Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance Dean’s Advisory Board Leadership Award

Recipients

2026 Leadership Award Recipients

João Vitor Dalla Zen and Sebastian Castro

João Vitor Dalla Zen

For João Vitor Dalla Zen, leadership is rooted in creating systems that last.

An international student from Brazil pursuing dual degrees in finance and econometrics and quantitative economics, Dalla Zen has transformed the Investment Club at USF into a nationally competitive organization. As president, he oversees one of the largest student-run organizations on campus, leading more than 80 analysts and organizing large-scale events that connect students directly with top financial institutions.

Sebastian Castro

Sebastian Castro’s leadership journey is equally defined by impact, but grounded in mentorship, resilience, and community.

A finance and global business double major, Castro serves as president of Phi Chi Theta business fraternity, where he leads more than 100 members and a 17-person executive board. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its professional programming, strengthened corporate partnerships and increased its philanthropic footprint, raising thousands of dollars for local nonprofits.

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Past Recipients

2025

  • Juliana Camargo Torres
    (BS Finance)
  • Cynthia Tang
    (BS Finance - May 2026)

2023

  • Mateo Racini Serje
    (BS Finance - Dec 2023)
  • Brandon Meade
    (BS Finance - May 2023)

2021

  • Brendan Fritz
    (BS Finance - May 2022)
  • Junayed Jahangir
    (BS Finance - 2022)

2024

  • Linh Nguyen
    (BS Finance - May 2025)
  • Gabriel Mocelin Oliveira
    (BS Finance - May 2024)

2022

  • Alex Smith
    (BS Finance SP 2024)
  • Jack Luba
    (BS Finance - SP 2023) 

2020

  • Livia Rosales
    (BS Marketing - May 2022)
  • Shamona Duffus
    (MBA 2021)