Hi, I’m Michael Ukrainskyj. I studied finance and economics at the University of Richmond and am currently a sell-side M&A analyst at Harris Williams, a middle-market investment bank in Richmond, Virginia. I came into college unsure of what I wanted to study. Through my courses and speaking with school alumni, I chose finance and eventually investment banking because of responsibility and work-ethic instilled directly out of college. Recently going through the interview process myself, I understand the importance of having a college-aged mentor to help along the way. Breaking into the world of finance can be daunting, but I can provide guidance every step of the way. Through my experiences in equity research, private equity, and investment banking, I’m happy to chat about different career paths / networking / and interview prep. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of mentors along the way and would love to help anyone else get into the world of finance.

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.

I am a Private Equity Investment Manager at H.I.G. Capital (London) and was previously a Private Equity Associate at H.I.G. (NYC). Before H.I.G., I was a Private Equity Associate at Main Street Capital (Houston) and prior to that, I was an Investment Banking Associate (and Analyst) at BMO Capital Markets (NYC).

I grew up in Queens, NY in an immigrant household and had little exposure to people with white-collar jobs / professional careers. I studied finance at Villanova University which is where upperclassmen mentors introduced me to the world of finance. I was immediately hooked because the finance industry values hard work, dedication, and creativity and the roles available in the industry make it a priority to reward this effort with compensation and extremely versatile/transferrable professional experiences.

My goal is to increase transparency and awareness about careers in finance like my mentors did for me, and I believe I can help you by: (i) teaching you the framework of how the finance industry and recruiting works, (ii) assisting you in developing your personal narrative so that you can communicate your story in a more impactful manner, and (iii) showing you some non-traditional approaches as you look to successfully navigate an intricate, opaque, and competitive field.

I am very approachable and friendly (or I try to be at least) and enjoy talking about finance, personal/professional development, and various other topics, so please reach out to me!

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.

I’m currently an investment banking associate at Goldman Sachs and was previously an associate at G Square Capital in London. Beforehand, I was an investment banking analyst in the healthcare group at Jefferies in New York and London. I graduated from Vanderbilt with a BS in Human and Organizational Development (HOD) and a minor in financial economics. I’m originally from Kildeer, Illinois, a town not far from Chicago. I’m happy to help anyone and everyone, but if you are a non-finance major, female, college athlete, someone that wants international experience, or are interested in healthcare finance, I can answer your questions and help you prepare for the interview process with these topics in mind.

My name is Jeff Blethen, and I am currently an associate with Atlas Holdings, and was previously an associate with PSP Partners in Chicago focusing on buyout and growth equity transactions. Prior to joining PSP, I was an investment banking analyst in the Global Industrials group at Jefferies in NYC. I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2017 with a BA in international business and finance. I went through non-target recruiting coming out of South Carolina, so I understand the difficulties that come from attending a non-core school. I am more than happy to walk you through my networking strategies, help you craft your story, and teach the dark arts of cold calling and emailing.

I am research analyst at Point72 and was previously an investment banking analyst in the healthcare group at Jefferies. I studied finance, economics, math, and physics at the University of Richmond. I pursued a career in investment banking because I have always been fascinated by the physics of financial markets, and decided investment banking was the best way to gain valuable exposure to a wide variety of different aspects of these markets. If you want to learn more about the hedge fund space, please feel free to contact me!

Hello, my name is Hank Barrett and I’m an associate at Gridiron Capital in New Canaan, CT. Prior to Gridiron, I was an analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Jefferies in NYC. I grew up in Williamstown, MA and graduated from Wesleyan University in 2017 with a BA in Economics and Government. I was always interested in finance (and business more broadly), but knew very little about the industry or the various potential paths. I chose to pursue investment banking because I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after school and was hoping to open as many doors as possible while I figured it out. In the few years since I graduated, I’ve been lucky enough to work and interact with many great people across a range of different industries, roles, and backgrounds. I remember well how overwhelming it can be trying to figure out where to start — none of us would be where we are without the help of people who had gone through it themselves and were willing to share some advice. You could have no idea what you want to do, already be dead set on a specific role, or, most likely, be somewhere in-between — no matter where you are, I’d love to help.

I am a private equity associate at Great Hill Partners and was previously an investment banking analyst in the consumer & retail group at Citi. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2019 with a BA in Business Administration with concentrations in finance and economics. My decision to pursue a career in finance, and more specifically investment banking, was largely informed by my desire to develop a broad-based foundation that would position me to pursue my *previously undiscovered* passions down the line. I can help you learn about investment banking and whether it is the right fit for you.

My name is Eddie Auslander. I’m currently a private equity associate with H.I.G. Capital (Advantage Fund) in New York. Prior to H.I.G., I was an investment banking analyst in the global industrials group at Jefferies in NYC. I graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2017 with a BS in business administration with a concentration in finance and a minor in social & political history. If you would’ve asked me why I got into finance while I was early on in college, I would’ve told you I it was because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. After my first finance internship in a corporate M&A setting, I became enthralled by learning how and why decisions were made by management teams, and I kept finding myself wanting to learn more, which led to me pursuing a role in investment banking. I’m more than happy to hop on the phone to discuss future career aspirations, help with interviewing, or provide any other tips / tricks to help start your career path in the right direction. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Hello! My name is Mitch Beller and I am currently a private equity associate at JLL Partners based in New York City. Prior to my time at JLL, I was an investment banking analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Jefferies in NYC. I grew up just outside of Kansas City before attending and eventually graduating from the University of Kansas in 2017 with BSc degrees in both finance and accounting. I got into finance for the challenge, caliber of people, and optionality (if you start your career in investment banking, you can do almost anything you want in business afterwards; the skill-sets are that valued). I have been fortunate to have had people from various backgrounds extend their hand and time to me in helping me piece together my short career thus far. I know the process can be daunting and continuously exhausting. Each of you has what it takes to pursue whatever it is that intrigues you. Myself and the rest of the PFF team are here to help you craft the streamlined story of how each of your experiences are connected, and rightfully convey you are the person the company is looking for, whether that is in finance or another field of your passion. We are here to help in any way we can, and I look forward to being a part of your process.

