KATHERINE S.

GAAL
(732) 598-3116 ksg5164@psu.edu
812 Main Avenue Bay Head, NJ 08742

EDUCATION
The Pennsylvania State University, Smeal College of Business
Smeal College of Business | Bachelor of Science in Finance
School of Communications| Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism

University Park, PA
August 2013 May 2017
GPA: 3.57/4.00

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Wall Street Boot Camp
Program Graduate

University Park, PA
January 2015 May 2015

Selected to be part of a 40 student group from among 300 applicants to attend weekly sessions presented by Wall Street professionals on
various entry level career paths including investment banking, asset management, and sales and trading

Penn State Investment Association

University Park, PA
Analyst, Consumer Discretionary
September 2015 Present

Analyzed and discussed buy, hold, and sell decisions to the fund managers and general body for the retail sector of the Nittany Lion
Fund equity portfolio by screening companies in the S&P 500, analyzing relative valuations, and determining growth drivers

Assist with buy and sell decision making for a portfolio worth over $900,000 with the goal of outperforming S&P 500 benchmark
Smeal College of Business
Innovation & Quality Team Consultant

University Park, PA
September 2014 December 2014

Selected from 1100 qualified applicants to assist in developing critical feedback towards the improvement and advancement of Penn
States management concepts course by working with professors, collaborating with other consultants, and meeting with students
Acted as liaison between students and faculty to provide feedback concerning class improvement to create a better learning
environment

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Women in Business
University Park, PA
Active Member
April 2013 Present

Attend weekly meeting for 1.5 hours with 200 plus members participating in professional development events and discussing pertinent
issues in the corporate world

Promote campus awareness and raise funds for the Penn State Dance MaraTHON, a forty-six hour event to help conquer pediatric
cancer with proceeds going to providing emotional and financial support to the families of the Four Diamonds Fund
Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women
University Park, PA
Initiated Member
May 2014 Present
Engaged in an organization that embodies the core values of integrity, lifelong commitment, honor and respect, personal and
intellectual growth, philanthropic service to others, and sincere friendship
Contribute to the Fraternitys national philanthropy by fundraising for Read Lead Achieve, a childrens literacy initiative, and
THON via canning and canvassing trips, THONvelopes, Alexs Lemonade Stand, and THON 5K
Smeal Student Mentor
University Park, PA
Selected Mentor
September 2013 Present
Instruct incoming students on how to improve leadership potential and introduce resources to help achieve personal and academic
success throughout their transition to Penn State
Assist students develop a peer contact network and establish active involvement in the campus community
University Park, PA
Impact Smeal Day
March 2015
Moderator
Selected by the Alumni Relations Director to moderate a presentation by financial television personality and author, Farnoosh Torabi
Facilitated follow up presentation questions between Farnoosh and students inquiring about starting a career in the finance industry

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PTR Certified Tennis Professional
Coach
Promoted the tennis program and actively aimed to increase participants by organizing social events
Directed and organized practice for beginner and advanced group of up to 40 students per lesson
Miss New Jersey USA Pageant
Competitor

Bay Head Yacht Club, NJ

June 2012 August 2014

Parsippany, NJ
October 2013 October 2014

Awarded First-Runner Up 2013 and the Amity Award 2014 by fellow contestants
Learned professional presentation skills and honed personal, humanitarian, and philanthropic goals

Overnight Nanny
Bay Head, NJ
Child Care Provider
May 2011 Present
Provide child care for a family with 5 children 30 hours a week
Plan enrichment field trips and extra- curricular activities that contribute to the overall development of the children
Interests: Tennis, Sailing, Golf, Cooking, Cycling, Black and White Movies, Snowboarding, Gardening