Family info: Sara (24), Francesca (21), Giorgia (15), Leonardo (13)
Pets: Theo and Margot (4yo - rescued black cats) and Sassy (11yo - black and white rescued dog)
Name of business: Tuliptree Advisors
Rosanna, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. Your journey is truly Ryemarkable—growing up in Italy, pursuing a career in mathematics, and ending up on Wall Street!
Can we start at the beginning? What was it like growing up in a convent in Italy, and how did that shape your path into mathematics?
Thank you! Yes, growing up in a convent was a unique experience. It wasn’t always easy, but one of the nuns there, who also happened to be my math teacher, played a huge role in shaping my future. She was strict but incredibly loving and inspiring. She made me fall in love with math, and that’s what set me on the path to pursuing a degree in mathematics in college.
What sparked your moved to the US?
I came to the US because when we got married both me and Alberto started a PhD program in Italy: Alberto’s PhD is in electronic engineering, and mine is in mathematics of finance. Back in the late ‘90s (now you know how old I am!), when you were accepted into a PhD program in Italy you needed to study abroad to complete it. It was a requirement. Alberto was convinced that coming to the US would provide him with lots of opportunities—it was the dot com era, and many of his friends went to work for startups.
I, instead, wanted to stay in Europe because I had the opportunity to be a professor at the University of Torino and, most of all, we had just gotten married: you know, we had our new apartment, new furniture, new everything…
But Alberto convinced me to apply to the US with him. I was accepted at Columbia University as a student in the school’s Master’s program in Mathematics of Finance, which had just started up that year. Unfortunately, Alberto was not accepted, but he suggested that we book a trip to visit NY and make a decision once there. I was so afraid: my English was not perfect (fortunately, I was a math major), the Italian lira against the dollar was at an all-time high, and we had spent all of our money on the wedding.
So I had no idea where to find the money to pay for Columbia or my stay in NY—not to mention that Alberto could not have stayed in NY with me! But we got on the plane to NY, and I was sitting in front of a family with little kids who were jumping and kicking our seats; I turned around and asked the mom if she needed a babysitter. Instead of taking my question as an insult, the mom responded, “Yes, you’re hired,” and I landed at JFK with a job that helped me pay for my studies.
That first year at Columbia and in the US without Alberto, working and studying, was not easy. But it went by quickly, and by the time I finished my Master’s Alberto had found a position in the US. At that point I decided to stay with him, and I went in for an interview at Goldman Sachs. You know the rest of the story…
That’s incredible! Can you tell me a bit about your studies and when you decided to pursue a career in finance?
Yes, my thesis was focused on the Brouwer Degree, which is a concept in topology that plays a role in understanding the stability of solutions of differential equations. It's a technical topic, but essentially, it’s about using mathematical tools to ensure that certain systems behave predictably. That foundation in theory was crucial later when I transitioned into finance.
After college, I was teaching high school math for a couple of years, but one day I was walking through Torino, my hometown, and saw a sign for an exam to become a TA for the mathematics of finance. The exam had already started, but I insisted on taking it anyway and ended up getting the job. That role sparked my passion for finance, and I later pursued a Ph.D. in the Mathematics of Finance at the University of Brescia. That’s how I eventually made my way to New York to fulfill my Ph.D. requirements and became part of the first class of the Master’s in Mathematics of Finance at Columbia University.
From the convent to Columbia to Goldman Sachs’ elite Alpha group—you've had quite the journey as a trailblazer! What was it like stepping into that role with no background in programming or finance?
It was a steep learning curve! I had no experience with computer programming or trading when I joined the group, but I had to learn quickly. The Alpha group managed some of the most significant portfolios at Goldman, including those of the partners and wealthy clients. Working with brilliant minds like Robert Litterman and other prominent figures in finance was a privilege, and I realized how important it was to bridge theory with real-world applications. That’s something I emphasize now when I teach my students at Columbia.
You’ve spoken about the importance of creativity in trading, which isn’t something we typically associate with finance. Can you tell us more about that?
Creativity is crucial in finance, especially when it comes to trading. As a quant analyst and later a trader, I realized that math alone wasn’t enough—you needed to think outside the box and come up with innovative models and strategies. I even started sketching caricatures of traders to lighten the mood on the trading floor, and those creative moments allowed me to connect with colleagues in unexpected ways. Creativity helped me stand out and led to some proprietary algorithms that contributed to my success as a trader.
Amazing! You went from being the only woman on the trading floor to leading a $3-billion portfolio at Intesa Sanpaolo, selling it just before the Lehman collapse and saving billions. How did you know to make that call?
It all came down to understanding. When I couldn’t make sense of the mortgage-backed securities in that portfolio, I knew it was too risky to hold onto them. My philosophy has always been, “If you don’t understand it, don’t trade it.” That decision turned out to be one of the most important of my career, and it’s something I pass on to my students today. Trust your intuition and make sure you fully grasp the products you’re dealing with.
Now, you’re teaching at Columbia, and you’ve started your own investment advisory firm, Tuliptree Advisors. How does your experience on Wall Street influence the way you teach?
My goal as a professor is to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I want my students to leave my class with a deep understanding of both the math and the real-world application. My experience as a trader and risk analyst shapes the way I design my courses—students need to be able to not only create models but also explain them, just like I had to communicate with executives and even the Federal Reserve. I also encourage creativity and entrepreneurship, which is why I’m excited about starting Tuliptree Advisors. I hope it inspires my students to challenge themselves and pursue their dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem.
What is your best advice for moms (either professionally or personally)?
True wealth is not about finishing lines or numbers; it is about using whatever material abundance we have to enrich others. This is the reason why I decided to quit my career on Wall Street and become a financial advisor who helps women become materially and spiritually wealthy. I picked the "Tuliptree" as symbol for my company because it is a tree that you can find in many backyards in Rye, and it grows strong, with beautiful flowers.
What are some fun facts about you (things you enjoy to do, Netflix series you watch, books you'd recommend)?
I am an artist: I like to paint and make sculptures. I like to draw caricatures of people—I used to draw caricatures of the badly behaving traders on the trading floor at Greenwich Capital—which I believe was my ticket to becoming a trader.
On Netflix, I like to watch different shows with my husband and kids: for instance, Suits, Gilmore Girls, Grace and Frankie, and Seinfeld.
In terms of books I have recently enjoyed reading: The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, and The Soul of Wealth by Daniel Crosby.
We love Rye and all it has to offer. We have been living in Rye since 2004 and our older daughter started kindergarten in Osborn the year after. When our younger son graduated elementary school in 2022, the Brizios had spent 17 straight years in Osborn!
Your story is so inspiring, Rosanna. Thank you for sharing your journey with us today!
Thank you! It’s been a pleasure, and I hope my story encourages others to follow their passions, wherever they may lead.
Where can we find you?
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