Always a Patriot: Kendel Saigol’s Journey from CDS Lifer to the Fast-Paced World of New York City Finance
Beginning in the nursery at Carrollwood Day School and landing in the fast paced world of finance, Kendel Saigol’s story is one of growth and connection. A proud CDS lifer, Kendel carried the lessons of the IB program and the strength of lifelong friendships all the way to New York City, proving that the CDS journey truly lasts a lifetime.
Some stories feel like they have been quietly unfolding for years, long before the milestones and job titles ever appear. Kendel Saigol, Class of 2018, is one of those stories.
Kendel’s journey with CDS began at the very beginning. “As a lifer at CDS, my experience was very positive and shaped who I am today,” she shared. “I started at CDS in the nursery at the lower campus, and those are some of my first memories.” She was part of the school’s tenth graduating class, a perspective that allowed her to witness the school’s growth in real time, from campus expansions to new traditions that would later define the student experience.
During her years at CDS, Kendel immersed herself fully in the life of the school. The IB program played a particularly meaningful role in her development. “I think the IB education was really important for my development; critical thinking, active listening, and the ability to see things from different perspectives.” Those skills, she explained, extended far beyond the classroom. Time management, teamwork, and leadership became part of her daily rhythm through academics, athletics, and involvement across campus.
Her reflections carry a theme that resonates with so many alumni. “I was challenged academically, but also developed confidence in myself, both personally and professionally. I really felt like I belonged in the CDS community.”
After graduation, Kendel continued her academic journey at Tulane University, where she earned a degree in finance and became involved in Alpha Kappa Psi, a co ed professional business fraternity. It was there that her interest in finance sharpened into a clear career path. Sophomore and junior year summers were spent as an investment banking summer analyst with Wells Fargo, experiences that proved transformative. Her junior year internship ultimately opened the door to her first full time role.
In 2022, Kendel began working as an investment banking analyst for Wells Fargo in Charlotte, NC, stepping into the fast paced world of banking with the same drive that defined her as a student. Charlotte also offered something unexpected and deeply personal. It became the place where CDS connections resurfaced in the most natural way.
While living there, Kendel reconnected with fellow alumni Aldemair Benito '19 and Luke Darlison '19. A chance meeting during a night out brought familiar faces back into her life. What began years earlier as friendship at CDS evolved into something more meaningful. Kendel and Luke, both CDS graduates, formed a relationship that has now spanned two years, a reminder of how enduring the CDS network can be.
In September 2024, Kendel took the next step in her professional journey, joining Neuberger Berman as an Associate on the Capital Solutions team in New York City. Her work now centers on investor relations and capital formation, a role that draws upon the same communication, analytical thinking, and interpersonal skills first cultivated in her CDS classrooms.
When asked to look back, Kendel’s memories of CDS are grounded not only in academics, but also in moments of joy and community.
“My favorite memory at CDS is winning the State Championship with the volleyball team my senior year. That season was so special to me because it was the last time I played competitive volleyball. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my sports career with such a great team, and we had an amazing support system with the broader CDS community.”
Her favorite traditions reflect the full arc of growing up at CDS: Funtastic Friday, Homecoming Week, and the Outreach360 trip to Nicaragua, which blended friendship, service, and cultural discovery.
Kendel’s story is one of continuity. A student who began in the nursery, grew through the IB program, built lifelong friendships, and carried those experiences into a thriving career. It is also a story of reconnection, of how CDS relationships have a way of resurfacing in new cities and new chapters.
Most of all, it is a reminder that the CDS experience is never confined to the years spent on campus. For Kendel, those early lessons and connections continue to shape a journey that is still very much unfolding.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!