Alumni Career Chat: Chris Sotelo ’22S (MBA)
An MBA career path: product, payments, and the power of persistence
The financial services careers landscape is evolving rapidly, and the roles within it are no longer confined to traditional boundaries. They require adaptability, cross-functional expertise, and the ability to translate complex challenges into actionable solutions—skills that reflect the analytical thinking and adaptive problem-solving emphasized at University of Rochester Simon Business School.
That perspective anchored a recent webinar featuring Chris Sotelo ’22S (MBA), who joined Emily Sanders, Senior Career Services Specialist for undergraduates at Simon, for a dynamic conversation about navigating financial services careers, product management, and the growing influence of AI.
Sotelo, a first-generation college graduate, has built a career in financial services focusing on payments which is evolving fast. Today, he drives Commercial Card Virtual Card product capabilities in B2B payments at JP Morgan, helping enterprise clients across North America and European Economic Area create frictionless, secure, and scalable financial solutions.
Product management in financial services: from retail banking to strategy
Sotelo began his career in retail banking, working at several institutions where he gained first-hand insight into diverse product positioning and the everyday financial challenges individuals face. “I had a front-row seat to the struggles people have with money,” he explained, “and that sparked my passion for making financial services more accessible and impactful.” Early roles on solving consumer banking needs allowed him to build a foundation in relationship management and product knowledge, experiences that ultimately shaped his strategic approach in later roles.
When he decided to pursue an MBA at Simon, Sotelo focused on a corporate finance while exploring product management. This experience reflects the school’s emphasis on rigorous problem-solving and practical business application and prepared him to tackle both analytical and strategic challenges in financial services. His experience at Simon, coupled with a Liberty Mutual internship exploring pay-as-you-drive insurance products in South America, solidified his passion for technology and product development.
Navigating JP Morgan’s rotational program
Sotelo described his post-MBA journey through JP Morgan’s Chase Associate Program, a two-year rotational program offering exposure across consumer banking functions. “I gained exposure to various lines of business—including commercial dealer floorplan financing, consumer BNPL products, and Pay by Bank insights—which allowed me to take on diverse functional roles across risk, product management, and data analytics.” he said. “It gave me a broad perspective and allowed me to understand how different parts of the bank operate and connect.”
This rotational structure, he explained, is designed to help career professionals with experience continue to identify their strengths and passions while building internal networks—a combination that proved critical to his success. Simon instilled upon Sotelo, the value of making dynamic connections—linking students and alumni with opportunities that move ideas and industries forward.
Sotelo emphasized that networking is a powerful tool for MBA students when done strategically and authentically to navigate large organizations. “Approach networking as an opportunity to learn and build long-term relationships, rather than just a means to land a job," he said.
Product management and the role of AI
Sotelo also shared insights on the practical applications of AI in product management—an area where adaptive approaches and continuous learning are becoming essential in financial services.
“We have in-house AI tools that help automate tedious tasks—market research, data analysis, and presentation building,” he explained. “It allows me to focus on client needs and iterative problem-solving rather than routine work.” He stressed that AI is a tool, not a replacement, and that understanding its context and limitations is essential for anyone in technical-adjacent roles.
For non-technical professionals, Sotelo recommended building a foundation in data querying (SQL), agile project management (Jira), and high-level system architecture, such as how APIs work. “You don’t need to write production code, but speaking the language of engineering is critical,” he noted. “Understanding the underlying technology allows you to communicate effectively with developers, scope requirements accurately, and make informed product decisions.”
Standing out in competitive roles
When asked how students can position themselves for highly competitive roles at firms like JP Morgan, Sotelo emphasized the value of storytelling and authenticity. “Your story is your differentiator,” he explained. “Your experiences, your background, and how you communicate them—those are the intangibles that set you apart.” He encouraged students to approach networking with curiosity and humility and to always ask for next connections, building a chain of mentorship and insight.
He also highlighted the importance of practical experience and strategic thinking: “If you know you want to go into product, try to get relevant experiences first that help tell that story. The MBA is about rebranding and building the skills you need to make the jump, but early career experiences lay the groundwork.”
Driving Innovation with Purpose
Throughout the webinar, Sotelo made one point clear: the best products solve real problems for real people. From everyday banking tools to enterprise payment solutions, his work is focused on making financial systems easier to use, easier to trust, and more effective.
His journey from first-generation college graduate to VP at JP Morgan reflects the kind of persistence and purpose that drive long-term success. For Simon students, his message was simple: sharpen your skills, own your story, build real relationships—and keep going.
Watch the full video of the webinar here.
Rigorous Thinking.
Real Transformation.
Simon Business School develops analytical thinkers and adaptive problem-solvers who lead people, ideas, and industries into the future.