The Future of Business: Career Speaker Series Returns

The Unionville Career Speaker Series returns again this year with an exciting list of new speakers. During the career speaker series, professionals from various careers come to the high school once a month to speak about their professions and share insights into their fields. These sessions are run by, College and Career Counselor, Mrs. Anne Davis who reaches out and plans a new speaker every month. The series aims to provide students with opportunities to learn about a variety of careers directly from professionals. Students are provided with real-world advice and an engaging session to develop their interests.

This series begins with the September career speaker, Mr. Amol Dhargalkar, Chairman and Senior Managing Director, Corporate Development at Chatham Financial. Originally majoring in chemical engineering, he later pursued business at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, driven by his passion for business and desire to help others grow. “He was very intrigued by business and he liked helping people,” said freshman Anya Dhargalkar, daughter of Amol Dhargalkar and a student at the high school. With over 25 years of experience, Dhargalkar advises clients on market decisions across debt and derivatives, and has negotiated large-scale deals across companies. Anya gave a look at what drives his successful career and highlighted key aspects in his industry. “Having people skills, good communication, and an awareness of how your actions and other people’s actions can affect deals,” said Anya.

Dhargalkar’s presentation will introduce students to a career in the professional field of finance and will offer advice on entering the field and building a lasting career. His presentation will give students insight into his profession and the lessons he has learned throughout his career.

Amol Dhargalkar is only the first career speaker for the 2026-27 school year. He’ll be visiting on September 30th during 3rd period. For more information on future speakers check your email regularly for updates from Anne Davis and reach out with any additional questions.

Career Speaker Series List

• September 30, 3rd pd: Amol Dhargalkar, Chatham Financial - Chairman
• October 29, 3rd pd: Cindy DeFronzo, Lane Office Furniture - Design Director
• November 16, 2nd pd: Darcy Reisman, Univ. Delaware - Professor and Chairperson, Department of Physical Therapy
• December (Date TBD): Jeffrey Elliott Wood, FBI - Supervisory Special Agent (retired)
• January 22, 3rd pd: Jon Cox, Univ. Delaware - Associate Professor, Department of Art and Design, Professional photographer, naturalist, and educator
• February (Date TBD): Kathy Hammil & possibly other, Johnson & Johnson - Vice President and Group Leader, Regulatory law, Oncology, Innovative Medicine
• March 15, 2nd pd: Commander Beth Carter, Navy - Director, Public Health
• April 6, 3rd pd: Janelle Wade, National Basketball Association (NBA) - Linear Ad Operations Manager, Global Media Operation Department
• May: TBD