Building a Career at the Intersection of Finance and Public Health: Emma Gallardo Martinez ’26 MSF

Emma Gallardo Martinez ’26 MSF, didn’t follow a typical path into finance. She arrived at the Eller College of Management with a background in public health and biochemistry, which might seem unrelated to financial markets, but prepared her more than she expected.

Emma first became interested in business during her undergraduate studies, thanks to a few elective courses. One project made a big impact: she used her own finances as a case study. "That really sparked my curiosity about financial decision-making and planning," she says. Although she didn’t complete enough credits for a minor, her interest continued. Later, when she took the summer prep course for Eller's graduate finance program, everything fell into place. She enrolled in the Online Master of Science in Finance and added a certificate in Real Estate Valuation.

The program was a big change from her earlier studies. At the same time, Emma learned she had an autoimmune disease at the start of her first year. She was also working full time as a Research Specialist at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. 

Balancing her health and a heavy course load challenged her in unexpected ways. "In theory, prioritizing and staying balanced sounds simple, but when everything feels equally important, it can be very difficult to maintain perspective," she says.

The support of those around her made a big difference. Finance Lecturer, David Zynda, in particular, helped by making tough material easier to understand while keeping it challenging. "He brings empathy into the classroom, clearly remembering what it's like to be in our position as students," she says. "In every class I've taken with him, I've felt supported and challenged in the best way."

That support changed the way Emma approaches her own habits. "Eller has taught me the importance of patience, grace, and diligence. Not just in academics and career, but in how I treat myself," she says. Now, she manages her finances more thoughtfully, sets clearer boundaries, and is more willing to ask for help.

Emma has also started using what she’s learning in real time. Her supervisor at the public health research lab introduced her to colleagues who work on finance tasks. This gave her hands-on experience with account reconciliation, budget planning for research events, and the basics of grant management. It’s her first look at the kind of work she hopes to do in the future, combining financial analysis with mission-driven organizations.

Emma’s next goal is the CFA. She has started preparing for the exams, knowing her path into finance is less traditional and determined to bridge that gap in her own way.

Emma’s advice to new students is to start exploring early, build real connections and don’t hesitate to ask for help. "Never be afraid to ask for help, and start building your network early," she says. "Nurture that network with genuine relationships, don't just focus on what others can do for you, but also what value you can bring to them."

Emma is still deciding exactly where her career will take her, but she knows she wants to work where finance and public health come together. Eller gave her the tools to move forward.

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