Finance Hybrid Conference Connects Menlo Students with Industry Leaders Posted on October 9, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College welcomed academics, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and students to the fourth annual Finance Hybrid Conference (FHC 4.0), exploring how fintech, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies are reshaping finance and real estate. Held on Menlo’s Atherton campus and online, the conference featured keynotes, panels, and fireside chats connecting students with professionals at the forefront of these industries. Helen Chong, founder and CEO of Silicon Valley-based HAYLEN, speaks during Menlo College’s FHC 4.0. Chong is a real estate leader, entrepreneur, mentor, and author of Power to Change Lives. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Venture capitalist Bill Reichert, General Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures, delivers a keynote at Menlo College’s FHC 4.0, sharing insights from his work investing in early-stage technologies and advising entrepreneurs. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Christina Bui, Vice President of Managed Business Solutions at Robert Half & Protiviti, shares industry insights with Menlo College students during FHC 4.0. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Keynote speakers Bill Reichert of Pegasus Tech Ventures, Kirsten Rhodes of Deloitte, and Christina Bui of Robert Half shared insights from venture capital, professional services, and the evolving workplace. A Real Estate & Technology panel featured Darwin Ling of Good AI Capital, Alina Aeby of the Silicon Valley Proptech Association, and Martin Kirkwood of Estate Legend. Fireside conversations with Prof. Iftekhar Hasan of Fordham University, James Wang of Creative Ventures, Prof. Faten Ben Bouheni of Menlo College, and Dr. Jacques Benkoski of U.S. Venture Partners expanded the discussion across academia, venture capital, and innovation. The Real Estate Market Outlook panel brought practical industry experience to the conversation with real estate leader John McNellis and Menlo alumnus Chop Keenan ’66. Menlo College student Juliette Chabrier moderated the discussion, drawing on McNellis’ book, Making It in Real Estate, to help guide the conversation. “Moderating the panel gave me the opportunity to learn directly from professionals who have spent decades navigating the real estate industry. Reading Making It in Real Estate helped me prepare thoughtful questions, but hearing John McNellis and Chop Keenan share their experiences brought those lessons to life and gave me insights I can carry into my own career,” said Chabrier. Menlo College student Juliette Chabrier, left, moderates the Real Estate Market Outlook panel as John McNellis, center, speaks and Menlo alumnus Chop Keenan ’66, right, listens during FHC 4.0. Menlo College student Juliette Chabrier moderates the Real Estate Market Outlook panel during FHC 4.0, bringing a student perspective to a discussion with industry leaders. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Copies of Making It in Real Estate by John McNellis are displayed during the Real Estate Market Outlook panel at Menlo College’s FHC 4.0 Finance Hybrid Conference. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Now in its fourth year, FHC is led by Prof. Dr. Faten Ben Bouheni, Ph.D., HDR, who designed the conference to bring academia and industry together while giving students an active role in the exchange. “The Finance Hybrid Conference was created to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Seeing researchers, founders, investors, and our students exchange ideas in the same room is exactly what this conference is about,” said Ben Bouheni, organizer and chair of the Finance Hybrid Conference. “What makes FHC special is our students. They moderated every session, engaged with industry leaders, and showed the real-world, hands-on learning that defines Menlo College.” Prof. Dr. Faten Ben Bouheni, organizer and chair of Menlo College’s Finance Hybrid Conference, participates in a discussion during FHC 4.0. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College Guest speakers and student planners gather at the conclusion of Menlo College’s FHC 4.0 Finance Hybrid Conference, held in the Student Union on Sept. 25, 2026. Photo: Miranda Canniff / Menlo College FHC 4.0 reflects Menlo College’s Future Ready Now approach by putting students at the center of conversations about where their fields are headed. By engaging with industry leaders, asking questions, and helping lead discussions, students build the knowledge, professional connections, and practical experience that prepare them to turn what they learn into career impact. About Menlo College Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu
