Christina Todd: Giving back to ensure student success

When asked how Pamplin contributed to her professional success, Christina Todd (FIN ’09) did not hesitate. “At Pamplin I learned what I am passionate about, how to embrace change, that confidence that comes from within, what I liked — and did not like — about myself, and how strong and capable I could be,” Todd said.

“Pamplin also did a great job rounding my business education to blend both the qualitative and quantitative skills you need to be successful after graduation,” she said.

A vice president and financial advisor at Cary Street Partners in Richmond, Virginia, since 2013, Todd has been in the financial services industry for more than eight years.

Serving as mentor and advisor

Because Todd wants current Pamplin students to have the best experience possible, just as she did, she is motivated to give back to the college as a mentor and advisor.

“I was fortunate to have professors, university program directors, and older students as mentors while at Pamplin. They were my trusted advisors and connectors and at times provided the constructive criticism I needed to keep myself on track,” said Todd.

“While the challenges and opportunities students are facing now may be different than when I graduated, they need the same kind of support and experience to help them accomplish their goals,” Todd said. “Mentorship is powerful and incredibly useful in anyone’s career and offers constructive guidance unlike that in any other professional relationship.”

“I think it is awesome that Pamplin’s Collegiate Women in Business can help students build relationships with alumni before graduation,” she said, “and I am very pleased to be able to serve as a resource, offer encouragement, and share experiences with the women in CWIB.”

Todd also serves as president of the Pamplin Recent Alumni Board, a diverse group of young professionals whose work is aimed at advancing the present and future community of Pamplin by contributing to the quality of its programs, providing a voice to recent alumni on relevant issues, and encouraging involvement from recent graduates in support of activities that benefit the Pamplin community.

Making it easier to give

“One of the things we hear most from recent alumni is that they would like to have the ability to donate in an easier and more seamless way,” said Todd. She is excited that the college will be adopting software from MobileCause to raise funds and engage with donors online in ways that would be convenient and productive.

“I’ve seen the MobileCause fundraising tool from the Office of Annual Giving and think that it might be a great step forward for Pamplin.”

In 2018, Todd received the Virginia Tech Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, which recognizes leadership, community service, and occupational achievement. Recipients are chosen by each college, and Todd was selected by Pamplin Dean Robert Sumichrast. In 2017, she received one of the college’s Rising Alumni Awards, created by the Pamplin Society to honor outstanding alumni.

Todd said she was drawn to Pamplin after looking at a number of colleges because she was impressed with Pamplin and how you received your major as a degree. “In the majority of other schools, I would have received a business degree with a concentration in finance. Having that distinction was important to me,” she said.

Her career goal to become a financial advisor was formed early on, after she saw the ramifications of bad financial advice for her family.

“My family put not only their trust but their financial future in the hands of a financial representative that did not provide the educated, personalized investment advice that my family needed,” Todd said, “From a young age, I made the decision to educate myself in finance so that I could always strive to help others best achieve their personal financial goals.”

Todd’s first position after graduating in 2009 was assistant vice president at BB&T Scott and Stringfellow in Richmond. Four years later she joined Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor, remaining there until she joined Cary Street Partners.

Dedicated to serving

Todd is also active in her community and has supported Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center for the past seven years. She has volunteered on the young professionals board, Massey Alliance, to organize runners for the Monument Ave 10K race and has helped organize Women and Wellness, an annual event to help fund women’s cancer research.

She was also one of the first active members for her local Lean In Circle. “This is a fantastic support system for women of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences,” said Todd. “It has provided me with a tremendous amount of information and resources to grow both personally and professionally.”

With what leisure time her busy schedule allows, she enjoys traveling, reading, and equestrian sports. And she remains an avid Hokie fan.

-By Barbara Micale