Derick Ansah ’17 Named “914 Inc.” Business “Wunderkind”
The magazine recognizes the Economics alum for his wealth management expertise and for his community service.
Derick Ansah ’17 empowers community members to focus on their financial futures and mentors young people on financial literacy.
That’s why Westchester Magazine’s 914 Inc. publication named him a 2026 “Wunderkind”—one of their selected “under-35 go-getters” who are “changing Westchester’s business scene.”
Empowering Financial Success
As an Assistant Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Tompkins Financial Advisors, Ansah aligns the financial strategies of his clients and their families with mission-driven outcomes through his expertise in financial planning, investment management, and trust and estate planning. And he visits local branches to lead “Invest Days” to help individuals better manage their money.
Personally, he serves the community as both a junior board member of a non-profit focused on expanding access to quality healthcare for underserved populations and as a mentor to middle school through college-age students, “to help them build confidence, leadership skills, and foundational financial literacy.”
Purchase Blueprint
Ansah’s collective experiences at Purchase appear to lay the groundwork for his success. Following a rigorous interview process, he landed an internship in wealth management at nearby Morgan Stanley (which he learned of via Career Development’s JobScore database).
As an EOP student, he mentored peers in the program. And, with an eye on financially empowering others, he co-founded a startup to help young athletes navigate the complexities of collegiate and professional sports while learning basic pocketbook economics with his varsity basketball teammate, Max Pearce ’18. Together, they won the Economics program’s first annual Shark Tank competition on campus.
He also served as the Economics Club’s director of marketing.
Proof of Purchase
Congratulations to Ansah, who represents the very best of Purchase for both his professional achievements and his focus on civic responsibility.