2025 Honorees

Ivan Hernandez

Finance

Ivan Hernandez came to study in the U.S. to pursue the American Dream. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, he wants to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather of living the American Dream.

At USF, leadership and professional development have been central to his journey. As president of the USF Investment Club, he has a unique perspective to lead and mentor. He's using his experience in private equity and credit to expand opportunities for students.

Hernandez leads the largest student organization on campus, with over 1,900 members. He has focused on expanding the club’s reach and elevating its brand beyond USF. Under his leadership, the club secured over $15,000 in fundraising. That total includes $9,000 for the annual Student Investment Tournament. He transformed the tournament from a Florida-based event into a national competition. Participating schools include the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Georgetown, and the University of Michigan.

Beyond fundraising, Hernandez has prioritized mentorship, resume building, interview preparation, and networking. Those are crucial skills in competitive fields like investment banking and private equity. He also strengthened relationships with top financial firms. He coordinated office visits to Goldman Sachs, Crosstree, and Citi. And help host recruitment events averaging over 150 attendees.

Professionally, he gained extensive experience as an investments intern at Star Mountain Capital. This summer, he will join Sixth Street’s Private Credit team. He will be the second undergraduate from USF to do so. Committed to mentorship, he aims to create pathways for future USF finance students in top-tier financial institutions.