Hello! My name is Brynn Jackel, I’m an associate at Gridiron Capital in New Canaan, CT. Prior to joining Gridiron, I was an analyst at Wells Fargo in the Industrials investment banking coverage group in NYC. I grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts and went to Wake Forest University for undergrad where I majored in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship. I was drawn to investment banking for the opportunity to gain a skill set in financial analysis in a teamwork-based environment, and later transitioned to private equity seeking longer-term relationships with companies and more hands-on operational experience. I never had a grand 10-year plan and have figured it out as I went along, but I was lucky enough to have some awesome mentors from college and Wells who helped me better understand the paths and process, and most importantly prepare for interviews. I’d love to be able to do the same for others pursuing a career in finance, so please reach out to me and I’m happy to be a resource however I can!

Hello, my name is Georgia Holmes and I am currently an investment banking analyst at Cantor Fitzgerald in our technology group. Before Cantor, I did my first year as an analyst in the Global Technology Group at Stifel in New York, NY. I graduated from Cal Poly in June 2022 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. While I was initially interested in the design and development of physical products and software, later in my college career, I found myself wanting to figure out how companies ran more broadly. I wanted to understand what led to a company becoming successful and ended up in Investment Banking because of the challenges and opportunities for continuous development. As a woman from a non-business background, I’d be happy to speak to what drew me to finance and the challenges that surfaced when making the transition. Would also be happy to chat about what it is like to switch companies within IB.

Hello, my name is Bjorn Hessen-Schmidt. I am originally from Palo Alto, California and I attended Cornell University where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in both Mathematics and Economics. I am currently an Associate at Siris Capital Group and was previously a Senior Investment Banking Analyst within Citi’s Global Industrials Group. In addition to Investment Banking at Citi, my internship experience also includes bioinformatics research at Stanford University and data science at Two Six Capital.

My name is Ganggas Harjianto and I am a private equity investor at NewSpring Capital in the Philadelphia area. Prior to this role, I was a part of the lower middle market strategy at Main Street Capital Corporation in Houston and the leveraged finance group at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (now Truist). I grew up in northern Delaware in a middle-class, immigrant household and attended the University of Delaware for undergrad, where I graduated with a degree in finance in 2017. Coming from a “non-core” / state school background, recruiting for my first role was a monumental challenge that taught me the power of forming and developing strong networks, and I can wholeheartedly say that I would not be where I am today without the help offered by those along the way. Finance is such an interesting field that allows you to test the limits of your knowledge, drive decision-making, and meet and interact with successful executives and peers from all walks of life, and as such, I am always eager to pay it forward and help out where I can. Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to learn more about (i) recruiting from a “non-core” background or (ii) the nuances of lower middle market private equity!

Hi, my name is Sean Hamada. I am currently a first-year analyst in Carlyle’s New York office, where I focus on investment opportunities in liquid credit securities. Previously, I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2021 with a BA in Economics. Since my university lacked an undergraduate business program, my interest in finance was largely informed by older friends and a number of internships across private equity and investment banking. As someone who transferred from a junior college and recruited out of a regional-target, I have developed a strong appreciation for mentors and am always happy to be a resource for all.

I am an Associate within H.I.G. Capital’s Infrastructure Private Equity fund in New York City. Prior to my current role, I was an Investment Banking Analyst within Jefferies’ Consumer & Retail Group in Charlotte, NC. I received my B.S., Summa Cum Laude, in Finance from Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. I initially became interested in pursuing a career in finance after speaking with numerous mentors, which included family members, professors, upperclassmen, and folks at various firms that I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to network with across many years leading up to my graduation from Wake Forest. These individuals held roles across the financial industry ranging from Investment Banking to Wealth Management to Private Equity, along with many others, all of which provided me with valuable insight into my decision-making process. I developed a passion for this industry due to the fact that it provided me with an opportunity to be people / client-facing, work within a fast-paced environment where you are encouraged to challenge yourself by making personal judgment calls, gain a vital skillset for long-term career optionality whether that be in finance or another industry, and to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Growing up, I spent a lot of time working with fundraisers and contributing to various charitable initiatives. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend countless years getting to know individuals from diverse backgrounds and these experiences have instilled the passion in me to help provide the appropriate resources and guidance for others to accomplish their goals. Just as I was fortunate enough to have mentors guide me down the path that led me to where I am, I strive to be that motivator/adviser in the lives of many others. Having started my career in Charlotte, NC in Consumer & Retail IB and switching to NYC to work within the Infrastructure sector in PE, I can provide valuable insight for those deciding between different cities or sectors as well as those considering a geographical or sector-focus transition.

