Danny Simmons
I am an associate on the portfolio operations team at L Catterton, a global consumer-focused private equity firm. In my role at L Catterton I work to enhance investment returns by driving operational improvement in our portfolio companies. I was previously a consultant at Kearney in their Strategic Operations practice. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2018 where I studied finance and management. I chose an initial career in consulting because I was excited by the idea of working on a wide variety of business problems across different industries. Consulting provides an awesome foundation of skills to launch into almost any business career, so it's a great option if you don't know exactly what type of job you want to pursue. I know the idea of "consulting" can be super vague and opaque, so I'm happy to chat about what a career as a consultant looks like, guide you through the various types of consulting, interview prep, or really anything that might be helpful. Don't be afraid to reach out!
Chris Silver
My name is Chris Silver, and I am currently a private equity associate at Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) in West Palm Beach, FL. Prior to NEP, I spent two years in Piper Sandler’s consumer investment banking group in Charlotte, where I primarily focused on sell-side M&A transactions across food & beverage, restaurants, and multi-unit health & wellness. I grew up in Raleigh, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2022 with a major in finance and minor in accounting. As someone with zero family connections to finance and a limited alumni network to leverage, I am more than happy to be a resource for anyone interested in investment banking or private equity roles by discussing how to position yourself effectively, interview preparation, working in the south/southeast, navigating various exit opportunities, and finance/investing more broadly.
Peter Shi
I am Peter, and I am an analyst at Deutsche Bank, working on companies in the Healthcare sector. Previously, I was at NYU Stern pursuing a B.S. in Finance and Econometrics. While in college, I tried many different career options, interning at a venture capital fund, at a startup in the Silicon Valley, and in sustainability consulting. Eventually, I landed my interest in investment banking, and being able to work with and understand these companies powering Corporate America has truly kept me going. My investment banking experience prior to Deutsche Bank was at Credit Suisse as a 2023 summer intern - a complex situation, but also a great story to tell! I am more than happy to share about my journey so far to investment banking, or to discuss anything that may be helpful.
Pranjal Sheth
My name is Pranjal Sheth, and I am currently an incoming analyst with Moelis & Co, in their Houston Global Energy Investment Banking Group. Before joining Moelis, I interned with Mizuho Securities in their Power, Utilities & Infrastructure Group in NYC and with Hastings Equity Partners, a Boston- based private equity firm working out of their flagship fund on LBOs of middle-market companies in the business services, infrastructure, or renewables space. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston in Fall 2024 with a BBA in finance. I came from a background in medicine but moved over to finance when I realized it was something I had a true passion for, and the difference was easily clear after switching my major and trying different opportunities in the space. I went through non-target recruiting and so understand the struggles there. I am happy to have a conversation on how to approach recruiting from a non-target perspective, as well as understanding the broader high-finance landscape and how to break in when you come from a different background.
Rohan Sharan
Hi, I’m Rohan Sharan. I recently graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois where I double majored in finance and accounting. This July I’ll be heading to Centerview Partners in New York. At Illinois I explored a range of career paths (consulting, IM and IB) through campus organizations and case competitions. I ultimately prioritized my efforts towards banking after being admitted to the Illinois Investment Banking Academy. I have had several leadership and mentorship roles throughout my upperclassmen years that were extremely rewarding and fulfilling. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who supported my personal and professional growth and I would love the opportunity to pay that forward. Outside of work I enjoy playing tennis, trying new restaurants and watching Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Harsh Shah
My name is Harsh Shah, I am an investment banking analyst at Barclays in the Toronto office. I studied Medical Science during my first two years and Business Administration for my last two at Western University and the Ivey Business School. I found a passion for business through my first part-time job selling Canadian Tire credit cards at their gas stations. Prior to IB, I interned at a tech VC fund. I’m convinced you can achieve anything as long as you believe you are capable of it. Feel free to reach out to me for recruiting advice (I’ll be particularly helpful to those recruiting from a science background) or even if you just want to chat about life!
