School of Business Administration

University of Dayton Finance and Accounting junior Megan Saylor had the opportunity to interview Julie Roach, a 1993 alumna who has recently joined the School of Business Administration’s Business Advisory Council (BAC). Roach, who graduated with a degree in accounting, began her career in public accounting before advancing to roles at J.P. Morgan and, currently, as treasurer at Diamond Hill Funds. A dedicated "Forever Flyer," Roach has consistently shown her commitment to the Dayton community by serving on the Accounting Department Advisory Committee, staying active in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and now joining the BAC. Her ties to the university also extend to her family, as she is the mother of a current SBA marketing student.

Megan was deeply impressed by Julie Roach, noting her compassion and eagerness to support Dayton students. Roach has remained heavily engaged in the UD community and demonstrates a genuine desire to assist students, bringing extensive industry experience and insights that make her a valuable resource. In her role on the BAC, she aims to foster greater alumni engagement, helping to create more connections and opportunities for students.

Her involvement with the BAC brings her UD experience full circle, as she was once a student assistant in the Dean’s Office, where she supported BAC activities. Joining the council has been a longstanding goal, and her journey from student assistant to council member is a testament to her dedication and ambition. Roach’s impressive career and passion for giving back promise to be assets to the council and to the wider UD community.

Interview: 

Megan Saylor: How did you get involved with the Business Advisory Council?

Julie Roach: “When I was a student back in the day I worked in the Dean's office. I worked for the Dean, Dr. Rapp. As one of the student assistants in the office, we were always tasked with helping plan and prepare for the Business Advisory Council meetings and dinners. So it was kind of full circle when the opportunity came up. I had a conversation with Dean Collier about joining, so for me, that was always an ambition, since I had helped with the BAC during my time as a student. Since I've graduated, I've been serving in various volunteer capacities. I was on another Advisory Council, in which we used to host these business leadership awards. There were a couple of different ones that we had, and so I was on the committee that helped organize that event, review the applicants, and determine the winners. Then, I've been serving ever since then on the Accounting Advisory Council.”

Megan Saylor: How did you end up choosing UD for college?

Julie Roach: “It's funny I didn't know a lot about you UD. I grew up about 2 hours north of here. A couple of my classmates a couple years ahead of me had gone to UD, so I'd heard of it. I went to a Catholic grade school through high school, and  I don't think I knew initially even that it was a Catholic university, which is kind of funny. So I had a day off in November, and I went to visit Ohio Northern, and I just decided to tack UD on, you know, because it was straight down I-75. I just really had a great visit and liked what I heard. I learned a little bit about the honors program, which was structured differently back then than it is now. Back then it was only 40 people they looked at each year. They were looking for diverse majors and whatnot, and I applied for that and was accepted. I loved it from day one.” 

Following up from our discussion about this question, I was curious to ask where Julie is actually from in Northern Ohio due to my experience traveling up there. Julie is from a small town called Fostoria. There is an ice cream shop called Dietsch Brothers in nearby Findlay, OH so we were able to both agree that one has to stop there if they are in the area!

Megan Saylor: How did your experiences at UD prepare you for your current role?

Julie Roach: “I think that it's a very balanced approach of teaching you academics and curriculum that you need, but also exposing you to others in the industry - alumni, as well as just experiences. I found the career services team very top notch and helpful when I was going through resume writing all the way up to interviews. I think overall just the breadth of opportunities, you know, even outside of your major gives you the opportunity to kind of find your niche and be a well-rounded person. I also really admire and respect the whole Marianist culture and Marianist charism which I feel like I knew when I was at UD. Both of my girls went to Chaminade Julienne (local Dayton high school), which is a Marianist, sisters of Notre Dame sponsored school. So I have learned more over the last several years (where I serve on the board) of those blessings.” 

Megan Saylor: What do you wish you had known when you were in my position?

Julie Roach: “I think, not being afraid to really talk to professors and alumni. Even when I come back to speak, (occasionally I'll get an opportunity to speak on an accounting panel or something)  I will tell students, back in my day, if you wanted to connect with them, you had to make a phone call or write a note or something. I mean, now, you can connect via Linkedin and different aspects and a lot of alumni come back at regular events, but not being afraid to walk over, introduce yourself, say hello and ask questions. I was pretty comfortable since I knew a lot of faculty because I worked in the Dean's Office, but utilizing your professors is important because they can't help if they don't know. If you're an accounting major, get to know Dr. Keune as chair. They don't know what you're interested in or what you're thinking about. They can't help you. They can't read your mind, so talking to them about those opportunities is what I would recommend.”

Megan Saylor: Can you go through an overview of your career?

Julie Roach: “Back in the day we didn't have to have the 150 hours (for clarity: to become eligible for the CPA exam ). So I only went 4 years. I started out in public accounting at Deloitte. I was there for 19 years. And for me my path was slightly different, because I ended up specializing in the investment management field. So I audited mutual funds, private equity, hedge funds, all those type of things. Then, lot of the people that worked in that area in Dayton transferred to the Chicago office, but with family circumstances (my husband's an attorney, and has a practice here in Dayton) it just did not work for us. I was always very transparent with my mentors at Deloitte about exploring other opportunities, and was going to take one with the Mutual Fund Service Provider and was able to work out something where I transferred on paper. So I was able to work full time on engagements for the Chicago office, but also helped the northeast practice as well. So I got a lot of experience. I got very engaged with the industry, but an opportunity came up with J.P. Morgan in Columbus. They were looking for someone to lead their valuation oversight team and I was hired as an assistant treasurer. But my main focus was on the equity funds and on valuation oversight just because of my background in looking at risk and looking at controls. It was a great experience. And I wasn't specifically looking to leave, but I had trained my successor and the opportunity came up at Diamond Hill to be the treasurer of the funds.”

Megan Saylor: What unique perspective do you bring to the council?

Julie Roach: “Well, one of the things I talked with Dean Collier about is alumni engagement. I think that there's gotta be more that we could do to keep people connected, even from a donor perspective. Because when I've been working on the board at CJ (Chaminade Julienne), I've been helping out as well on the development side and learned a lot about engaging people to give back. I mean, not everyone's going to be giving the 1 million dollar request.  I was taught by my family, and I've tried to teach my kids to give back. I've given back to UD every year since I graduated. I may not be giving a million dollars, but I'm giving something because of the great experience I have had.  I just think that there's opportunities to continue to engage alumni a little bit more on that front. We just have such unique and talented people that were students in the School of Business. So, figuring out how we can maintain that connection in some way for them to give their time and talent - not just donations. But there's a lot of people doing some unique things, and UD does a pretty good job of engaging with a lot of those and bringing those experiences directly to the students that can only be of benefit.”

Julie spoke about her recent reconnection with her Delta Sigma Pi (Business Fraternity) “Big” at a recent concert in Cincinnati. I think this speaks to the strong bonds that alumni retain with each other after their time at UD.

Megan Saylor: What are you most excited about in your new role as a BAC member?

Julie Roach: “Being able to add value for the whole school instead of just focusing on the accounting department. I've still maintained my connection with Dr. Keune and the accounting department to help where I can there but being able to see things more broadly (Julie jokingly added that this is especially important since she hasn’t talked her daughter into being an accounting major). But, just being able to see things more holistically and see how I can benefit while getting to know Dean Collier a little bit better, and working with the other Dr. Keune (Marsha Keune) as well.  And just seeing how I can continue to be engaged and give back.”