Menlo College Earns Three 2027 Research.com Awards for Marketing and Finance Posted on September 3, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College has earned three 2027 recognitions from Research.com, highlighting the College’s Marketing and Finance programs for their popularity and value among California degree programs. The honors recognize Menlo College with the Most Popular Marketing in California, Most Valuable Marketing in California, and Most Valuable Finance in California awards. Menlo was also recognized among the 2027 Most Popular Colleges in California by Research.com. The recognitions reflect Menlo’s focus on preparing students to be Future Ready Now through a business education that connects classroom learning with practical experience, internships, professional connections, and opportunities in the heart of Silicon Valley. Menlo College has earned three 2027 Research.com honors, recognizing its Marketing program among the Most Popular and **Most Valuable in California** and its Finance program among the Most Valuable in California. Menlo College’s Bachelor of Science in Marketing earned both the Most Popular Marketing in California and Most Valuable Marketing in California awards. In Research.com’s 2027 Most Popular Marketing Degree Programs Ranking in California, Menlo ranks No. 10 in the state. “I am delighted to see Menlo College’s marketing program receive this recognition. It speaks to the growing interest in our distinctive, forward-looking approach to business education, one that emphasizes humanity, ethics, and social responsibility while rapidly integrating emerging technologies and evolving business practices. We equip students with essential skills in critical thinking and analysis and encourage them to be bold, creative, and innovative. Just as importantly, we foster a deeply supportive culture in which students are known, valued, and supported both inside and outside the classroom.” — Lan Jiang, PhD, Professor of Marketing 2027 Most Popular Marketing Degree Programs Ranking in California 2027 Most Valuable Marketing Degree Programs Ranking in California Menlo’s Finance program also earned the Most Valuable Finance in California award, recognizing a program that combines a foundation in financial markets, investments, corporate finance, and financial decision-making with opportunities for experiential learning. “A strong finance education should give students more than an understanding of financial concepts. It should prepare them to apply those concepts to real decisions and real challenges. At Menlo, our students build analytical skills, gain practical experience, and benefit from our connections to Silicon Valley and the Bay Area business community, preparing them to enter their careers Future Ready Now.” — Manish Tewari, Ph.D., Professor of Finance 2027 Most Valuable Finance Degree Programs Ranking in California Research.com is a university ranking platform designed to help students make informed decisions about their education. Its 2027 rankings draw on data from sources including Peterson, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and College Scorecard, considering factors such as educational quality, affordability, popularity, and time to degree. Together, the recognitions highlight the strength and value of Menlo’s business education and its emphasis on helping students develop the knowledge, practical experience, and professional skills to be Future Ready Now. Media inquiries: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu
Menlo College Sweeps 2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge Posted on February 24, 2026February 26, 2026 by George Retelas ATHERTON, CA – Menlo College proudly hosted the 2026 CFA Institute Research Challenge – Northern California Finals, welcoming 19 teams from 13 universities across the Bay Area for a full day of rigorous financial analysis and professional competition. Menlo College team presenting in Brawner Hall. Often referred to as the “Investment Olympics,” the CFA Institute Research Challenge brings together top finance students to conduct in-depth equity research and present investment recommendations before senior industry professionals. This year’s competition centered on a comprehensive analysis of Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a San Francisco-headquartered company. Hayley Narahar, Martin Fiala, Marc Hegel, and Donvan Kerr with their trophy. After advancing through a highly competitive preliminary round, the students representing Menlo College, Haley Narahara, Martin Fiala, Marc Hegele, and Donovan Kerr delivered an exceptional final presentation and emerged as Northern California Champions. They will now advance to the Western U.S. Regional Finals in April, with the opportunity to compete at the Global Finals in Hong Kong in May. The event brought together 13 colleges and universities, including Chico State, Cal State East Bay, Cal State Fresno, Dominican University, Golden Gate University, Menlo College, St. Mary’s College, Sacramento State, San Francisco State, San Jose State, UC Santa Cruz, University of Nevada – Reno, and University of San Francisco. In total, six MBA teams and thirteen undergraduate finance teams participated, with more than 100 student competitors presenting before senior investment professionals and CFA charter holders serving as judges. The day also featured an inspiring keynote address by Menlo College Trustee Jim Davlin, whose remarks on ethical leadership, discipline in capital markets, and long-term value creation resonated strongly with students and faculty alike. Jim Davlin, Hayley Narahar, Martin Fiala, Mouwafac Sidaoui, Marc Hegel, Donvan Kerr, Manish Tewari, and Faten Ben Bouheni. Dr. Mouwafac Sidaoui, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Menlo College, emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship, stating: “We were honored to partner with the CFA San Francisco team to host this prestigious competition at Menlo College, reflecting our strong commitment to experiential learning and academic excellence. I am grateful to Trustee Jim Davlin for his inspiring