Panthers of ISKL #357: Shreyan B. (‘28) - The Young Investing Panther
The overall impact I want to have is to not just expose future business and finance students to more financial concepts and structures, but really teach a broader range of students about these things, and the applications and implications they have on other fields.
Meet Shreyan, an ISKL alumnus who has left a lasting mark on the school community through his passion for financial literacy and analysis. His interest and aptitude were sparked by curiosity, hours of conversations with his father, and witnessing his grandfather’s success through astute investments.
As leader of the Young Investors Society (YIS), Shreyan committed to sharing his passion with others, mentoring younger students and encouraging them to discover their own interest in business, finance, and investment. His leadership leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of students to embrace financial literacy and pursue their own ambitions.
Looking ahead, Shreyan hopes to use investment and capital structures as a vehicle for good in the world.
Here is Shreyan’s story:
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I’m originally from India, but I’ve spent the last ten years living in Malaysia and Singapore. The past year, my Sophomore year, was my fourth and final year in ISKL since I joined in Grade 7.
We have been told that you are a talented and driven Panther who shows great aptitude in financial literacy and analysis. Could you explain a little more about how your interest in this field began?
There are a few things I would highlight to answer this question: one would be that, thanks to my curious nature, I was keen to question how many things worked, both tangible and intangible constructs, and I would find that many systems and decisions at the core are driven by capital systems and incentives.
That would be one factor sparking my interest, but the other would be talking about markets and business with my father at the dinner table for years, and observing what my grandfather built through astute investments. Lastly, joining Young Investors Society (YIS) in Grade 7, run by the seniors of the time, was a catalyst for where I am now.
What motivated you to start mentoring beginners through ISKL’s Young Investors Society, and what impact do you hope to have on younger students?
First and foremost, I sought to continue as a leader in the same program that piqued my interests in the field at a younger age and hopefully use what I had learned and developed to grow many more students in the same way.
The overall impact I want to have is to not just expose future business and finance students to more financial concepts and structures, but really teach a broader range of students about these things, and the applications and implications they have on other fields.
Who is your inspiration/role model in exploring financial concepts? Do you seek mentorship from anyone?
I constantly seek mentorship and advice from people with vastly different backgrounds and experiences to gain new perspectives and insights in my field. I especially found many such people to learn from in my time in New York.
My greatest inspirations in the industry are Jamie Dimon and Steven Schwarzman; much of my respect for the former derives from the way he has run and grown JP Morgan Chase to be one of the premier banks in our industry, especially in his management of the 2008 financial crisis. My admiration for the latter stems from the sheer expertise and mastery he shows in the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) sector, one that intrigues me the most in the field of finance; his successes in crafting M&A deals and then turning those companies around really inspires me to aim for the same.
Please tell us a little about how your leadership role has evolved while establishing and running ISKL’s Young Investors Society.
I started as a member for around three years, taking the time to hone my skills and really immerse myself in learning more and amassing knowledge in the field. Eventually, nearing the end of my Freshman year when the execs at the time came to be much busier than they were throughout the year, I found myself helping those around me in YIS to understand the concepts which they hadn’t grasped fully, and that led to me taking on that responsibility as the Chapter President throughout my Sophomore year. I would say taking on the role allowed me to have more learning opportunities, not only regarding finance but also about leadership and effectively teaching and running a club. Because of this, I would encourage younger students to put themselves out there, work hard, and try for things they may be passionate about.
Congratulations on your achievement in the Global Young Investors Stock Pitch. Can you explain a little about the preparation and research you did to reach the finals in New York City and secure second place worldwide?!
Thank you! A lot of my preparation outside of the ten-page report and the pitch itself really came in trying my best to build a really deep and strong understanding of the company that I pitched, the field, and what I was actually pitching. It sounds simple, but I have come to learn it’s the most important and most overlooked step. Once I built that foundation, I was just confident in it, and I put my best foot forward in the different rounds of pitches.
Upon receiving your award, how did you feel, and what did you take away with you from the competition?
When the judges announced the overall top three, placing me at second, I felt a combination of relief, surprise, thrill, and excitement; just an overall happiness that a lot of my work paid off. I was also reminded that I always have room to grow, improve, and learn to get from the level of second to first no matter how close it was. More than takeaways from the competition, my bigger takeaways were from the summit itself, and it was a lot of the people I met and connections I made. Meeting new people and hearing their stories and experiences was definitely one of my biggest takeaways.
What are your future goals in economics, finance, and leadership? How are you preparing for this?
One of my long-term goals in the field is to be able to use investment and capital structures as a vehicle for good in the world, powering the right initiatives and developments and fighting the stigma that financiers are cold-hearted and profit-driven rather than impact-creating. As of now, I’m preparing myself for this through focusing on my education and then gaining experience in the industry through different forums.
What is your most memorable moment at ISKL?
My most memorable experience at ISKL has to be GAP Week last year in Vietnam. It was a time when I could put everything aside and build stronger connections with my close friends and other peers.
Which Panther superlative best describes you?
I am the most Onz Panther (Onz means nothing is impossible), and I identify best with this superlative because I aspire to live my life improving every day to be the best I can in every aspect of my being; so I refrain from placing limits on what I can and can’t achieve.
Tell us why ISKL is special to you and what you like most about the school.
I Suka (Like) ISKL because of the people at school. I’ve been at many different schools, but the one standout thing from ISKL I’ll keep would be the very close friends I’ve made here.
What does the ISKL vision ‘Know yourself, care for all and create a better world” mean to you?
I take it very literally; to me, it means becoming familiar with your strengths and flaws, applying that understanding to support those around you, and supporting change in the way you can and believe in.
Do you know of any student, teacher, parent, or staff member who always has an anecdote to tell, loves to share some insights into their passions and interests, or simply is a Panther through and through? Nominate them to be featured in our Panthers of ISKL stories by sending in your submissions here.