Hi, my name is Giorgio Gayleard! I am currently an investment banking associate with KPMG Corporate Finance, advising on sell-side M&A transactions of middle market companies primarily in the Industrials and GovCon spaces. I previously worked at Tower Partners, an industry-agnostic lower middle market investment bank that advises on both sell-side and buy-side engagements. Prior to Tower, I interned with SC&H Capital on their sell-side M&A team. I attended Loyola University Maryland and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2023 with a B.B.A. in Finance and Economics. I was also a member of the Varsity men's soccer team! After graduating from Loyola, I continued my education at Dickinson College while participating on the soccer team there too. After school, I began working at Tower Partners and joined the KPMG team about a year later. I pursued a career in finance, but more specifically investment banking, because I wanted to work in a stimulating high-growth environment where I could learn a lot at a fast pace. I find fulfillment in challenges and the financial services industry is the perfect place to be for such. I am more than happy to discuss the industry, my career thus far, and provide advice for those who want to learn or, simply, chat! Being a first-generation Hispanic college graduate, I am extremely willing to help those with untraditional backgrounds for investment banking in search of guidance.

My name is Dev Gandhi and I am currently an investment banking analyst in the consumer & retail group at Santander in New York. I graduated from Fordham University in May 2023 and majored in finance with a minor in economics. My interest in finance was sparked after joining multiple finance clubs on campus and speaking with professionals in the field. I was lucky enough to have multiple finance internships during my years in college, some of which I attained through cold emailing. These experiences led me to pursue investment banking late in my sophomore year. Without the guidance of my mentors, I would not have been able to navigate the recruiting process and I would love to do the same for others. Please feel free to reach out as I am more than happy to discuss the recruitment process and help on the journey at any stage.

Hi, I am a Consultant in Deloitte's Strategy practice based in Charlotte, aligned primarily to the Financial Services industry. I graduated from Davidson College in 2018 with a degree in Economics. Consulting attracted me because of the focus on problem-solving, mix of quantitative and qualitative analysis, exposure to senior leadership in various industries, and breadth of experiences available to practitioners throughout their careers. If you're interested in the consulting industry, the recruiting process, case interviews, specifically about Deloitte, or anything in between, I am more than happy to connect and have significant experience helping students who have been in your shoes.

My name is Sophie Fries, and I am a current Summer Analyst in the Financial Services Investment Banking Group at Piper Sandler. I am a rising senior at Washington University in St. Louis, where I study Finance and Political Science with a minor in American Culture Studies. Prior to my summer at Piper Sandler, I was a Credit Risk Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City, UT. I am pursuing a career in Investment Banking because I believe it provides a strong foundational knowledge of finance and expands the breadth of my technical skillset. As a woman and a candidate from a non-target school, I understand the challenges that arise with investment banking recruiting and would love the opportunity to help you navigate your path!

My name is Ryan Fox, and I am currently an associate with Hark Capital in New York where I underwrite and execute loans to private equity funds and their portfolio companies. Prior to joining Hark I worked for Hamilton Lane in Philadelphia where I worked on investments in private equity funds and sponsor-backed companies. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2018 with a BA in business with concentrations in finance and management. I am fortunate to have gained experience in private markets investments straight out of college and would be happy to talk about different areas of the private equity and private debt ecosystem.

My name is Connor Flanagan and I am currently a Program Manager at HQ, a Digital Currency Group subsidiary. I was previously an Associate on the Aladdin Implementations team at BlackRock in New York City, where I worked for ~4.5 years and interned as a Summer Analyst on the Aladdin Client Services (ACS) team. I graduated from the University of Richmond in May of 2018 and started back on ACS the following July. At BlackRock, I specialized in supporting our Trading and Execution Management tools across all of our institutional clients. Across both my roles, I gained expertise in financial technology consulting, client engagement and product management. I believe that a career in FinTech is extremely valuable, as it provides non-stop learning opportunities in a fast-paced, creative and challenging environment. If you have any interest in learning more about my career path, or would like to enter into a career in either FinTech or Consulting, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I am an investment banking analyst based in New York working at Deutsche Bank as part of the Strategic Equity Transactions Group within capital markets. I graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2021 with a double mayor in finance and marketing in addition to a minor in entrepreneurship. I pursued a career in finance because I wanted to work in a challenging environment where I would be able to develop professionally while seeing the real-world impact of my work. As a Dominican citizen with limited work authorization, I had a unique recruiting experience pursuing opportunities in the United States. Through this, I learned a lot about the challenges that come with investment banking recruiting. I would be happy to share everything I learned throughout my recruiting process and help in any way I can. Feel free to reach out if you are interested in having a chat!

My name is Will Fergesen and I’m an Investment Banking Analyst in Piper Sandler’s consumer coverage group in Minneapolis, MN. I graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BBA in Finance a year early in May 2023 and completed my Summer Analyst program that summer following. More than happy to answer any and all questions regarding IB and the recruiting process. I hope I can provide specific insight on navigating non-traditional graduation timelines and recruiting at a non-target school.

