As a former collegiate gymnast, Elaina Greco knows a thing or two about competition. But as a junior in the finance program at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Greco has learned that succeeding in the face of opposition stems not just from willpower or talent—true progress is often the result of mutual support and shared growth.
Greco fueled an early desire for financial independence by enrolling in accounting, personal finance, economics, and equity research courses while attending high school in Pepperell, Massachusetts.
On top of her studies, Greco trained at an Olympic gymnastics center for around 24 hours each week. Through the intense training, Greco learned to navigate rigorous situations and handle critical feedback constructively. “The competitive standards and constant evaluation forced me to develop resilience and a high threshold for frustrating results,” she explains.
Greco found her resilience essential as she joined the BYU women’s gymnastics team, and that same resilience would also become crucial in her finance studies, although not in the competitive manner she expected.
“When I joined the BYU Marriott finance program, I found an environment that emphasized collaboration and mutual support,” Greco recalls. She shares that faculty, like Ian Wright, the undergraduate finance program director, often remind students to lift each other rather than compete, emphasizing that there are ample opportunities for everyone on Wall Street.
She has worked hard to build her portfolio, becoming a finalist in both the Dodge & Cox Investment Case Competition and the BYU Marriott Stock Pitch Competition. In the last year, she has interned at several investment firms, including The California Endowment and Brigham Capital. But rather than attributing her success to her own efforts, Greco credits the guidance of her mentors.
“One of the beneficial things about the finance program is that there are mentors who are willing to give hours of their time to help you learn,” Greco says. She has found herself surrounded by faculty and upperclassmen willing to invest in her growth, whether by providing insights into financial models or by breaking down the complexities of investment pitches. “Because of the support I received, I have tried to make it a priority to give back,” she says.
This semester, after completing the Girls Who Invest (GWI) program, a national educational initiative aimed at empowering women in finance, Greco became a GWI ambassador. Her responsibilities have included cohosting an information session on the GWI program and working one-on-one with several students, offering guidance on how to refine their applications and presentation skills. “Having been in their position, I know how valuable mentorship can be, and I strive to offer the same thoughtful support that was so generously shared with me,” she says.
Greco is committed to approaching her development as a mentor and a student with humility, passing on the knowledge and support that she has received. “I’ve seen how much more we can grow—both personally and professionally,” she says, “when we build meaningful relationships and help one another succeed.”
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Written by Kathryn Cragun