Milan Shah
Hi all! I am currently an investment banking analyst at Barclays based out of New York City. I graduated from Vanderbilt University where I studied economics and helped lead the undergraduate finance and investment clubs. Prior to my current role, I gained internship experience in asset management, real estate private equity, public finance, and debt capital markets at a variety of different firms. I am happy to speak with you about my different experiences, offer any advice I can, or just be a sounding board for your career decisions / anything at all! Diversity in the workplace can present itself in many different ways and regardless of your background, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or socioeconomic status I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue the careers of their choice. Please do not hesitate to reach out, even if it's just for Nashville bar and food recommendations.
Kush Shah
My name is Kush Shah and I am currently an investment banking analyst at BMO Capital Markets’ Middle Market M&A team which focuses on industry-agnostic sell-side and buy-side for middle market clients. I studied Finance with a minor in Real Estate at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. I pursued a career in investment banking because it is the greatest platform for a young finance graduate to understand the nuances of a business while combining the aspects of being on the fore front talking to clients and processing analytical information. Prior to my current experience, I worked with the public finance team at Piper Sandler. For those who are thinking about a career in general with finance, I would be more than happy to walk through my multiple internship and full time experiences, along with how to prepare for interviews.
Hanna Sha
My name is Hanna, and I am originally from Birmingham, Alabama. I am currently an undergraduate studying finance and history at Boston University. Previously, I interned as a sophomore in Corporate & Investment Banking at Wells Fargo and as a junior in Generalist M&A Investment Banking at Guggenheim Partners. I have also spent time in venture capital and with startups at Halogen Ventures and Leland. I am passionate about supporting women and individuals from non-traditional backgrounds break into finance. I'm happy to connect - please feel free to reach out via email to discuss topics related to recruitment and investment banking.
Aris Sevastianos
Hi, my name is Aris Sevastianos. I was born and raised in a Greek-American household in metro St. Louis, and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Minor in French. Before my current work in venture capital, I spent time in strategy consulting (Strategy& - Retail & Consumer Private Equity Value Creation) and investment banking (Truist Securities - Power & Renewables coverage). In college, I co-ran and sold a Forbes-featured EdTech startup as CFO and did internships at a hedge fund and public accounting firm. Having formally navigated the VC, strategy consulting, IB, and public accounting recruitment processes, I can provide candid insight on each process, as well as my transition between the respective fields. Finally, I can help you build a valuable network from the ground up (something I had to do quickly). I’d love to pay it forward as a friend and mentor while combating such a pressing issue in our society.
William Schoenecker
My name is William Schoenecker and I am excited to talk to you and offer whatever guidance you may seek. My professional areas of passion are entrepreneurship, real estate, fintech, wealth management, cryptocurrency, and private equity. I’d love to help you decide which aspect of finance is right for you. I would be happy to give an in-depth guide on any of these topics and answer your questions about finance in general. Let me know how I can help you and I’ll give it my best!
Chad Schmerling
Chad Schmerling is a first-year PhD student at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in the Econometrics and Statistics dissertation area. Chad's research focuses on applying mathematics and computer algorithms to understand how assets, such as stocks, are priced. Chad grew up in Los Angeles, California, where at twelve years old he experienced his 15-minutes-of-fame when he starred on an episode of a gameshow called "Hole in the Wall" on Cartoon Network. After college, Chad worked at Flow Traders in New York City for two years, where he traded high-yield bonds and built statistical models to predict asset prices. Chad enjoys Backgammon, Chess, Poker, his hometown Dodgers and Lakers, and his heavily used ad-free Youtube Premium account.
Olivia Schilsky
My name is Olivia Schilsky and I am currently a second year Private Equity Analyst at PA Capital in Richmond, VA. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2019, with a BA in Business Administration and Leadership Studies and a concentration in Finance. As the daughter of a small business owner and entrepreneur I had always been drawn to the business world, but until attending college I knew nothing about finance. I chose to pursue a career in finance because I wanted to be challenged and surrounded by like-minded, intellectually curious, and determined people. I understand how intimidating the intricacies of the finance world can be, and I'm here to help! I can help you decide if finance is for you or guide you towards which career path may be the best fit. Happy to connect about school (lessons learned and most valuable classes taken), internships, recruiting, interviews (how to tell your story), private equity career paths (traditional and non-traditional), networking, and different ways to get your foot in the door. Can’t wait to chat!
