Don’t be afraid to take risks and get out of your comfort zone. Bet on yourself. The cream always rises to the top.
Tal Sheynfeld ’05
Tal Sheynfeld ’05
Adelphi University was the perfect destination for Tal Sheynfeld ’05 when he was seeking a way to combine two passions: playing soccer at a competitive level and getting a quality education.
“At home, my parents always made sure I did my schoolwork and focused on advancing myself as a scholar. The pecking order was school first and sports second,” Sheynfeld recalled. Hailing from Even Yehuda, Israel, his journey to follow his passions had to wait until after his mandatory military service in his home country.
Upon graduation from high school, Sheynfeld served three years in the Israeli Defense Forces, reaching the rank of first sergeant. Despite the demands of military service, he managed to play soccer for local clubs and caught the eye of an Israeli talent scout connected to the collegiate soccer community in the United States.
With the help of a close friend, he connected with several American college coaches, narrowing his choices down to four schools. Ultimately, Adelphi University and its athletics program felt like the right fit. The day after being released from his military service, he jumped on a plane to start his first year.
He was immediately drawn to the strong sense of community that he felt at Adelphi—in particular, he recalls receiving guidance and mentorship from members of the men’s soccer support staff, including Abe Reece, Ronnie Schneider ’79 and Roby Young ’70.
Excelling on the Pitch and in the Classroom
Sheynfeld played for the Brown and Gold from 2001 to 2004, when the Adelphi men’s soccer team was an NCAA Division I program and a member of the now-defunct Atlantic Soccer Conference. The Panthers faced stiff competition, but more than held their own, notching wins over programs like Syracuse University, Seton Hall University and Stony Brook University.
“We had a really competitive program and the schedule was tough. We played against the best of the best. It was a great experience,” Sheynfeld recalled. “There were many foreigners (on the team), but you were placed into an existing community. Being a part of the team allowed me access to friends, guidance and I was able to learn from their experiences. It made the transition from Israel to the United States so much smoother. There was a lot of support from the team, athletic department, career center and older teammates.”
On the field, Sheynfeld earned first-team All-Conference honors as a senior in the fall of 2004. After college, he played professionally for the Long Island Rough Riders for two years, and he continues to play soccer recreationally in Florida. He has also represented the United States in the Maccabi Games, sometimes referred to as the “Jewish Olympics.”
While he was at Adelphi, Sheynfeld excelled academically. While majoring in finance, he was a two-time NSCAA/USC Scholar All-Region and CoSIDA Academic All-District recipient. Initially, he pursued computer science, inspired by Israel’s robust high-tech industry. However, during his first year, he found himself drawn to math and finance.
“I was in the computer science program for a year, and even though the classes were interesting and challenging, as I was immersing in other programs, the finance curriculum looked more like what I wanted to do, so I decided to major in it,” he said, noting that Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business provided a diverse array of classes that allowed him to explore different fields within business, from economics and marketing to finance and statistics.
“What Adelphi allowed me to do was try a lot of things and figure out what I like and have the right tools to be successful. I came out of school knowing where I can have the most impact,” Sheynfeld said.
An economics class taught by Associate Professor David Machlis, PhD, was especially impactful. “Dr. Machlis was very passionate about the subject and very creative. It became contagious, and he made it very fun. It was when I became 100 percent sure that I made the right decision to switch to the business school,” Sheynfeld recalled.
Building a Successful Career
After graduating from Adelphi with a Bachelor of Science in finance, Sheynfeld earned an MBA from Columbia Business School. With 20 years of experience in investments and operations, he now serves as a managing partner at Energy Impact Partners, a $4 billion-plus investment firm, where he oversees the direction and growth of the firm’s credit strategy.
Throughout his career, Sheynfeld has been involved in high-impact roles: He founded and served as chief executive officer and chief information officer of EMM Investments, led NTS Communications through a successful turnaround, and originated and executed middle-market transactions at CION Investments. His diverse experience has made him highly regarded for his ability to source, analyze, execute and monitor transactions while applying insights derived from successful operational exposure.
“My background and set of skills allow me to digest large amounts of data and be able to draw financial and operational conclusions. I also enjoy the collaborative environment of business and helping business owners unlock value in the companies they care so much about,” Sheynfeld explained.
Lessons Learned
Reflecting on his time at Adelphi, Sheynfeld emphasized the importance of time management and seeking help when needed.
“Between school and sports, it takes a lot,” he said. “You have to be very efficient with your time, focus and prioritize. When you don’t know something, ask for help. That’s what I told the younger guys who came after me, especially the foreigners. There are resources available for you. The Adelphi community cares and wants to see the students be successful, and to me that is the foundation for the success I have seen many Adelphi students have.”
His advice for current and future Panthers is straightforward: “Don’t be afraid to take risks and get out of your comfort zone. Bet on yourself. The cream always rises to the top, especially when you put the work in. Go to places that have upside potential (professionally and financially) and continue to utilize the valuable Adelphi alumni network. Don’t be shy to reach out for guidance.”