Master Your Card: Speaker Bios
Steven J. Shapiro, Ph.D.
Professor
Accounting and Finance, New York Tech
Steven J. Shapiro, Ph.D. oversees the School of Management's Center for Risk Management, which prepares students for decision-making processes involving elements of uncertainty, and helps them identify risks and manage them effectively. He has been leading efforts to incorporate Bloomberg terminals and other technologies in New York Tech's curricula. Outside of class, as an economic and financial consultant, Shapiro serves as an expert witness in court, prepares external reports, and provides litigation support to attorneys. Dr. Shapiro's research interests include applications of finance and economics to the law, financial valuation and analysis of cryptocurrency prices and returns.
Prior to New York Tech, Shapiro taught for more than 20 years at the University of New Haven. He was a senior economist at the New York Telephone Company and research analyst for the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division in the Economic Policy Office. Shapiro earned his Ph.D. in financial economics and master's degree in economics from Georgetown University. He received his bachelor's degree in economics and mathematics from the University of Virginia.
Jimmy Chow
Director, Community Relations
Mastercard
Mastercard Director of Community Relations Jimmy Chow helps promote financial empowerment and equity among underserved communities through literacy, resources, and access to electronic payments technology via the Master Your Card (MYC) community empowerment program. Aimed at achieving financial inclusion for underserved communities, MYC leverages the joint efforts of Mastercard employees and committed industry partners to enable financial equity for all through access to education, resources, and best-in-class electronic payments technology.
Chow joined Mastercard in 2016 as Manager of Global Talent Development. In this role, he was responsible for identifying, creating, and deploying learning opportunities for all Mastercard employees and people managers. His areas of responsibility included the new hire onboarding experience, professional skills to enhance employee performance and career readiness, creation of a people-manager curriculum, and reporting and data analytics to enhance effectiveness and impact of Mastercard's learning programs.
Prior to joining Mastercard, Chow spent much of his career as a learning and development professional. He held roles as facilitator, coach, and program manager. He is an expert in the delivery of courses in management skills, compliance, customer service, sales techniques, policies and procedures, and various software applications. Chow has worked in various industries and companies, such as Paul Hastings LLP., Turner Broadcasting, Dunkin Brands, and Fleet Boston Financial.
Mercedes Garcia
Vice President, Community Relations
Mastercard
Mastercard Vice President Community Relations Mercedes Garcia is responsible for developing relationships with consumers, merchants, labor organizations, consumer advocacy groups and governments via the Master Your Card (MYC) program. This program provides education about how consumers and business owners can get the most from their money through the smart use of electronic payments technology.
For several years, Garcia served as Mastercard's spokesperson for financial education programs for Hispanics, African Americans, and other underserved groups. She supported the development of these educational programs, including marketing and training materials and personally conducted training sessions for thousands of people.
Garcia has been recognized by many organizations and institutions, including the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Women Empowering and Embracing Women Award, the New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 2016 Annual Hispanic Women in Business Award (honoring the commitment of exceptional Hispanic Women), and most recently, the Community Building Champion Award by the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester and the 2019 Financial Inclusion Impact award by World of Money.
Garcia joined Mastercard in 1994 to open its Venezuela office. She moved to the company's headquarters in Purchase, N.Y., in 1998 to join the Global Product Group, supporting the development and rollout of various Mastercard payment card programs around the world.
Prior to joining Mastercard, Garcia developed an extensive marketing and advertising background, working for more than 10 years at J. Walter Thompson, one of the leading multinational advertising agencies. She is native of Venezuela, speaks several languages, and has a Business Administration and Hotel Management degree from the Mexican Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Mexico City.
Eileen Guzzo
President and Founder
Donnelly & Moore, Corp.
Eileen Guzzo is the president and founder of Donnelly & Moore, Corp., a highly regarded IT consulting and offshore IT consulting firm serving the U.S. market. Since 1997, it has been providing leading corporations with IT consulting and staffing as well as cybersecurity, near-shore/offshore and IT Infrastructure services.
Guzzo received the Award of Excellence WBE 2019 at the New York Competitive Edge Conference, and in 2014 was honored for her business achievements by the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She was also honored by Consolidated Edison of NY, Inc. in 2012–2014 and received the Minority Business Development Agency-U.S. Department of Commerce Northeast Region's MBE Award in 2012.