Alumni Spotlight: Kalavritinos on Careers in International Finance
When Michael Kalavritinos (Pardee ’90) graduated from Boston University with a Master’s Degree in International Affairs, he wanted to work for the United States government. This became a reality when Kalavritinos started working for the U.S. Deaprtment of State after leaving BU. However, as emerging markets started to become more relevant from a portfolio investment perspective, Kalavritinos made the decision to make a change and embark on a career in financial services.
“I was originally interested in working for the U.S. government but changed direction as the developing markets began to become in vogue and financial services began looking for graduates who were both knowledgeable about the region and conversant in the relevant foreign languages,” Kalavritinos said.
After leaving the U.S. Department of State, Kalavritinos began his career in financial services focusing on Latin America first in Boston and subsequently in New York working for the Swiss Bank Corporation. This was followed by several business and relationship management positions at firms including Bankers Trust/Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan.
Kalavritinos joined Bank of New York Mellon in 2007 as a senior institutional relationship manager for Latin America and after holding several positions, including several years working out of the company’s Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo offices, he was named Deputy Head for Latin America in 2014. Currently based in New York, he manages a team that is responsible for strategic relationships with the top banks and Central Banks in Latin America.
According to Kalavritinos, his time at the Pardee School provided him with an in-depth background on Latin America that is crucial to his current position at BNY Mellon. Kalavritinos specifically points to classes he took with Professor Emeritus of International Relations and Political Science David Scott Palmer as being particularly influential.
“It provided me with a multi-dimensional background on the region the analytical tools to conduct research and keep current,” Kalavritinos said. “Professor David Scott Palmer had a great influence on me and I enjoyed his courses on Latin America and in particular his expertise on Peru.”
Kalavritinos said his advice to current Pardee School students who are interested in pursuing careers in finance is to take advantage of the Pardee School network and to accumulate as much practical experience as possible through internships and similar work opportunities.
“They should feel confident that the Pardee School will prepare them for careers in finance, among other areas,” Kalavritinos said. “In addition, internships and networking with professors and alumni is fundamental.”