On Monday, April 7, Blair students had the opportunity to connect with veteran finance and wealth investment advisor Roger Gershman ’82 P ’25, who came prepared with anecdotes of key moments in life that set him up for success. The event supplemented Blair’s Alumni Roundtables, a series that brings graduates from a wide range of industries back to campus to share their professional and life experiences with current students. Monday’s event, hosted by Head of School Peter G. Curran P’27 ’27 at Sharpe House, featured a conversation centered on the financial sector, followed by a Q&A session.

With over 37 years of experience in finance, Mr. Gershman had plentiful advice and stories to share. Starting with memories of being stuck and not knowing what he wanted to do to then getting his first job on Wall Street at the renown Hambrecht & Quist, who brought public companies such as Apple Computer, Adobe and Amazon, Mr. Gershman laid out his professional timeline, teasing out the key lessons he learned along the way.

“Working in Wall Street, I realized that there are always folks who will be smarter, faster, stronger, more connected than you; there will always be colleagues who outperform you,” he shared early in the discussion. “But the important lesson is not to get caught up by them and focus on yourself. Ask yourself ‘What is your secret sauce to be better?’” 

Beginning his career at Hambrecht & Quist more than three decades ago, Mr. Gershman rose to the role of senior vice president in only three years. Over more than 14 years there, he built and managed one of the largest wealth management practices. He later brought his expertise to UBS, serving as a senior vice president of wealth management, where he was recognized as a private wealth advisor–part of an elite task force entrusted with advising UBS’s elite clientele.

Thereafter, moving his practice to the high-caliber boutique Credit-Suisse, Mr. Gershman decided to form his own company. Gershman noted, every big bank he’s worked for has been sold, which begs a lesson; do not rely on any firm to make your career—It is only you who makes your career, your clients and your reputation.

After explaining the intense and unforgiving work environment that is often associated with corporate life on Wall Street, Mr. Gershman explained how a change of perspective helped keep him afloat, while many peers let the negativity weigh them down. 

“Working in sales or finance, you learn a lot. You especially learn how to accept rejections. And changing your perspective to take each rejection positively will be a great strength, for you never know when a rejection will eventually turn into approval. You have to keep fighting and not take things so personally.”

That mentality has continued to help him in his current position today as the founder and CEO of two companies, The Gershman Group and CEO of WealthGuard, Inc. WealthGuard is the nation’s premier protection agency for high-net-worth investors seeking background checks, ratings and rankings. The firm matches investors’ unique requirements to financial advisors. After serving 25 years as a financial advisor for a who’s who of investment firms, Mr. Gershman acted on a dramatic need for a service that gives investors more transparency on Wall Street by creating WealthGuard, Inc., in 2012. He was recently also selected to be a contributing editor to Forbes, where he writes two blogs each month focusing on investor protection. He also runs The Gershman Group, which is one of the nation’s top recruiting companies focusing on the elite multi-billion dollar asset managed financial advisory groups who move from bank to bank, or bank to RIA. 

A 1986 graduate of Syracuse University, Mr. Gershman is a member of the elite Syracuse University Professional Advisors Network and remains a supporter, though his main philanthropy is Blair Academy. He is the proud father to two daughters, Sasha ’25 and Alexandra.

As the evening drew to a close, more students found the confidence to ask for advice on how to get their foot in the door after leaving school. Mr. Gershman eased their concerns and reiterated, “It is through failing and repeating and building relationships that are yours to own that you will do well. Keep fighting, have a great work ethic and believe in yourself that you will succeed.”

Additional visits with experts in their fields are scheduled throughout the school year through the Alumni Roundtables, offering more opportunities for students to engage with Blair graduates. These events will continue to provide students with insights into a wide range of careers and professional paths, fostering meaningful connections between current students and Blair’s accomplished alumni network.