I’m currently working at Zipline an autonomous drone delivery startup focused on the business unit economics and global operations. Previously, I was an Associate in Growth Equity focused on B2B SAAS and Tech-enabled business services. I started my career as an Investment Banking analyst in the Real Estate, Gaming and Lodging group at Goldman Sachs in NYC. I graduated from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia where I studied Finance, Global Management, and Art History. I’m happy to talk to anyone about career paths in finance or all the other things I’ve considered along the way.

I am currently a private equity associate at Littlejohn & Co in Greenwich, CT. Prior to my current role, I was an investment banking analyst in the Energy, Power & Infrastructure Group at Harris Williams. I am originally from the Minneapolis, MN area and graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in Economics while playing on the NCAA Division 1 lacrosse team. After graduating from Colgate, I received my Master's in Finance from the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management. I pursued a career in finance because I enjoyed the fast-paced and team-oriented environment that was similar to my experience as a student-athlete. I'm happy to be a resource and answer questions on recruiting, the interview process, networking, or anything else you might find helpful. In particular, I can provide insight on grad school, moving to new locations, and leveraging a background in athletics.

Hi, my name is Stephanie Michas, and I currently work as a Credit and Asset Management Financial Analyst at Trimont Real Estate Advisers in London. Prior to joining Trimont, I was a Sales and Trading Analyst at BNP Paribas in New York. I graduated from Colgate University in 2019 with a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Studio Art. I chose to work in Finance after school because growing up I was always interested in the markets. I would hear the hype around upcoming IPOs or share buybacks, and found it fascinating. After relocating to the UK I pivoted within the industry, now working within Commercial Real Estate Credit and Asset Management, after looking for work with more tangibility, which I’ve found in Commercial Real Estate. As a woman coming from a small Liberal Arts school, I can help you navigate the application and interview process. I can also help you to think about where in finance you can see yourself succeeding - as someone who has moved within the industry, I can help you think about where your skillset lies, and how to best utilize it. I have been lucky to have fantastic mentors thus far in my career, and hope that I can provide that same level of mentorship on to others.

Hi, my name is Jack Statfeld. I am currently a 1st year Associate for ING Capital on their Infrastructure Project Finance Team in NYC. Prior to joining ING, I worked at Siemens as an Analyst in their Leveraged Finance Group in NYC and at Wells Fargo as an Analyst in their Energy & Power Group in Houston, TX focusing on Exploration & Production Companies. I graduated from Tulane University in 2019 with a BSM in Finance and an Energy Specialization. I have always been passionate about the broader energy/infrastructure sector but wondered how these capital-intensive projects are financed. Tulane presented me the opportunity not only to learn about the capital raising aspect of a business but to focus on the energy/infrastructure industry as well. I understand how daunting and competitive breaking into finance can be and am here to help you. Whether it be networking tips to technical questions, the PFF Team will make sure you are prepared and well situated in pursuing a career in finance.

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!

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.

Hi! My name is Shubhang Mehta and I am currently a real estate private equity analyst at Northwood Investors based in New York City. Prior to my time at Northwood, I was an investment banking analyst in the Real Estate, Gaming & Lodging group at Jefferies in NYC. I grew up in Melbourne, Australia before graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. I pursued finance because I wanted to work in a challenging, collegial environment that always presented the opportunity to learn. I am more than happy to help anyone that wants to break into the IB or PE industry, and I can be of particular help if anyone is interested in real estate.

I am currently a private equity associate at The Riverside Company based in San Francisco, CA. Prior to joining Riverside, I was a private equity associate at Comvest Partners in West Palm Beach, FL and I began my career in investment banking at Piper Sandler in Minneapolis, MN. I graduated from St. Olaf College, a liberal arts school in Northfield, MN, with a B.A. in math and economics with a finance emphasis. Initially, I decided to pursue finance because I saw it as a combination of my two majors, math and economics, and looked at finance as a way for me to apply what I was learning in the "real world" (rarely talked about at a liberal arts school!). I then decided to pursue investment banking (i) because of pure luck that I was introduced to it my sophomore year by a few seniors during investment club and (ii) because I wanted to start my career somewhere where I would be constantly challenged and learning. Feel free to reach out if you are looking to get into middle market investment banking or private equity. Additionally, I am happy to speak to anyone who is interested in lateraling between private equity firms as I went through this process in the transition from Comvest to Riverside.

Hello! My name is Rachael Overland. I am currently an investment banking analyst in the Industrials Group at Stifel in NYC. I graduated from the University of Richmond in December 2018 as part of the Class of 2019 with a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Management. My journey to finance took a roundabout route, from international relations and Arabic to sports development, corporate finance, sales & trading and finally investment banking. I ultimately pursued banking because I wanted a challenge. Very few other industries provide the same level of experience, responsibility and exposure as banking provides within the first couple of years. As a woman coming from a non-target school without a specific picture of what post-grad would look like, I can provide advice on how to look at different options, help you think about what fits you personally and tailor your answer to “why banking” based on your skills and experiences. I am very lucky to have received fantastic mentorship and support so far in my career, I hope I can pass along some of what I have learned.