Lynne Amerson

MBA Finance Class of 2009

Portfolio Manager
First Western Trust Bank

Lynne Amerson enjoyed her job as a portfolio manager for a private client group, but she knew to get to the next level, she needed to strengthen her quantitative skills. She sought out business schools that were quantitatively focused and well regarded in finance, which brought her to Simon, and eventually a position as Product Specialist/Assistant Vice President for Barclays Wealth in New York City.

"At Simon, I learned to sharpen the way I present information," she says. "Often there can be too much data behind an answer and the biggest part of the solution is recognizing the quality data. At Simon, I learned to recognize these trends and I have had success framing the solution by presenting the most relevant conclusions in a creative way."

The comparatively small size of the Simon student body is conducive to a sense of community and gave Lynne, who grew up in Minneapolis, the opportunity to take on more leadership roles within the classroom and clubs. As a first year student, Lynne and a few friends founded Simon UNcorked, the School's Wine Club. "We identified a need amongst the students to learn more about the culture of wine and how it fits in the world of business," she says. "Being educated on things from how to hold a wine glass to selecting wine from a list at a business dinner really adds to making a Simon student an even more impressive candidate."