Written by Colin McEvoy | October 24, 2025 | SHARE
Lehigh University students explored global careers in finance, media, and business during a visit to Bloomberg’s New York City headquarters, where they met with alumni and industry leaders shaping the future of global markets.
Lehigh University students gained firsthand insight into the worlds of finance, media, and business on Oct. 22 during a visit to Bloomberg’s New York City headquarters, where they spoke with top executives and industry leaders from Bloomberg as well as other influential financial and media companies.
About 40 students visited 731 Lexington Avenue—informally known as Bloomberg Tower—where they met with current and former officials from Bloomberg, ViacomCBS, MSNBC and the New York Stock Exchange, all while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the nerve center of Bloomberg’s global financial data and media operations.
The trip was facilitated by the Lehigh University/United Nations (LU/UN) Partnership and organized by Richard Verma, ‘90, an accomplished diplomat and Chief Administrative Officer at Mastercard, currently serving as Lehigh’s inaugural President’s Distinguished Fellow.
“Today, we hope to show you the kinds of careers available to you, while also exposing you to global issues across media, finance, philanthropy, and international affairs,” Verma said. “Bloomberg is the perfect place to explore international business and communications, and to gain insight into global trends.”
A look at global finance and media
The trip began with a tour of Bloomberg Tower, a 55-story skyscraper where roughly 7,000 Bloomberg employees work each day. With about 25,000 employees stationed across more than 150 offices on six continents, Bloomberg is a global leader in financial data, technology, and media that shapes how business and markets operate worldwide.
Following the tour, the students participated in direct conversations with distinguished executives and industry leaders, many of whom are Lehigh alumni themselves. They include:
- Stacey Cunningham ‘96, former President of the New York Stock Exchange
- Sean Kelly '88, who leads regional Enterprise Sales at Bloomberg
- Kim Molstre ‘98, who leads Operations and Partnerships at Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Karen Saltser, CEO of Bloomberg Media.
- Michelle Scarigella ‘90, former Chief Financial Officer of ViacomCBS
- Stephanie Ruhle ‘97, MSNBC news anchor
More than 80 Lehigh alumni work in notable positions at Bloomberg throughout the country, as well as internationally in locations such as London, Tokyo, Singapore, and Mexico City, according to Kelly.
Wide-ranging areas of expertise
Those alumni represent a wide range of career paths, including engineering, product management, sales, service, human resources, accounting, news, and philanthropy. Kelly, who majored in government and international relations, said his Lehigh education prepared him for a nontraditional career path that led to positions at Lehman Brothers, Soros Fund Management, and ultimately Bloomberg.
“All of those jobs were very different — different organizations, different businesses, — but Lehigh gives you the foundation,” Kelly said. “It doesn’t matter what your major is, it’s all the other things that you do at Lehigh that help shape you and help prepare you for a career.”
Molstre discussed Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global reach and data-driven approach to giving, emphasizing its focus on unmet needs and flexibility in addressing urgent issues. The organization operates in more than 700 cities and 150 countries, funding initiatives in the arts, education, environment, public health, and government innovation.
Cunningham spoke about the impact of artificial intelligence on markets and investing, the evolving role of cryptocurrency, and the relationship between money, communication, and global progress. She also addressed issues such as wealth inequality, women’s leadership in finance, and the importance of education and balance as technology continues to reshape markets.
Scarangella discussed her career path from accounting into media leadership, the evolution of the television industry amid digital disruption, and the shifting economics of broadcast, cable, and streaming. She also shared perspectives on leadership, corporate culture, and the growing role of technology and AI in finance.
Lehigh’s global mission in action
Verma is a former U.S. Ambassador to India who held several prestigious positions under the administrations of U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, including U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.
As President’s Distinguished Fellow, Verma engages with students and the broader university community in myriad ways, including conducting class lectures, mentoring students, and leading discussions on key national and global issues.
“I’ve been doing this for about eight months now, and spending time on campus and during events like this with all of you has been so energizing,” Verma said. “It’s been great. I would never miss these opportunities.”
The LU/UN Partnership provides opportunities for Lehigh students, faculty, and staff to gain the skills necessary to become successful global leaders by engaging with the United Nations through curricular and co-curricular initiatives.
Each year, the partnership helps more than 1,000 Lehigh faculty, staff, and students attend U.N. conferences, high-level briefings, and private meetings with ambassadors and other U.N. officials.
“Today’s trip was a great opportunity for me, especially as an international student, to see the diversity of the U.S. and also of Bloomberg as a company,” said Yannis El Abbar, an exchange student at Lehigh from TU Dortmund in Germany. “Lehigh offers so many different programs, and I think experiences like this are a great way for younger students to gain insights and have great experiences.”