“Adelphi was my home away from home. I have so many great memories from the four years that I spent there.”
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10
Senior Financial Reporting Analyst, Gramercy Property Trust
“Adelphi was my home away from home. I have so many great memories from the four years that I spent there.”Since graduating from Adelphi, Raysa Lebron ’10 has put her accounting degree to good use, carving a successful career in corporate and public accounting with a focus in commercial real estate. Over the last eight years, she has gained invaluable experience at a number of well-known firms including Mazars USA LLP, Marks Paneth LLP, BDO USA LLP, PwC, Building and Land Technology, and Gramercy Property Trust Inc., where she is currently employed as a senior financial reporting analyst.
Lebron credits Adelphi’s accounting recruiting program with launching her career by helping her secure her first public accounting internship. At the University she also met many people who have been instrumental to her success. “Professor Ganesh Pandit was the person who introduced me to this field and taught me the basics that have led to where I am today,” she said. “Professor David Machlis was also a phenomenal economics professor.”
She is also thankful for the close bonds she developed with members of Adelphi’s Center for Career and Professional Development. “They were so helpful and patient…they were my cheerleaders throughout my time at Adelphi. Even after graduating I have stayed in touch—their dedication, amazing attitude, and willingness to help have not changed.”
Among her favorite experiences at Adelphi was serving as treasurer of the Student Government Association. “I worked with all student club members, traveled with my fellow cabinet and senate members, and participated in so many amazing events,” she said. “My experiences at Adelphi gave me a sense of responsibility and provided an amazing community that has shaped the woman I am today,” she said.
A big part of who Lebron is today centers around what she does outside of the office—her volunteer work. “I have always been involved in volunteer activities,” she said. “I strongly believe that we should all find a way to pay it forward. A little truly goes a very long way.”
She is currently a member of the Financial Women’s Association, an organization created for women and led by women, whose purpose is to empower and help them advance in their financial careers. “Within this organization, I’m part of the Financial Literacy Committee, which runs educational workshops to teach adults and teens skills and concepts related to budgeting, credit, savings, college applications, investing, and more,” she said. “It’s amazing meeting with middle and high school students and being able to answer their questions, challenge their thinking, and help show them their potential.”
She also volunteers for Her Justice. “This is an incredible non-profit organization which serves New York City women living in poverty with high-stake legal needs. Her Justice works with volunteer lawyers who provide pro-bono legal help to address individual and systemic legal barriers. The stories of the women who have been saved by this organization are heartbreaking and remarkable,” she said.
Last, she serves as a discovery docent for the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. “I lead different educational stations which our visitors, mainly children, can come to and learn about the flora and fauna in the garden,” she said. “Working with kids and helping them explore their imagination and curiosity is fun and rewarding.”
Lebron considers being a positive influence on the students she teaches through her volunteer activities to be one of her greatest accomplishments, professionally and personally.