John Lettera is a 1999 magna cum laude graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and served as the Managing Editor of Law Review. He is the CEO and Founder of Fairbridge Asset Management, for­merly RealFi Financial LLC. Fairbridge is a leading, technology driven, alterna­tive investment management firm with expertise in real estate credit strate­gies. Mr. Lettera’s involvement with the law school has been tremendous. He is a member of the Law School’s Board of Visitors and an Adjunct Professor at Haub Law. Most recently, he made a generous donation to the Law School which will serve as a five-year grant to name its Investor Rights Clinic after Fairbridge Asset Management—Fairbridge Investor Rights Clinic. He has also been an adjunct pro­fessor at the Law School since 2010, teaching courses in Real Estate Finance, Corporate Finance, and Venture Capital. Mr. Lettera has also supported the Law School through hiring many alumni over the years, generously sponsoring alumni events, and volunteering with the Center for Career and Professional Development. In 2013 and 2022, he received the Distinguished Service Award as part of the annual Law School Leadership Awards Dinner in recognition of his ongoing support.

How did you end up choosing Pace to pursue your legal education?

Pace was a perfect fit for me, as I wanted smaller class sizes and the chance to establish close relationships with other students and my professors. I wanted a col­laborative environment, and I relished the opportunity to engage with other students and work together to complete projects.

You have an interesting professional background, can you speak about that briefly?

I’ve been investing in real estate since 1990, and as an attorney, I’ve specialized in this area for over 23 years, so I have a lot of insight and experience in handling complex transactions—bridge loans, equity and debt financing and investing, acquisitions, etc. Unlike a lot of global bankers or financiers, I like to think outside of the box, more like an entrepreneur than a banker. I learned very early on that this type of investing is very legal intensive so law school was a natural progression and one that has served me very well.

What impact has your legal education at Pace had on your career?

Pace gave me the knowledge and foundation to get recruited to Milbank while also instilling in me the intellectual passion to venture out on my own. Being a part of Pace continuously reminds me that the practice of law is a profession besides being a business and as lawyers we can do good besides just doing well. Thanks to Pace, that commitment is firmly embedded in the culture of its students and in the future of the legal profession.

You are also an adjunct professor at Pace—how do you find that experience?

I always enjoyed classes taught by adjunct professors. I liked learning about their experiences firsthand; it al­lowed the students to view the world they want to en­ter through their lens. As an adjunct professor myself, I speak directly to how theories learned in class apply to real life applications and point out the pros and cons of different scenarios that students may not be able to anticipate at their current level. My love for learning fuels my passion for teaching. I am addicted to the challenge of how to get students even more engaged in learning. I can’t teach every student in the world, but I can make a difference for the ones I teach. Knowing that the impact I can have on their lives can stay with them throughout their years of schooling and beyond is incredibly inspiring.

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You have been a generous supporter of Pace over the years—thank you. Why do you feel it is important to give back?

There are so many reasons including showing my ap­preciation for the education that Pace provided me and to give others a chance to have a similar experi­ence. Also, I compare my degree to having equity in a company; I have a personal interest in ensuring that Pace’s prestige grows. For my corporate finance stu­dents, it is like owning an investment where valuation changes based on reputation rather than earnings. The onus is on us, alumni, to bolster the reputation of our alma mater to protect and enhance our invest­ment over time. Giving back is also an opportunity for me to channel my passion and allow it to thrive on campus long after I’m gone. It is a way to invest back in areas I wish to see Pace flourish.

What are different ways, aside from financial, that you feel an alumni can and should support their law school?

Alumni often think that they are not ready to support Pace. This is usually on the premise that monetary contribution is the only way to give back. While finan­cial support is an important way to engage, contri­bution with your time can be an equally enriching experience, if not more. Volunteering to be mentors and guest speakers allows alums to stay current and engaged with bright minds of the future. Those inter­actions can lead to potentially hiring interns or future lawyers. Also, be sure to hire current and graduating students as this is the best way to promote Pace.

Over the years, I have hired countless students from Pace. Today, I am proud to say that several of my former students have top positions in my com­pany, including a partner with the asset management company, general counsel with the mortgage com­pany, counsel to the asset management company, and the list goes on. I also continue to support ex­ternship programs where several students work with my company for credits.

What advice would you have for a future or current law student?

