Sergio Smith was born and raised on the east side of Buffalo, NY. He currently is an undergraduate student at the University at Buffalo, majoring in mathematics with a concentration in actuarial sciences and a minor in Chinese language studies. Sergio is expected to graduate with his bachelor of science degree in 2023, and then pursue his goal of obtaining a master’s degree in quantitative finance. 

Throughout his time at UB, Sergio has held various leadership positions. Since 2019, he has been a student ambassador for UB’s study abroad fair and a member of the Confucius Institute. Additionally, he has served as a Campus Living Study Center associate. Sergio is the recipient of The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which enables American students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures. He has completed an intensive language immersion program in Beijing, China, at Capital Normal University. Sergio is currently a participant in UB’s Inclusive Launch Foundry program, which designed to help students from diverse backgrounds develop and refine business ideas through workshops, coaching, and industry engagement. 

Following graduation, Sergio intends to work as a quantitative trader and start his own hedge fund. He ultimately wants to teach entrepreneurship and investing to students from low income backgrounds from the Buffalo area. With the many resources provided by the WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program, he will be able to develop himself as a civic-minded entrepreneur who is deeply invested in the continued growth of the Western New York community.