Joseph's journey is nothing short of remarkable. From a childhood marked by financial and food insecurity, he navigated academic scholarships and a challenging tenure at MIT, which included failing out due to chronic health issues and accumulating medical debt. Despite these setbacks, Joseph persevered, completing his PhD and rising to become an executive in portfolio management. His life is a testament to overcoming adversity through resilience, illustrating how one can forge a non-standard path to success.
Joseph’s Personal Story
Childhood & Neurodivergence
From an early age, Joseph learned to hustle. His mother, who was seriously injured by a drunk driver, faced ongoing health challenges that led them to move frequently around the Bay Area. Stability only came in high school, where Joseph spent more than two consecutive years at the same school. At 13, he began working in local Food & Beverage jobs to help with expenses, setting aside his earlier, lucrative hobby trading sports and comic cards.
During his early elementary years, Joseph was often disciplined for disruptive behavior and not following rules. It was only when he transferred to a non-traditional school that allowed students to learn at their own pace that he began to thrive; the same behaviors that once led to detention were now overlooked, sometimes even rewarded with time on a Sega console!
Joseph's academic potential became evident in his sophomore year of high school when he achieved a stellar PSAT score, earning him a spot in a summer program at the University of Pennsylvania. The following year, his exceptional SAT scores caught the attention of recruiters from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was personally invited to enroll.
Higher Education Struggle & Medical Debt
After doing well in his first semester, Joseph returned home for major surgery and subsequently faced a series of challenges. His earlier injuries required multiple surgeries, leading to medical debts exceeding six figures. To manage these costs, Joseph had to take on multiple jobs, which contributed to his academic difficulties and eventual departure from MIT.
Committed to completing his undergraduate degree, Joseph attended night school at the University of San Francisco, balancing his studies with his other responsibilities. By the age of 27, he had earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics with a 4.0 GPA, becoming the first transfer student to receive the prestigious Father Maraschi Award. His recognition at graduation, where he sat on stage alongside his professors, inspired him to pursue a PhD.
In parallel to his undergraduate studies, Joseph delved into the mathematics of music by earning a Master’s Certification in Production from the Berklee College of Music.
Pursuing His PhD & Health Challenges
Joseph began his PhD in Economics at the University of Washington in 2009, focusing on Econometrics and Public Finance. He developed a full-stack portfolio analysis and reporting system for the University’s Endowment, merging computational finance with risk forecasting. Simultaneously, he excelled in dual roles—software development and portfolio management.
Several years into his program, Joseph faced a severe health challenge, undergoing open heart surgery to correct an aortic aneurysm. Remarkably, after his recovery, he completed his dissertation in just six months—a rare achievement—and earned his PhD in 2014.
Joseph Today
Joseph is driven by a mission to apply the lessons from his personal experiences—being neurodivergent; overcoming adversity, financial and food insecurity; and chronic health issues—to inspire others to thrive and make a difference through non-standard and non-linear paths.
He currently holds the position of Managing Director of Quantitative Analytics & Risk at The Fremont Group and is a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University, where he focuses on Long-Term Investing. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the SF-Marin Food Bank, a role he has served in for nearly six years.
A passionate builder and maker, Joseph spends his free time constructing keyboards, computers, overland trucks, and remote-controlled cars. He is also venturing into thought leadership and content creation for social media, aiming to share his insights and inspire a broader audience.
He lives with his wife, son and dog in the Bay Area.