Ryan Edwards, a recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), has started his career as a portfolio analyst at Humilis Investment Strategies. In this role, he helps clients make daily investment decisions, drawing on experience gained during his undergraduate studies at FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business.
“It was great exposure to actual money management where you’re required to do equity research, learn and have opinions and give stock pitches — which were definitely very helpful,” Edwards said about his time working on the Eagle Fund, an applied investments class at FGCU. He credits this experience with preparing him for his current position in investment.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Edwards enrolled at FGCU in 2022 with an early interest in financial markets. His enthusiasm for economics grew after taking honors microeconomics with Dr. Amelia Biehl during his first semester. “The first semester I had the chance to take honors microeconomics with Dr. (Amelia) Biehl, and that was my first real exposure to economics,” he said. “I really kind of fell in love with it.”
Edwards’ passion was further solidified through courses such as macroeconomics with instructor Thomas Mathews and other activities related to his double major in economics and finance. He contributed to the community by teaching financial literacy classes at the Guadalupe Center in Immokalee and tutoring fellow students as well as local high schoolers. He also participated in the Student Trading Optimization Club.
In addition to academic pursuits, Edwards played as a defender on FGCU’s 2022 men’s soccer team during his first year. Reflecting on this experience, he said: “I had to be up every single morning for practice. You get your day going, you’re focused and locked in. And coming in as a freshman student-athlete, you’re required to do study hall hours. And so you have dedicated time where you’re sitting down doing work and focusing on school.”
Edwards completed internships over two summers at JP Morgan Private Bank in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Moran Wealth Management in Naples. He attended the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders’ meeting last May—where Warren Buffett announced his retirement—and presented alongside industry professionals at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium Conference in Orlando.
Mentorship played a significant role throughout Edwards’ college years; Brian Belski—a veteran investment strategist—guided him during college before hiring him when launching Humilis Investment Strategies this fall in Naples. The firm provides investment portfolios for banks and wealth firms across Canada and the United States.
Edwards highlighted how FGCU’s location near regional investment firms benefits both students seeking mentorship opportunities and employers looking for new talent.
For those considering a career in finance, Edwards advised: “I feel that not enough people read at the amount that they should,” he said. “In the financial world there’s constantly new things going on. Keeping up to date as much as you can and formulating your own opinions on things is super important.”
He attributes his progress to continual learning, mentorship from Belski, engaging with differing viewpoints—and ultimately—to FGCU itself: “FGCU has played a pivotal role in my development, providing me with the knowledge, resources and connections that have fueled my success,” Edwards said.
