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
Global Perspectives: MSIS & MSFT Students Bring Diverse Experiences to Campus Posted on October 27, 2025October 28, 2025 by menlocollege Atherton, CA – October 2025 – Our current cohort of Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) and the Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSFT) students exemplifies the power of global collaboration in technology education. With 23 talented students enrolled this year, our programs have attracted future business tech leaders from 12 countries across four continents. This year’s student body represents a truly international community, with students hailing from China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This rich diversity brings varied perspectives on AI, business practices, and innovation to our classrooms, creating a dynamic learning environment that mirrors the interconnected nature of today’s digital economy. Students in our international cohort benefit from the high-touch support model provided by the School of Business Graduate Office. From enrollment through graduation and career placement, students receive personalized guidance tailored to their individual academic and professional goals. Faculty members maintain an open-door approach, creating mentorship relationships that extend beyond traditional classroom interactions and actively supporting students’ research interests and career development aspirations. International students have access to comprehensive professional development resources designed specifically for their unique needs. Through targeted assistance with resume development, interview preparation, networking strategies, and navigation of the U.S. job market, students build the professional competencies necessary for career success. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) opportunities enable students to gain valuable work experience while completing their degrees, allowing them to integrate academic knowledge with real-world application in technology organizations and build their professional portfolios. Our MSIS program, designated as a STEM program, allows international students to benefit from up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization after graduation. This designation highlights the program’s strong technical foundation and significantly enhances graduates’ competitiveness in the technology sector, offering greater flexibility and opportunity to build successful careers in the United States. Learn more about our Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) and the Master of Science in Financial Technology (MSFT). Contact Information: Press 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.
