On any given day, Thanh Evoniuk helps clients make decisions that carry real weight - buying a home, planning for the future, navigating uncertainty. But long before those conversations became her career, they became personal.
At Portland State University, Thanh didn’t just study finance, she reframed it. “PSU gave me a strong foundation in finance and accounting,” she said. “But what stayed with me most was being surrounded by people working toward something meaningful.”
In classrooms where students balanced careers, supported families, and rebuilt their lives, finance wasn’t abstract. It was immediate. Human. Essential. And that perspective stuck.
Today, it shapes how Thanh shows up for her clients, prioritizing clarity over complexity, and people over numbers.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For Thanh, some of the most impactful lessons happened outside traditional lectures. As a member of Beta Alpha Psi and later a graduate competitor in the ACG Cup, she gained early exposure to the realities of business and finance.
“These experiences helped bridge the gap between what we were learning and how it actually shows up in careers and business decisions,” she said. It wasn’t just about technical skill, it was about learning how to think, communicate, and make decisions in real-world contexts.
Building Community, Expanding Impact
Some of Thanh’s most meaningful work at PSU had nothing to do with grades, and everything to do with people.
Alongside her friend Alison, she co-founded the Beta Alpha Psi Diversity and Inclusion Committee, creating space for conversations that didn’t always happen in traditional academic settings. What started as an idea grew into a series of initiatives, including Embracing Vulnerability, the Emerging Professionals Diversity Conference, and a collaboration with the City of Portland to make financial information more accessible.
One project, in particular, left a lasting impression: helping translate the City’s financial report into Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Spanish. “It had a real impact on how people could access and engage with important information,” Thanh said. “It showed me that when different perspectives are welcomed rather than simply included, the outcomes become stronger.”
That belief continues to guide her work today, from how she listens to clients to how she collaborates with colleagues.
A Community That Doesn’t End at Graduation
When Thanh graduated in 2020, she expected a transition. What she didn’t expect was continuity. “Graduation did not feel like a separation,” she said. “It felt like expanding into a broader world while still belonging to the same community.”
Today, her PSU network includes former classmates who are now colleagues, entrepreneurs, and collaborators. That shared foundation continues to shape her career in ways both practical and personal.
Advice for Future Business Leaders
If there’s one thing Thanh emphasizes, it’s this: show up. “Most opportunities come from relationships and showing up consistently,” she said. “Be intentional about building those connections early.”
She also encourages students to balance ambition with adaptability. “Have a plan, but be open to adjusting it. A ‘no’ can often mean ‘not yet’ or ‘not this way.’ Growth comes from being challenged—but it should also be something you enjoy.”
For Thanh Evoniuk, finance was never just about numbers. It was, and still is, about people, purpose, and the impact thoughtful decisions can have on everyday lives.