By: Blake Weaver ’27
For the last decade, Mrs. Tina Carlstrom has dedicated herself to building Chaminade’s Bloomberg Financial Literacy program, of which she has been a part of since its inception. She has brought to Chaminade her wealth of experience from over 25 years of working in finance.
This year, to honor her devotion, she was awarded with the Yearbook Dedication.
“The Yearbook Dedication is given to individuals who have shown extraordinary commitment and made meaningful contributions to advancing the mission of Chaminade High School,” stated Mr. Andrew Garcia ’16, moderator of the Yearbook club. At the end of this school year, Mrs. Carlstrom will be retiring, and stepping away from the program.
Mrs. Carlstrom grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia. She earned the Presidential Scholarship from Eckerd College in Florida, where she received a double major in Spanish and Business. When she began attending Eckerd she was unsure of what she wanted to study but had always been interested in languages so she decided to major in Spanish. However, after taking a few business classes she, “fell in love with the subject”, and decided to pursue a double major. Following college, she worked with several different financial groups including PaineWebber,
Merrill Lynch, and eventually Citi Group, where she worked for seven years and eventually became Managing Director.
While she had not been raised near Chaminade, she began to hear a lot about the school from numerous colleagues and clients, who had either attended Chaminade or whose sons attended. Impressed with what she had heard about the school and what she had experienced with Chaminade alumni, particularly the way in which they all support one another, she decided to send her two sons Luke ’14 and J.T ’18 to attend Chaminade.
After her career in finance, she happened to be at a Chaminade fundraising event, when Bro. Thomas Cleary S.M. ’81 announced that Chaminade had just acquired 20 Bloomberg Terminals and planned to create a financial literacy program. Excited by what she had heard, she wanted to share with Bro. Tom that she agreed that this was an amazing opportunity for the students of
Chaminade. During their conversation he asked her to assist Chaminade in building the program. She agreed, and since that moment she has been dedicated to creating a program that provides an invaluable opportunity for the students of Chaminade.
For Mrs. Carlstrom, the goal of the program is to allow people to, “understand how money works in the world, utilize the financial resources available to them, and ultimately enable them to make sound financial decisions along the way.”
The program helps students combat what Mrs. Carlstrom believes is one of the biggest challenges in today’s world, a lack of financial literacy. Chaminade’s Bloomberg Financial Literacy program is designed to help all students make sound financial decisions no matter what
career path they end up taking.
When Mrs. Carlstrom received the Yearbook Dedication she was initially shocked, but after letting it sink in she became incredibly humbled and honored. Mr. Garcia shared that “Mrs. Carlstrom received the award this year for her decade of service to Chaminade. Mrs. Carlstrom’s efforts in building up the Bloomberg program to the point where it is now, is a testament to her vision and dedication. As she winds down her time at Chaminade, she can rest assured knowing that the foundation she laid will remain strong.”
When asked about the value Mrs. Carlstrom has brought to Chaminade, Bro. Tom responded, “She set the gold standard on what a financial literacy course should be.” He added, “she not only taught hundreds of students how money works, she also taught them to be valuable and contributing young men in our world.”
Mr. Kevin St. Pierre ’85, who has worked alongside Mrs. Carlstrom and has also helped build up the program, shares, “It has been a true blessing working alongside Mrs. Carlstrom the past six years. She is a shining example of everything a Catholic school teacher should be. Her expertise is undeniable, but it is her faith, selflessness, love, and compassion that sets her apart. She will be sorely missed.”
Mrs. Carlstrom thinks of her retirement as “bittersweet,” saying “I’d like to thank Bro. Tom for giving me the opportunity, and Mr. Kevin St. Pierre for bringing such knowledge and dedication to the program.” She adds, “ I am grateful and honored to be a part of the Chaminade family and to have been able to take so many amazing things I have learned along the way and share it with
these awesome students.”
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