Stephanie Castro '21MBA Pursues Passion for Business After Career Change
After starting her career in education, Stephanie Castro '21MBA decided it was time for a pivot—and she found her fit at Iona University, where she earned her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management in 2021.
Since then, Castro has built a successful career pursuing her passion for audit, technology and cybersecurity. She is currently an accounting manager at PetVet Care Centers, and recently was recognized by Influential Women as one of the Most Influential Women of 2025 for her previous work as a senior associate at PwC.
“I’m proud to represent Iona University as an alumna and passionate about empowering women in audit and tech and leading with purpose, integrity, and resilience,” Castro shared. “Iona provided the academic foundation and a supportive, values-driven community that encouraged ethical leadership.”
Learn more about Stephanie Castro
What do you love most about what you’re currently doing?
I love working in audit, technology and cybersecurity, where the work is evolving and intellectually challenging. I enjoy helping organizations strengthen their control environments and navigate risk with clarity, while translating complex issues into insights that business leaders can act on. I find fulfillment in mentoring others - especially women and early-career professionals - and creating space for growth and purpose.
Why did you decide to study Finance Management?
After spending years in the education field, I realized I wanted to deepen my business and financial expertise and create a broader impact at an organizational level. Earning my MBA gave me the foundation to pivot into audit and compliance, where I could combine analytical thinking with problem-solving, governance and risk management. It allowed me to build on communication, leadership and empathy skills while opening the door to a dynamic field in business, technology and accountability.
How did Iona prepare you for where you are today?
Iona gave me the confidence to pivot and lead with purpose. Academically, the MBA program strengthened my analytical, financial and strategic thinking, which became the foundation for my transition into audit, risk and compliance. The curriculum emphasized real-world application, ethical decision-making and accountability—skills I rely on daily when evaluating controls, managing risk and advising leadership. The supportive community and mission-driven culture encouraged me to trust my path and embrace challenges.
What advice do you have for current Iona students?
Embrace a non-linear path and don’t be afraid to pivot - seek out stretch opportunities early, especially those that challenge your confidence or expose you to new areas. Take advantage of Iona’s community by building relationships with professors, alumni and peers. Find mentors and be willing to mentor others as you grow. Finally, protect your well-being and define success on your own terms. A sustainable, purpose-driven career is built on continuous learning, balance and the courage to say yes to opportunities that push you forward.
What’s your fondest Iona memory?
My fondest Iona memory is the sense of community I experienced. Collaborating with my peers, learning from diverse perspectives and studying together not only strengthened my technical skills but also reinforced the value of collaboration, adaptability and shared resilience. That experience truly shaped how I learn, lead and work with others today.
What motivates you to give back to Iona?
Iona helped me redefine my career path and believe in my ability to pivot and grow. Giving back is a way to pay it forward - by supporting students who may be navigating uncertainty, non-traditional paths, or major transitions, just as I once did. I’m especially motivated to help students see that success isn’t linear and that with mentorship and perseverance, they can build meaningful and impactful careers.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.