keynote and proud of Professor Manish Tewari and our outstanding students, whose analytical rigor, professionalism, and teamwork demonstrate the strength of our Finance program.” Finance Professor Manish Tewari, serving in his sixth year as Faculty CFA Team Advisor, added: “Menlo College’s continued success in the CFA Challenge reflects the strength and rigor of our Finance program. For more than a decade, our students have competed alongside top universities in this prestigious competition, consistently demonstrating exceptional analytical skill, professionalism, and teamwork. As I enter my sixth year as CFA Faculty Team Advisor, I am proud that Menlo teams have become a respected and competitive presence across the Northern California region.” For more than a decade, Menlo College students have consistently distinguished themselves among leading institutions at the CFA Challenge. The 2026 victory reinforces the School of Business’s commitment to preparing students for leadership roles in investment management, financial analysis, and capital markets. Menlo College congratulates its winning team and looks forward to cheering them on at the Western U.S. Regional Finals, and on to the global stage. Media Contact: pr@menlo.edu About Menlo College: Menlo College is a small private, nonprofit college founded in 1927 with a mission to “ignite potential and educate students to make meaningful contributions in the innovation economy.” Situated in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College offers undergraduate degrees in business and psychology, as well as three graduate degrees: a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Science in Financial Technology, and a Master of Arts in Sport and Performance Psychology. Menlo is designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving (AANAPISI) Institution.
Aaron Santillan ’03 Joins the Board of Menlo College Posted on February 9, 2023January 27, 2025 by Kauahoa Hermosura Aaron Santillan ‘03 first joined the Menlo College community as an international student from Mexico and a member of the Men’s Basketball team. Throughout graduate school and his employment at VISA, over the decades Santillan has continued to engage with the College in important ways. Now, Menlo is honored to announce that he continues to strengthen his engagement by joining the Menlo College Board of Trustees. “I’ve always seen Menlo as a ‘choose your adventure’ place. Students can take advantage of Menlo’s unique faculty-to-student ratio, its location in the heart of Silicon Valley, and a genuine commitment to the Students from everyone, starting with President Weiner,“ said Aaron. 2001-2002 Menlo College Men’s Basketball Team Staying Connected to Menlo for More Than 20 Years Since his time as a student, Aaron and his family have remained closely connected to the College. He and his wife, Eda Cano, are heartfelt supporters of Menlo College basketball, Santillan’s sport during his time as an Oak. Aaron and his family frequently attend home and away games, and generously make their home a welcoming place for the teams. As Aaron observed, “As a student, athletics provide discipline, competition, camaraderie, and lifelong friends.” Aaron also provides guidance as a member of the advisory board for Menlo’s Academic Program in Finance. His valuable reflections on the needs and desires of the industry have led to refinements in Menlo’s curriculum in ways that help students secure internships and jobs. Choosing Menlo for the Future Generation Most recently, Santillan became a Menlo College parent, adding to his affinity for the College. His son Alexander (pictured above) joined the Class of 2025 in the fall, and is currently spending his Sophomore year in Japan. “As a parent, I cannot ask for better. Alexander is not only encouraged to come up with lofty goals, he is encouraged and provided with the tools to pursue them while having faculty and friends that sincerely want him to succeed,” he said. Santillan Represents the Best of Menlo; College Expands on DEI Commitment “In many ways, Aaron is a model alumnus and ideal trustee,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “With his valuable professional experience, his continuous service to our academic and athletic programs, and now as a parent to Alexander, Aaron brings broad and deep knowledge, as well as a vital perspective. His participation will undoubtedly ensure the College is prepared to guide our students to become even more successful as we approach our second century. This important appointment reflects how Menlo College continues to activate its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at all levels and across the community.” After graduating from Menlo College in 2003, Aaron received a Master’s of Science (MS) degree in Information Systems from the University of San Francisco. And after a couple ventures, he joined VISA in 2006, beginning as a Pricing Analyst. Santillan now serves as Vice President / Head of US Interchange Pricing Strategy. Eda and Aaron have two children: Alexander (19), who is currently attending Menlo College as a member of the class of 2025, and Luka (3), who attended his first Menlo Oaks’ basketball game at 4 weeks old! Read More: Honoring Outstanding Oaks at 3,000+ In-Person OAKtoberFest 2022Menlo College Honored as an NAIA Champions of Character Five Star InstitutionMenlo College Designated as Hispanic and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institution
