ST. PETERSBURG 鈥� One founded a student group connecting 杏吧性世界
peers interested in private equity and venture capital. The other co-founded a student
organization that fosters integrity among future finance leaders. They both helped
grow their club鈥檚 ranks, creating opportunities for members to learn from industry
leaders.
Cynthia Tang and Juliana Camargo Torres 鈥� two female founders and finance majors 鈥�
were named 2025 Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board Leadership Award recipients.
鈥淒riven, forward-thinking, and deeply committed, this year鈥檚 recipients exemplify
the best of the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance,鈥� said Gary Patterson,
the school鈥檚 dean and campus dean at USF St. Petersburg. 鈥淭hey are not waiting for
the future to begin leading 鈥攖hey are already shaping their paths and making meaningful
contributions to society and the industry today.鈥�
The award recognizes exceptional scholars and leaders within the Kate Tiedemann School
of Business and Finance, which is part of the USF Muma College of Business.
Honorees receive an award up to $2,500 and are selected by a special committee. To
be eligible, applicants need a minimum 3.5 GPA and major in either finance or personal
financial planning. They also serve in leadership roles either in classes, clubs,
volunteer organizations or at the university.
Creating opportunities for peers
Throughout her time at USF, Tang has worked at creating opportunities for her peers.
A rising senior and member of the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Tang is pursuing dual
degrees and majoring in finance and quantitative economics and econometrics.
鈥淔or me, leadership is defined by the impact I make, rather than the title I hold,鈥�
said Tang, who is on track to graduate in 2026.
As a freshman, she founded the Private Equity and Venture Capital Club to tie classroom
learning with real-world experience. In her two years as president, Tang worked to
connect students with industry professionals, organize workshops, and create opportunities
for internships at local firms. She helped grow the club to over 200 members, host
four cohorts of the High Finance Training Program, and now serves as its executive
advisor.
Tang also served as a venture capital intern at Embarc Collective during the summer of 2024 where she co-authored the 2024 Southeast Capital Landscape, analyzing venture funding trends and investor activities.
鈥淔or me, leadership is defined by the impact I make, rather than the title I hold,鈥� said Tang.
For nearly a year, Tang navigated the complexities of building a business from the ground up. She founded a cat furniture startup, overseeing everything from financial planning to negotiating with manufacturers to solving logistical challenges.
Leading with integrity and purpose
Torres graduates in May with two bachelor鈥檚 degrees 鈥� one in finance and one in philosophy.
Since November, she has served as a venture scout for the Pegasus Angel Accelerator.
During her time at USF, she gained experience as an intern at Southstate Bank, PwC,
and Nestle USA.
As a junior at USF, Torres co-founded the USF chapter of Scholars of Finance, a student
organization that fosters integrity among future finance leaders. She helped grow
the club鈥檚 ranks from zero to over 100 members.
As vice president of professional development, she is most proud of the group鈥檚 Speaker
Series, which she organized and led. The guests featured distinguished executives
in the industry and gave members valuable insights into the world of finance.
鈥淭hese events focused on ethics, leadership, and personal values and have had a profound
impact on our members, empowering them to navigate their careers with integrity, purpose,
and a deep commitment to ethical leadership,鈥� she said.
Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Torres was a standout women鈥檚 golfer
at USF, named a Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 honoree, served as a volunteer
intern at the Nault Center for Entrepreneurship, and taught Latin cardio dance classes
at USF for the past three years.
She said she loved creating a 45-minute space where students could express themselves
through movement while building a sense of community. And it was another opportunity
to lead at USF.