Quesnel Alvarado Senatus ’10 is the founder and president of Quantum Advisory Group, a PEO and health benefits brokerage that helps businesses manage costs, strengthen their HR infrastructure, and position themselves for growth. Prior to founding Quantum Advisory Group, Quesnel built more than a decade of experience with leading companies including ADP, Paychex, CoAdvantage, and Insperity, advising business owners on payroll, benefits, human capital, and risk management.

A 2010 graduate of Kellenberg Memorial High School, Quesnel earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from St. Francis College and his master’s in business administration from the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business. He also served as a Kellenberg football coach from 2010–2012, giving back to the school that helped shape his journey.

How did your experience at Kellenberg Memorial help shape you personally or professionally as you entered college and began your career?

I think one of the biggest things I took away from my high school years was a combination of discipline and faith. I learned early that if you are willing to work, stay focused, and believe in yourself, you are capable of accomplishing a lot more than you may think.

That mindset followed me into college and eventually into my career. There have been plenty of times when I didn’t know exactly how something was going to work out, but having the discipline to keep going and the faith that things would work out has been a big part of my journey.

You’ve built an impressive career working with businesses in payroll, HR, benefits, and human capital. How did you get into the field, and what ultimately inspired you to start your own company?

When I went into college, I knew I wanted to do something business-related, so I studied business management with a concentration in international business.

During my senior year, I was fortunate enough to interview with ADP and ultimately get an opportunity there. I don’t think I realized it at the time, but that launched my career in payroll, HR, benefits, and human capital. Over the years, I had the opportunity to work with companies like Paychex, CoAdvantage, and Insperity, gaining experience from many different perspectives.

Eventually, I reached a point where I knew I had the knowledge and confidence to build something of my own. But more than anything, I was inspired by my why.

My family immigrated to America from the Dominican Republic and Haiti. They built a life here and sacrificed an easier life for themselves so they could give me and my two siblings the best opportunities possible, including a Kellenberg education.

I wanted to take what I had learned and build something I could be proud of while creating opportunities for my own family. So eventually, I stopped thinking about doing it and did it. That was the beginning of Quantum Advisory Group.

What has been the biggest challenge and most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur, and what advice do you find yourself giving business owners most often?

The biggest challenge is starting from square one while still having the same responsibilities at home. Your mortgage and bills don’t stop, you still have a family to provide for, and you are trying to build a business from the ground up. For me, it was about learning how to grow while accepting that mistakes are part of the process.

The most rewarding part has been taking everything I learned throughout my career and building Quantum the way I believe it should be built. Seeing that vision come together and work successfully has been incredibly rewarding.

One piece of advice I give business owners all the time is that it’s okay not to have all the answers. You don’t have to do everything yourself. Surround yourself with good people, outsource where it makes sense, and give yourself the time and space to focus on what you do best.

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger Kellenberg self, and what does being a Kellenberg alumnus mean to you today?

I would tell my younger self to find value in every situation. I’ve had some amazing things happen throughout my life and career, but I’ve also had plenty that didn’t go according to plan. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized there is growth in almost every situation, especially the difficult ones. Enjoy the wins, but slow down enough to learn from the losses.

Being a Kellenberg alumnus means even more to me now that I have children of my own. I have come to appreciate the people, structure, faith, and lessons that surrounded me in ways I probably didn’t fully understand as a student.

My faith in God has been a major part of my life, and Kellenberg helped strengthen that foundation at a young age. I also understand “One Heart, One Mind” much more today. The ideas of working together, caring for others, and being part of something bigger than yourself have stayed with me throughout my career, as a business owner, and now as a father.

Looking back on your time at Kellenberg, what are some of your favorite memories or experiences that still stand out to you today?

One thing I definitely appreciate more now is just how unique Kellenberg was. I mean, what other school has animals on campus? Walking through the courtyard to get from class to class and just the overall environment are things I probably took for granted at the time.

What stands out the most, though, are the teachers and coaches who genuinely cared about me. There were people there who kept me on the right track, pushed me when I needed it, and wanted to see me succeed. Looking back now, I have a much greater appreciation for that.