I am currently in the BizOps and Strategy team at Handshake, a late-stage tech unicorn. Before moving into tech, I spent the first five years in TMT investment banking at Moelis, Jefferies, and Nomura, and in corporate development. I started my career in finance because I wanted to build a solid foundation in financial analysis, and develop a skill set in providing data-driven insights that will impact a whole organization. I made my switch into tech to get more hands-on operational experience and implement the strategies and recommendations I've formulated. Outside of work, I am an avid poker player, traveler, and self-described foodie. Happy to chat about anything investment banking related (internships, full-time, lateraling, etc.) or transitioning from finance to big tech.

Hi! My name is Alec Feng and I am an investment banking analyst at William Blair in the Technology group in Chicago. I am originally from Manhattan Beach, California, and I graduated from Michigan State in 2022 with a B.A in Finance. I pursued a career in investment banking due to the opportunity to learn all sides of a transaction, and continue to build a diverse skill set. Having recently gone through investment banking recruiting, I know how competitive and stressful the process is. I also experienced both in-person and virtual interviews, and can speak to my experience during the summer internship and the adjustment to coming back full time. I am happy to help in any way I can, please do not hesitate to reach out!

My name is Cassie Fell and I am currently a Senior Associate Consultant at Bain & Co. I graduated magna cum laude from UC Santa Barbara in 2022 with a degree in Economics & Accounting. Prior to Bain, I interned at Deloitte in Audit & Assurance, which was the typical professional pipeline for UCSB accounting students. While in undergrad, I was a member of 180 Degrees Consulting, a social impact consultancy. I found myself energized by my work with 180, which inspired me to apply for consulting roles for my full-time job. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bain, as I have gotten to experience virtually every industry imaginable in only 2 years. I am passionate about helping people from other non-traditional target schools break into the dynamic and exciting world of consulting (at Bain SF, the number of UCSB alums has grown from 1 to 5 during my 2 years here!). 

I am originally from Ethiopia but was raised in Portland, Oregon. I attended undergrad across the country at the University of Richmond, where I got my bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in Finance. During my four years at UR I was lucky enough to have two summer internships, both with US Bank back in Portland. After my sophomore year I interned as a Private wealth management analyst. To be honest not the most exciting work but gathered some good expertise working with trading softwares like FactSet and Bloomberg. Junior year summer I was back with US Bank in Portland but this time in their Commercial Lending division. This time I had much more hands on experience. I would spend my time analyzing local companies financial health and future productivity to help the team determine the best lending products/services the US Bank could provide. Since graduating, I have been working for Accenture as a CDTS (Corporate Development & Transactional Services) analyst. In this role I do all the modeling and deal shaping for any mutli-tower opportunity greater than $10M USD. I am happy to speak with you about work and opportunities in corporate finance along with give a perspective on recruiting not specific to investment banking (though I have experience recruiting here as well).

Hi, my name is Josh Elman and I’m currently a Vice President at Invesco in the Private Credit group on the Direct Lending team. Prior to joining Invesco in 2025, I worked at Arrowhead Investment Management investing in both debt and equity co-invest. I started my career as an investment banking analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Jefferies in New York City, primarily focused on the Automotive and Building Products sectors. Originally from Bergen County, NJ, I attended Vanderbilt University where I majored in Economics. I was interested in middle market investment banking and private credit due to the opportunity to advise and support growing American businesses as well as the ability to work with highly talented, smart, and motivated colleagues. I still remember my endless questions and second guessing while recruiting for IB and buyside roles. There were so many people who helped me along the way – I’d love to pay it forward and help you. I’m happy to answer ALL questions as well as provide interview advice. I can also provide insights on working at a firm with <10 people. If you'd like to chat about my experiences or ask me questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

My name is Andrew Eginton, and I am currently a Senior Associate at KPMG within its Deal Advisory practice. I graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2022 with a B.B.A. in Accountancy. During my undergraduate years, I interned at AMETEK, a global electronic instrument and electromechanical device company, where I gained experience in Audit, Investor Relations, and Corporate Development over three summers. With my accounting background, I became a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), though I always had a strong interest in pursing a career in finance. Upon graduation, I began my career in the Financial Due Diligence group at KPMG’s Boston office, and later transferred to New York City while continuing in the same division. My goal in pursuing a finance career has been to acquire the entrepreneurial skills needed to run a business. Combining a technical background to understand financial drivers with hands-on experience working with business founders and investors, I aim to be well-prepared for any business opportunities or challenges that may come my way. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to receive guidance from several mentors and am eager to pay it forward. Feel free to reach out if you are interested in learning about alternative routes in finance outside of Investment Banking or Private Equity. I am also open to discussing career paths related to accounting and sharing my personal experiences.