Todd C. Rogers knows firsthand the power of opportunity, and now he’s paying it forward.
Rogers has made a lasting impact on the University of Miami by establishing the Todd C. Rogers Endowed Scholarship in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Rogers hopes his gift will give students the same transformative experiences that shaped his own journey at the University.
“It’s for students who are studying either finance or entrepreneurship, since that lines up with my experience and my passions,” explained Rogers, who graduated from the Miami Herbert Business School. “I hope that it reduces financial barriers to enable someone to go to Miami that maybe couldn’t have otherwise.”
Rogers, a seasoned Wall Street trader, entrepreneur, and former Supercuts franchisee, has built a career centered around strategic financial decisions and business ventures. Now president of Jacaranda Capital, he recognizes the importance of supporting young talent in finance and entrepreneurship—fields he believes require not only knowledge but also hands-on experience and mentorship.
“If you’ve got the right quantitative skills, the next level is to understand the discipline and how to apply it in the real world,” he said. “My advice to students would be to take full advantage of their education, work hard, and interact with their professors and business professionals to understand how this material applies beyond the classroom.”
While Rogers has long been a dedicated supporter of his alma mater, his connection to the University deepened when his son, Chris, enrolled. This transition from alumnus to parent provided new perspective, reinforcing his belief in the University’s mission and its efforts to expand financial aid opportunities for students.
“I’ve followed the University’s progress since my time there, and it’s incredible to see how much it has grown,” Rogers said. “The business school wasn’t ranked when I attended, but now it has an established reputation and still has room to grow. If I can play a role in helping Miami move up the ranks and be a top choice for students, that means a lot to me.”
Beyond his financial contributions, Rogers is also eager to play a direct role in students’ professional growth. “In an ideal world, the committee will select the right scholarship recipients, and I’ll be able to help them as a mentor, hopefully getting them on a path to a fulfilling career that benefits the University and the broader community.”
Rogers’ philanthropic spirit is inspired in part by meeting other University supporters, particularly through his involvement with the Golden Canes Society.
A proud and engaged alumnus, Rogers wears his Hurricane pride on his sleeve—quite literally. “Orange is my favorite color, and it is prominent on my tattooed sleeve. I even have an orange car, and that’s no coincidence—it’s because of my passion for orange and green.”