I tell my students that the most crucial variable to your success in business is you. Experience has taught me that if we go to work every day on the internal, the external success we crave will undoubtedly show up along the way. The remarkable thing about working on ideas like inner passion and purpose is that your progress comes out so authentically in all manners of external interaction. When people can genuinely feel that you care about what you are engaged in, you are a persuasive salesperson, without actually trying to sell anything. It takes a lot of courage to work on the internal, but as Anais Nin so eloquently put it, “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage”. Success, however you choose to define it, is a con­tinual work in progress. While many factors come into play when building a business, I believe that the most important ones have nothing to do with innovation, balance sheets, finance, or marketing. The most im­portant variable to your success in business is you. You are the author of your own life, and it’s never too late to replace the stories you tell yourself.

Vaishali Dulani

Digital Media Product Executive, Electric Symphony Media

Class of 2023
MS in Social Media and Mobile Marketing

Current Internship and Title: Digital Media Product Intern at Electric Symphony Media

Pronouns: She/Her

When Vaishali Dulani started exploring the business world, she had no idea what aspect of the industry she wanted to pursue. After connecting with Career Services and landing her dream internship at a start-up, she discovered her passion for digital marketing. When she returns to the Lubin School of Business in the fall, Vaishali will be able to apply her real-world experience to what she learns in class.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

I had no idea where to begin searching for an internship, but the International Student Professional Readiness Education program (INSPIRE) was a huge help in getting the application process going. Everything was properly explained, including how to write a cover letter and network. Pace University offers the best help through Career Services—from tailoring your resume to helping you prepare for interviews, which is definitely beneficial for any job application. It helped me secure this position.

Pace University offers the best help through Career Services—from tailoring your resume to helping you prepare for interviews, which is definitely beneficial for any job application. It helped me secure this position.

What attracted you to this internship?

I was attracted to this internship because it is a dynamic job role related to my coursework at the Lubin School of Business and the skills I want to build in a marketing career. I also always wanted to gain experience at a startup for my first internship, so this is quite a blessing. This internship is a blend of digital, traditional, and social media which is a good start in gaining experience in every area of marketing.

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern at Electric Symphony Media (ESM).

As a product team intern, one of my responsibilities is to assist with the setup of Facebook and Google Ads campaigns for both small and large clients of Electric Symphony Media (ESM). My typical day involves developing campaigns and coming up with content ideas for ESM's social media.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

The best part of the internship is when we have a game day at the end of the week. Everyone participates in teams and competes with one another to keep the spirit high. It is so much fun and mood-lifting. I adore the work environment at ESM because it keeps my work and personal life in balance.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

There is a lot to learn and there will always be more to learn. Because marketing offers a variety of job possibilities, I wasn't sure which avenue of marketing I should pursue at first. My experience as a digital media product intern has given me the opportunity to learn more about digital marketing. I'm confident that I am ready for bigger opportunities in the future, having set up advertising campaigns and producing content for social media.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

I will now be able to relate more to what will be taught in class, as I will already have hands-on experience. My experience will definitely be helpful in class projects and assignments at Lubin.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Don’t give up if you get your first rejection—keep grooming your resume and LinkedIn profile because they are the key elements in the application process. Also, in my personal experience, a cover letter goes a long way.

Connect With Vaishali:

• Follow Vaishali Dulani on LinkedIn
• Follow Vaishali Dulani on Instagram

Danielle Bellino

Social Media Manager, Twin Jewelers

Class of 2024
BBA in Digital Marketing

Internship: Marketing/Public Relations Intern, Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley

Pronouns: She/Her

When Danielle Bellino landed her internship with the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, she knew she'd be getting hands-on experience in a welcoming environment. What she didn't expect was how much her work would impact dozens of local families in need. She'll now head into her next semester at the Lubin School of Business, not only with real-world experience, but with a greater understanding of how marketing can make a major impact.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

Amazing Lubin professors, such as Professor Jim Davis, have helped me prepare for this internship. My professors are always available to help in preparation for interviews, give detailed feedback on resumes, and aid in preparing students for real-life situations in the business world.

What attracted you to this internship?

I was attracted to this internship because I had heard how welcoming the work environment is from previous interns, and how much experience I would gain from working under the supervisors at the Ronald McDonald House. It is a very hands-on internship where I'm free to implement my own ideas into the work I'm doing.

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern at the Ronald McDonald House.

