THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 10, 2025
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FOUNDED 1895 • THE NATION’S OLDEST COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
Volume CLII — No. I
record.pingry.org
Monday, November 10, 2025
ON PRINCIPLES AND PINGRY An Interview with 2025 Letter-In-Life Recipient Jeffrey N. Edwards ‘78
TINGTING LUO (VI)
well for that.” After working at
part of the Board, serving as a
learned, he emphasized the
‘18 all graduated from Pingry, and
SIMRIN SHAH (VI)
Chase Manhattan Bank for three
trustee for 18 years, from 2004 to
importance of adaptability,
his siblings are Pingry alumni.
years, he left to earn an M.B.A.
2022, including seven years as Chair
highlighting that every company
When asked about his family, Mr.
Jeff Edwards, Pingry class
at Harvard Business School.
of the Board from 2014 to 2021, and
and organization is different, and
Edwards stated, “I’m most proud
of ‘78, was awarded the Pingry
During his career, Mr. Edwards
is now an Honorary Trustee. As
effective leadership requires both
that I have three sons and a wife
Letter in Life Award, the highest
spent 22 years at Merrill Lynch,
Chair, Mr. Edwards oversaw the
listening and evolving with the
who I feel super appreciative of. At
honor Pingry presents to
the top wealth management firm in
modernization of the campuses,
surrounding environment. He
the end of the day, it’s wonderful to
graduates, in recognition of his
the US, serving executive positions
the search for a Head of School,
credited his success to a simple
have great professional success, but
decorated career in finance and
including Vice Chairman and
and the response to the COVID-19
philosophy: “Great people around
having a family that you’re proud
integral hand in shaping Pingry.
Chief Financial Officer. Currently,
pandemic among many challenges
you is always the best secret to your
of — and I’m super proud of every
Originally intent on studying
he is Partner and Vice Chairman
the school has faced. Mr. Edwards
success. Most people — certainly
single one of them — is really my
astrophysics after graduating
of investment advisor New
was never a top-down style leader.
me — only accomplish things by
greatest achievement.” He explains
Pingry, Mr. Edwards earned a
Vernon Capital after serving as
He lived by the philosophy of
surrounding yourself with people
that Pingry’s most important gift to
B.S. in Physics, with honors,
Chief Operating Officer for 15
“bringing people along and trying
… and letting them thrive.” In
him was “lifelong friends.” His bond
from Haverford College, but he
years. Throughout his career,
to convince them.” He has also
the face of immense pressure
with his best friend Ken began here,
reconsidered his future during
Mr. Edwards has also served
chaired The Pingry Fund, spoken
during the 2007 financial crisis,
and it transcended college, business
his senior year after “interviewing
on many corporate Boards of
at Career Day, hosted Reunion
Mr. Edwards recalled how his
school, and now, they are even
in New York about the future of
Directors and non-profit Boards,
Class Parties, and moderated
commitment to integrity and calm
godfathers to each other’s children.
banking” and decided to pursue
including those of NASDAQ
networking events for alumni.
leadership helped guide his team
In every scenario, from making
a career in finance instead. When
Stockmarket, American Water,
Throughout his career, Mr.
through uncertainty. “Just do the
executive decisions to returning
asked about this experience, Mr.
Raymond James, and Cancer
Edwards not only gained extensive
right thing,” he told them, even
extra change at Chipotle, Mr.
Edwards reflected, “academically
Institute of New Jersey Foundation.
experience but also invaluable
when it wasn’t the easiest path.
Edwards has exemplified Pingry’s
and in life, you never know which
Mr. Edwards’ contributions
insight into leadership and
For Mr. Edwards, Pingry is a
tenets of honor and integrity.
way things are going to go, [and]
to Pingry are nothing short of
decision-making. When asked
family legacy. His three children,
He has undoubtedly brought
Pingry helped prepare me super
legendary. He has been an integral
about the greatest lessons he’s
Cameron ‘12, Ian ‘14, and Colin
honor to The Pingry School.
Photo Credits: Pingry Communications