Dan Klodarska ’13, managing director at State Street, one of the world’s largest asset management firms, returned to Immaculata University this February to share insights from his professional journey with Immaculata University’s Finance Society.
From his early days as an Immaculata student-athlete and resident assistant to his current leadership role, Klodarska discussed the technical skills, initiative and interpersonal acumen that has shaped his career. Hoping to inspire current Mighty Macs, his visit offered more than a reflection on professional achievement; it was an opportunity to guide the next generation of financial leaders who are facing an industry influenced by rapid technological change.
Klodarska pursued a degree in finance at Immaculata while competing on the lacrosse team. Recognized as a student leader and Business Student of the Year, Klodarska believes his most impactful undergraduate experiences came through experiential learning opportunities, including visits to major stock exchanges in Philadelphia, New York and Chicago.
“Seeing how the entire exchange works off of relationships was eye-opening,” he said. “It’s hard to understand the mechanics of the markets solely through a textbook.”
Immaculata courses like personal finance, paired with mentorship from faculty, influenced his early post-graduate years, providing a foundation for his approach to wealth-building and financial discipline.
After graduating, he began his career at SEI before transitioning to State Street, an opportunity that came through maintaining connections with fellow Immaculata alumni. Early in his career at State Street, Klodarska closely observed where his company was investing its resources and strategically positioned himself in those areas, recognizing them as key opportunities to make meaningful contributions and distinguish himself.
More than a decade later, he has advanced to managing director, where he is a leader within the solutions engineering space, working with clients and internal product teams to develop both standard and customized investment solutions.
Klodarska gives the same advice to students as they begin to plan their future careers. “Look where investment and resources are flowing, in the broader economy, within your company and inside your department, and position yourself in that growth area.”
By aligning himself with a high-growth area of the business, Klodarska was able to take on visible, strategic work that helped his path to managing director, not only shaping his career trajectory but also informing his perspective on leadership in today’s rapidly transforming financial landscape. Klodarska sees automation and technology such as AI, playing a central role in innovating the future of financial services. Along with a solid technical awareness, he believes that being a good leader requires strong interpersonal skills.
He highlighted several practical strategies for building a successful, sustainable career: focus first on learning in your early roles and understanding how your work fits into the bigger organizational picture; build strong relationships from the start, recognizing that peers can become lasting professional connections; seek out mentors and decision-makers, valuing proximity to leadership; and remain adaptable, with a willingness to embrace new opportunities and emerging technologies.
He also underscored the importance of developing strong communication and presentation skills—both one-on-one and in front of an audience—as critical to long-term growth.
“Communication, and specifically effective communication, is still essential,” he said. “Being able to communicate what you do and why it’s important to the overall client’s business is key.”
While Klodarska’s early career was defined by a strong focus on professional hustle and growth, his perspective has shifted as he’s settled into his role. Today, he consciously works to maintain a balance between his work and family life, a decision that reflects his now broader definition of success.
“I chose to prioritize my career in my 20s,” he said. “As I achieved my goals, I was able to shift more time and energy into building a successful personal life as well.”
This view also influences how he approaches giving back. Initially contributing through donations, he now places increasing value on sharing his time and experience with Immaculata students and alumni. “I had an amazing, life-altering experience at Immaculata University,” he said. “I’m hoping to pay that forward.”
