“Ever since I was 12-years-old, I’ve had a love and passion for investing,” explains Brian Sullivan. Brian received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Duquesne in 1982. He is currently Central Region Director for Putnam Investments. Brian also serves on the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Investment Center Advisory Council as well as the University’s Board of Directors and the Investment Committee.

“I attribute my passion for investing to early experiences with my father. My dad was a banker in New York City. At a young age, I remember so clearly how he taught my brother and me to invest. After some discussion, he provided copies of the Wall Street Journal and asked us to develop a phantom stock portfolio. The one who had a better return after six months would receive money to start an investment account.”

Brian smiles as he remembers winning his father’s challenge, and at just 12-years-old, having his first brokerage account, buying and selling stocks. Stemming from these childhood experiences, Brian was certain that he wanted his future to be in finance and investments. Studying finance at Duquesne, he built a solid foundation of knowledge in the financial markets, economics, and investing.

According to Brian, “Duquesne made me what I am today.” Thirty-three years later, he says Duquesne was a springboard for his career in the investment field. Though Duquesne has contributed to his success, Brian acknowledged a lack of opportunity in real world investing during his time as a student. “I learned and built paper portfolios, but there were no hands-on experiences that really gave me an understanding of how the financial markets, the stock markets, and the bond markets really worked.”

Today, the School’s Investment Center introduces students to a wide variety of technologies that are used by investment professionals around the world. Having real-time access to worldwide stock, bond, commodity, futures, currency and options data, students and faculty conduct a variety of analytical projects and research.

Brian understands and eagerly supports experiential learning. His generous donation will support our partnership with BlueTree Allied Angels here in Pittsburgh. These funds will help give students in entrepreneurial finance the ability to invest in startups through BlueTree, starting in spring, 2016. “I needed to pay it forward; the support of our alumni is the foundation for Duquesne and the foundation for the future,” he said.