Whether he’s managing payroll for a dozen different countries or navigating the complex world of international finance, David Fischler ’18 MBA ’22 knows that success isn’t just about the numbers – it’s about the foundation you build before the work even begins.
David serves as the Head of AME SMC Payroll (Americas Small-Mid Sized Country Payroll) at UBS. Based out of the firm’s Weehawken, N.J. office, he oversees payroll and benefits for a vast international portfolio, including Chile, Colombia, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Panama, Uruguay, and Mexico.
It’s a massive responsibility, but for David, the journey to the top of a Swiss global financial services firm started in the classrooms of Mount Saint Mary College.
David didn't just walk into a leadership role; he earned it through a combination of academic rigor and a willingness to venture into the unknown. After transferring to the Mount from SUNY Sullivan in 2016, he hit the ground running in the Business Management program.
Reflecting on his undergraduate years, David credits the curriculum and the faculty for preparing him for the high-stakes world of international banking.
“I’ve learned a lot of great skills at the Mount,” he explained. “I really enjoyed my professors and classes. Once I’d graduated with my bachelor's degree, it allowed me to go out and venture off where I was recruited to work for an international bank.”
He added that the diversity of the coursework provided the essential tools he uses daily: “It was a lot of the stuff that I learned at the Mount, in different types of classes or subjects, that really helped mold me to who I am today.”
While his undergraduate degree got him through the door, David knew that if he wanted to hit the big leagues, he’d need to level up his game. He came back to the Mount to earn an MBA, a move that shifted his career trajectory from contributor to leader.
“That’s when I took on more of a leadership role, once I graduated with my MBA,” he said. “It was something that opened up that avenue to becoming a leader. I was kind of scared of doing it. But I had some great professors here that said take on the opportunity – don’t be scared of it.”
For David, being trilingual (English, Portuguese, and Spanish) was a game-changer. “Having a language skill set really does open up more opportunities with global companies because you do stick out and you’re an asset in many different ways.”
David’s career has been defined by rapid growth. So far, he’s been promoted three times within seven years – and he believes the next generation needs to be just as adaptable. His advice for incoming freshmen is simple: Don’t hide from the future; lean into it.
“Learn AI,” he suggests. “I think AI is the biggest thing that’s happened in a long time. It’s scary, but you can’t let it pass you by.”
He added, “Don’t be scared to take on challenges and do internships. Get your foot in the door somewhere.”