Planning for the Future

Pjay Togunde has found a way to combine her interests in financial education and sports and entertainment to do good in the banking industry. 

As a business strategist in the UBS Athletes and Entertainers client segment, Togunde works closely with financial advisors to provide them with the resources they need to meet their clients' unique needs. “I specifically love wealth management because of the ability to make an impact and help people,” she said. “It’s great knowing that I can make a good career by helping others learn how to manage their finances.”

As a student, Togunde completed an externship with UBS during her sophomore year and then a summer internship with the organization the following year. After graduation, she moved to NYC and began in UBS’ Graduate Talent Program. Rotating between the six different areas of wealth management provided an inside look into day-to-day operations. After two years, she chose to join the Athletes and Entertainers segment where she has been since 2021.

Togunde supports the segment’s growth through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, events, and programming and has conversations with financial advisors about their business and how best to assist them.

“Financial education is one of the pillars of our segment, as we believe that athletes and entertainers need access to the right information and materials to make sound financial decisions,” she said. “We create whitepapers and educational resources that provide tips on what this client segment should think about regarding their finances.”

Video content is another resource her team produces. As part of a partnership with UBS Arena and the New York Islanders, Togunde interviewed a former NHL player to see how they prepared for the next stage of their career after hockey.

“We think it’s important for athletes and entertainers to start planning now for the future. So, we curate conversations and interviews with these individuals to discuss their experience with money, mistakes they’ve made, and encourage them to think about their legacy,” she said. “These exchanges inspire other athletes and entertainers to start thinking as well, creating a ripple effect.”

Along with continuing the video series, Togunde plans to earn her Certified Financial Planner designation to increase her impact in serving clients. “There will always be a demand for this industry,” she said. “When it comes to a career in financial services, there are many different areas to choose from, and there may be teams or roles you don’t expect that are a combination of your interests. I always encourage students to learn more about what’s possible.”