Leaping to learn: Sérgio Ribeiro Da Silva (SMF ’25)

Jumping into a world of uncertainties and giving up the very things that define you takes a special kind of person. For Sérgio Ribeiro Da Silva, that jump meant uprooting his family, leaving a managerial job and moving from Brazil to Ohio in pursuit of education and more stability in his life.

He always dreamed of pursuing a degree in a different country at a distinguished university to broaden his perspective of the world. It’s what drew him to Ohio State and Fisher’s Specialized Master in Finance (SMF).

Now, as he graduates as part of the SMF program’s Class of 2025, Sérgio reflects on the leap that brought him to Ohio, the enormous responsibility he felt, and the example he’s set for his daughters ― one that he hopes they learn from.

“Holding the responsibility for decisions that affect the ones you care most about is the ultimate test of being capable of focusing on a higher goal,” Sérgio says about his motivation for graduating with an SMF degree this spring.

Q: What’s been your favorite memory from your time at Fisher?

A: The entire experience was both intense and enriching. It was a time of deep technical learning and personal growth. I truly cherish every moment I’ve experienced during this school year. These moments have shaped me, making me stronger and better prepared — both professionally and personally.

To understand what this journey meant, you must consider everything it took for us — my family and me — to be here. The program provided the opportunity for me to live an immersive transformative experience in a different country, alongside my wife and two daughters. This remarkable chapter was crowned by my on-stage participation in the inspiring Time and Change: The Ohio State Campaign event at the Schottenstein Center — with my family seated in the audience, and my mother watching proudly.

How has your experience in the SMF program changed you or made you better?

For me, it was a complete journey — one that enhanced my technical skills, broadened my perspective on business management and offered a unique opportunity to experience a different culture and lifestyle in an incredible city, together with the people I love most. This experience tested my willingness to pursue my goals, constantly challenging my commitment in different ways, while also preparing me to become a better person and a stronger professional. We dreamed, we embraced the challenge, and now we look back — grateful and proud of the journey.

Who has been influential during your graduate student experience? Why?

Many professors have played a significant role throughout this year, demonstrating the utmost dedication and a genuine willingness to support our development — including our academic director, Professor George Pinteris and Professors Peter York and Darren Roulstone. Along with other faculty members, they have proven to be exceptionally well-equipped to guide us and have served as outstanding role models.

From a more personal perspective, I would also include: my mother, who always set the bar high and, through her example, taught me the true meaning of dedication and resilience; my wife, who has been a true companion, embracing this challenge as her own and choosing to leave everything behind to embark on this journey with me; and finally, my two daughters, for whom I rise and persist each day, inspired and strengthened by their love.

What does being a Business Buckeye mean to you?

Being a Business Buckeye means not only being part of a select group of well-prepared professionals but also becoming part of a larger family that shares the desire to mold a better world through their roles in the business community.

Describe your experience as an Ohio State student in five words.

Purpose, commitment, growth, love, and legacy

What are your post-graduate plans?

I'm pursuing an opportunity in finance in the United States. I hope to find a position at a company that aligns with my values — where I can apply my prior professional experience and enhanced knowledge toward mutual growth, while striving to make a positive impact on society and the world in every possible way.