The National Introducing Brokers Association continued its 35th anniversary celebration last month with a successful student-focused outreach event at DePaul University, bringing members of the futures and options industry directly into the classroom to engage with the next generation of market professionals. Approximately 45 students attended a panel discussion featuring industry practitioners who shared insights on building a career in the futures and derivatives markets, the wide range of professional paths available across brokerage, trading, risk management, legal and compliance, marketing and operations, and the skills that help young professionals succeed in a fast-moving global marketplace.
Pictured from left:
Dr. Peter Westin, Director, Arditti Center, DePaul University; Melinda Schramm, Founder & Chairman NIBA; Catie Lee, Director of Marketing, ADM Investor Services; Giancarlo Saraceno, Senior Commodity Broker, Edge Clear LLC; John Roe, Founding Partner, Roe Capital Management; Brian Poronsky, Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
The discussion emphasized both the accessibility and diversity of opportunities within the industry, with panelists offering practical advice on networking, developing market knowledge, and gaining early exposure through internships and mentorship. Students had the opportunity to ask candid questions about today’s career entry points, day-to-day responsibilities, and how technology and evolving markets are shaping the future of the business.
This event marks the first in a series of university outreach programs planned as part of NIBA’s 35th anniversary initiatives aimed at promoting awareness of the association and strengthening the talent pipeline for the futures industry. Building on the strong engagement at DePaul, NIBA looks forward to continuing the program with an upcoming event at Illinois Institute of Technology and additional campuses in the months ahead, reinforcing the association’s commitment to education, industry advocacy, and the future growth of the introducing broker community.