This is a hybrid internship, so I work from home, as well as in the Ronald McDonald House, where families of sick children are living. Typically, I start my day by going over what I completed during the previous week with my supervisor. Then, we work together to come up with the tasks I will complete during the upcoming week. Being that the Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization, most of my work is aimed at encouraging donations through social media posts on multiple platforms. I do this by filming and shooting content at the House with families who live there and with other people and organizations that donate supplies or money to the House. We also have a program in which people come and cook meals for the families, so I shoot content for that as well. Another major responsibility is aiding in planning upcoming events. I curate lists of possible donors, local businesses who may be interested in donating to events or promoting them with flyers, and potential vendors for activities at the events themselves. It has been my duty to reach out to them, and I have found that many are willing to help.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

The most enjoyable aspect is that my work is directly helping the families that live at the Ronald McDonald House. They are facing such a traumatizing moment in their lives—their child being extremely ill—that most parents could not even fathom. It is amazing to talk to them and gain insight into their experiences and how living in the house makes the experience more comfortable. The sense of community that has been formed between the families is heartwarming to see.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

Whether or not I work in the non-profit space in the future, I will always remember the fact that marketing has such a huge impact on the well-being of a small business. Just from one post on social media, we are sometimes able to connect with donors who brighten the days of families or curate events that do the same. Also, the hands-on aspect of this internship has given me so much insight into what I will be doing in the future and has only made me more excited to work in the marketing field.

Whether or not I work in the non-profit space in the future, I will always remember the fact that marketing has such a huge impact on the well-being of a small business. Just from one post on social media, we are sometimes able to connect with donors who brighten the days of families or curate events that do the same.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

Having such an amazing first internship has given me even more ambition to want to continue to gain experience within the marketing field. It has also made me want to gain more knowledge. I'm so excited for next semester at Lubin and will be a part of the Lubin Business Association in the hopes of inspiring other marketing students to do the same.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

My advice would be to work closely with your professors and Career Services to curate professional relationships with them. Because of my Lubin professors and Career Services, I was extremely prepared for applying to internships and, as a result, having successful interviews. Never be afraid to ask questions or for help because you never know the opportunities you may get out of them.

Connect With Danielle:

• Connect with Danielle Bellino on LinkedIn
• Follow Danielle Bellino on Instagram

Growing up in Harlem, New York, Haub Law student Decnis Pimentel experienced racial injustice first-hand. In part, these experiences led her to law school with the goal of pursuing a career in law to create change and have an impact on our system. “I am a huge believer in being the change you seek and pursuing a career in the law allows for the unique position of being able to help a range of individuals from all backgrounds regardless of their race or economic status. Lawyers have the ability to create change for the greater good of society and I look forward to having a career in law doing just that.”

Decnis is already breaking barriers in her own family. “I am a first-generation student in my family and will be the first lawyer in my entire family. I am Dominican and the oldest of three children. My mother is one of my biggest sources of power. Her resilience and the sacrifices she has made is one of the many reasons I am here today. I am proud of who I am and my background. I want to serve as an example for women of color and Latinas who come from similar backgrounds and show them that regardless of the stereotypes or labels society may want to place on you, you are in control of your own future and are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”

"I want to serve as an example for women of color and Latinas who come from similar backgrounds and show them that regardless of the stereotypes or labels society may want to place on you, you are in control of your own future and are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to.”

Currently, a resident assistant in Haub Law’s Dannat Hall, Decnis is also an active member of the Latin American Law Students Association and the Black Law Students Association. This past fall, she also interned with the Pace Women’s Justice Center. “It was a humbling and empowering experience. I learned a lot, both legal and life lessons.”

Decnis also feels fortunate to have experienced having Professor Randolph McLaughlin during her 1L year, who she notes has “inspired” her. “Taking Professor McLaughlin’s torts class during my 1L year and learning about his extensive career as a lawyer has inspired me and showed me that the work done as a lawyer really does have an impact and can create change in our system. He shared stories about his career, how he navigated being a black man who is a lawyer and the obstacles he faced throughout his career. Learning about his path and how he persevered motivated me to push through a very stressful 1L year.”

Decnis is pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Health Law and Policy while at Haub Law. So far, aside from her classes, her favorite thing about the Haub Law experience is the people. “Everyone here is extremely welcoming and willing to give a helping hand.”

When asked about her advice for others who may pursue a law degree, Decnis said, “trust yourself and have confidence in your potential. Bet on yourself. Do not compare your journey or story to the person next to you. You have gotten to the current place in your life because of your own talent, knowledge, and potential! You are the change you seek.”

As for the immediate future, Decnis is keeping her eye on the prize: graduate law school, pass the bar, and land a job in a law firm where she can create change. “I truly believe what I said, you are the change you seek, and I am confident that using the tools I have been given so far at Haub Law, I will fulfill my dream of graduating and having a positive impact on our system.”