Eric Izzo Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Naperville, Illinois, United States

Congerville, Illinois

Graduate classes in a sustainability program can be very abstract. While the two classes I took at Harvard Extension School were useful, I want to understand a practical application of what a sustainable business may look like. Although I am not a farmer, I feel there is much to be learned from working on a small farm. It is the simplest form of business. Fortunately, I found a great farmer, teacher, and businessman in Henry Brockman.

After working at Merrill for about a year and a half and being exposed to the brokerage business, I realized that I have a strong passion for how sustainability principles can be incorporated into business and investing. What is a “sustainable” business or investment? How do you create a “sustainable” business or investment fund? These are the questions I set out to answer, and thus I began taking courses at Harvard Extension School to deepen my understanding of sustainability studies.

Rolling Meadows, Il

My positions at Merrill, both the general customer service representative and small business specialist, were primarily customer service roles with a slight service-to-sales tilt. I learned about the power of great customer service. While it can be a mundane, repetitive, and at times a difficult task to do well, if it's done right, seeking to delight clients today can create a loyal customer base down the road. I learned that wonderful customer service is also a big selling point. People want to work with businesses and individuals whom they can trust, and more often than not, they want to know if you can solve smaller, simpler problems before they give you the opportunity to solve some of their bigger, more complex ones. I was fortunate to have managers at Merrill Edge teach me the right way to do it, and I will carry those lessons with me no matter where I travel in my career.

Rolling Meadows, Il

Bachelor'S Degree, Finance, General, 3.95/4.00

Activities and Societies: Phi Gamma Delta

Master'S Degree, Sustainability Studies