Jay Santoro
I am currently a private equity Vice President at Tarsadia Investments and, prior to that, I was an investment banking analyst at Jefferies. I graduated from Villanova University in 2018 with a BS in mathematics. I pursued a career in finance because I always wanted to surround myself with hard working and smart people, and I felt that it was the industry I encountered during my time at school that had the hardest working and smartest people (by the way: I can now say from personal experience, for all of the job's challenges, there certainly are a lot of driven and intelligent people in finance). I am happy to help anyone who wants to break into the industry, and I can be of particular help if anyone is interested in restructuring / distressed finance.
Brittany Salese
I am a Governance & Strategic Transformation Associate at Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking (SGCIB) in NYC focusing on Compliance Governance, Issues Management, and Reporting. I graduated from the University of Richmond with a BSBA double majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, Leadership Studies, and a minor in Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies. I started my career as a Financial Services Consultant at KPMG prior to transitioning to the Compliance Risk Assessment team at SGCIB before moving into my current role. I can speak to breaking into the Finance Industry with a wide range of interests, coming from a non-target school, the benefits of starting out as a consultant, and the differences between consulting and Industry.
Spencer Rugen
My name is Ryan Shumway, I am currently an investment associate at Crescent Capital Group, a private credit investment firm based in Los Angeles. Prior to Crescent, I was an investment banking analyst at Jefferies in the Global Industrials Group in New York City, and I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2018 with a degree in Finance. I was born, raised, and went to college in Tucson, Arizona, where almost nobody I knew was in this industry or even knew much about it. My networking story in college was one of many cold calls, cold emails, and generally “pounding the pavement” to better understand the industry as well as get connected with people who could help me reach my goal of working in it. As such, I've always been excited to help students from my alma mater and elsewhere to understand the industry and get their foot in the door. I'm happy to help at any stage in your finance journey, from "what even is finance?" to deep dives in technical and qualitative interview skills. Feel free to reach out with a quick introduction, and let's chat!
Morgan Rosia
My name is Morgan Rosia and I am currently an analyst at Wells Fargo in NYC working in Leveraged Finance Syndication. I started my career in the Private Wealth Group at Morgan Stanley, which exposed me to the various opportunities that existed in the world of finance. After establishing the desire to take my career in a different direction (and relocate from Houston to NY), I spent countless hours studying different industries, strengthening my technical skillset, and networking with professionals in the industry. I attended Texas A&M University and graduated as a student athlete in 2023 with a BBA in Management Consulting. If you are considering a career in banking, new to the industry, or seeking a career change, please do not hesitate to reach out!
Rick Roebuck
Hello, my name is Rick Roebuck. I am currently an investment banking analyst at Shot Tower Capital in Baltimore, Maryland. Shot Tower is a boutique investment bank covering the media and entertainment industries, with a specific focus on music. I graduated from the University of Richmond in May of 2020, where I studied business administration with concentrations in accounting and finance. I decided to pursue a career in finance because I wanted a challenging role that would expose me to a wide variety of industries and business models. I would be happy to provide advice on anything related to the investment banking industry, and can specifically help with the interview process and understanding what entry level roles will entail.
Brandon Roberts
I am currently an analyst in the legacy Credit Suisse LevFin / Sponsors / M&A group at Santander LA. While earning a double major in Finance and Philosophy, I collected a diverse set of experiences working as an EMT, in agriculture, non-profits, private equity, and investment banking – developing an interest in impact private equity along the way. Coming from a non-target, I secured a middle market healthcare coverage investment banking analyst role, and have since lateraled to a top LevFin / Sponsors group. I am happy to discuss my experiences navigating the lateral process with top tier groups, along with the extensive networking and technical prep that is necessary especially coming from a non-target.
Ryan Ringelstein
Hi, my name is Ryan Ringelstein and I am currently an office tenant representation broker at Raise Commercial Real Estate in San Francisco. Raise is a technology-enabled commercial real estate brokerage offering tenant representation, project and construction management, workplace strategy, and ongoing lease administration for clients around the globe. Originally from the Bay Area, I went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and St. Mary’s College for undergrad where I received a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Finance at Georgetown University. I’ve been fortunate to have many people help get me to where I am today. If you’re interested in a career in real estate, need help preparing for interviews, or just want to chat, I’d love to help out anyway I can.