For Jim Fitzpatrick ’82, president and CEO of NICSA, a nonprofit trade association serving the global asset management industry, Assumption’s liberal arts education prepared him for his career – one that began before he even graduated. During his senior year, Fitzpatrick, an accounting major, worked with an asset management firm at an internship. Upon graduation, he was offered a full-time position with the company, a field he has worked in for more than 35 years.
“I believe that a liberal arts education provides an excellent foundation for students to develop strong critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills,” he said. “While there are many highly technical aspects of the asset management industry, the core of it still revolves around people. I think my education helped me transition into the business world with the ability to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve with my colleagues.”
Founded in 1962, NICSA’s goal is to help asset management firms and financial service providers meet the changing needs of their clients through education programs, interactive forums, and networking opportunities. Fitzpatrick, who is based in West Palm Beach, FL, sets the strategic direction of the association, while handling the day-to-day operations of its business, including relationship management with member organizations. Fitzpatrick is also involved with NICSA’s new initiative, The Diversity Project, which seeks to change the diversity and inclusion metrics within the asset management industry. “I am really excited about working on this and the impact we can have for our member firms, as well as for individuals in underrepresented work groups within our industry,” he said.
Though more than three decades removed from Assumption, Fitzpatrick remains a champion for the importance of education and finds the time to mentor current students. “I believe that education can make a significant difference in young people’s lives,” he said, adding that he has spent the last few years restructuring NICSA’s scholarship fund so it can provide as much financial and mentoring support as possible to undergraduate students of member firms.
