Earlier this school year, BEAM (Blake Economics and Asset Management Club) formed through the merger of the BAM (Blake Asset Management Club) and Economics Club, which was founded in 2017 with a $20,000 donation from a Blake alumnus to create a student-managed investment fund. While the money belongs to Blake, students are responsible for researching investments and managing the portfolio.

The Economics Club was founded three years ago, and its focus was to discuss economics and attend Minnesota Economics Club events. With the merger, students interested in both economics and asset management can now learn about both topics in one club.

“We manage [an investment portfolio], and we bring in guest speakers to talk to our members who are interested in all things business-related,” said BEAM co-president Jesse Posada ‘26.

During meetings, members of BEAM mainly manage the stock portfolio. Members prepare stock pitches during the week and present them at meetings. The other main activity is listening to Twin Cities business leaders who are brought in as guest speakers, such as Xcel Energy CEO Bob Frenzel, who spoke at a BEAM meeting on May 14. 

“[My favorite part of BEAM is] hearing different stock pitches and interviewing the CEOs and other important things in finance,” said head analyst Will Schwemm ‘27.  For students interested in pursuing a career in finance or business, Schwemm says that “the stock pitches are good practice for investment banking and making deals.” 

BEAM recently held its final meeting of the year; however, if you would like to sign up, you can find them at the club fair next fall. With Posada and co-president Graham Everett ‘26 graduating this year, several leadership positions will open next year.

For those interested in joining BEAM, “the best thing to do is to join the club, show up to meetings, give stock pitches, have a loud voice when we discuss the portfolio, bring in ideas for guest speakers, and basically just be an upstanding club member,” says co-president Jesse Posada ‘26.