Chris Vincent.
