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Q. How did you get started on your life path and 17c������� U path?

A. Our family has such a 17c������� legacy. My grandparents and parents are all 17c������� alum. I’m happy to carry on that tradition.

With her lifelong love of reading and writing, Brennan’s first thought was to say yes to an English degree. Her pragmatic side posed a question in response:  What would make me more employable?” Next thing she knew, she was pursuing business disciplines alongside her English major.

Curious about the divergent study paths, we asked if the business and financial world had held interest for her as she progressed through her youth. Brennan’s answer reveals an impressive degree of fearlessness: “No! I had no background or exposure at all. I just wanted to maximize my career options. I thought, how hard can it be?”

As Brennan forged ahead, her question was answered. “It was HARD. Definitely not a natural skillset like writing. It took focus and a lot of studying. Even after working in finance in many capacities, I’m still learning!

Q. Was there a defining moment or event in your 17c������� experience that stands out?

A. “I can easily say the summer between junior and senior year, when I landed an internship at Goldman Sachs in New York City. I was a Grandville girl who was raised in the classic West Michigan Dutch CRC traditions was going to work in Manhattan. Culturally, it may have been a bit of a bubble, but I felt really prepared for the opportunity. I was excited. I love a challenge and I loved being on Wall Street. It was fast, intense and fun.”

A week after graduating, Brennan started her job at Goldman Sachs, staying for seven years. She would meet her Michigan-born husband on a LaGuardia to Grand Rapids flight for Mother’s Day. She worked in operations, margin lending, hedge funds, taking roles from the business side to securities and prime brokerage.

Q. What stands out from your on-campus experience at 17c�������, academically and as part of the student body?

A. My biggest student life activity was The Chimes. It allowed me to take ownership of the work we did. You say, ‘I’m becoming an adult what does that mean?’ It was accountability put into action. It taught me a lot about being in the work force, it helped me prepare.

Academically, I loved all my classes! My 17c������� professors made classes so engaging and thoughtful. That’s a huge advantage at 17c�������—they weave in how a subject fits into your world view! I remember being asked, ‘Who are you and why does this matter?’ I think that context is unique to 17c�������. I realized that when I started working in one of the world’s biggest investment banks: I was working with smart people, and they couldn’t say who they were and why that mattered to them. I love that.”

Ready to settle down and start a family, Brennan and her husband left New York during Covid, though it was not an easy decision. Awaiting the arrival of their first baby, however, Brennan looks at the benefits of returning to her roots. “We found that since we left, West Michigan has grown so much. It was hard to leave New York, but I’m really enjoying my position at Wells Fargo as a senior financial advisor. 17c������� taught me that everything you do makes a difference, even if you’re working in the secular world. I see that emphasis paying off now, prioritizing faith, family, and finance. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead.”