I am currently a private equity associate at Comvest Partners in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to joining Comvest Partners, I was an analyst at Deloitte Consulting where I focused on private equity due diligence engagements. I began my career at a consumer goods startup in China called Laiba Beverages. At Indiana University, I studied finance and Chinese. I grew up on the southside of Indianapolis.

While in college, I explored a wide range of career options including consulting, investment banking, private equity, and startups. I ultimately chose consulting for its interesting work, fun culture, and exit opportunities to private equity (as well as a myriad of other roles). I am happy to discuss the challenges of choosing a career field, recruiting for consulting, and breaking into private equity from a non-banking background. Feel free to reach out to the PFF general email or shoot me a note directly!

My name is Fernando Arrascue Quiroz, and I am currently a private equity associate at Corsair Capital based in New York. Prior to joining Corsair, I was an investment banking analyst in the Global Technology Group at Stifel. I grew up in Venezuela and Florida. I graduated from Penn State University in 2019 with a major in Industrial Engineering. I am aware of how challenging recruiting processes are and how difficult it is to standout in a sea of well-prepared applicants. Having gone through both IB and PE recruiting, I would be happy to provide candid insight on each process. You should reach out to me if you would like more information on IB/PE recruiting, being an engineering major in wall street, being an international student applicant, working in NYC, networking, etc.

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 Jack Plocica. I graduated from Wake Forest University in the summer of 2017. I’m currently an Analyst at Truist Securities in the Investment Bank. Specifically, I’m in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications vertical of the Syndicated & Leveraged Finance group. My interest in finance sparked from networking, as you are doing now. I found that I learned a great deal from speaking to young professionals. My goal in joining the Pro Forma Futures team is to pay this forward by sharing my knowledge and experiences with you all. My experience in the industry has truly been rewarding thus far and hopefully we can encourage you to be excited about your future as well.

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.

Hi! My name is Donna Wong, and I’m an associate at Zenyth Partners. Before Zenyth, I was in Jefferies’ Healthcare Investment Banking group based in NYC. I’m originally from Hong Kong and I graduated from Tulane University in December ’21 with a BS in Economics. During college, I also took on leadership roles within CHAARG (Changing Health, Attitudes and Actions to Recreate Girls) and Consult Your Community. I decided to pursue healthcare investment banking for its exposure to all kinds of public/private transactions across the healthcare universe and the various learning opportunities. As a former international student who did not formally intern in banking in the summer prior to graduation, I encountered all the usual obstacles during the recruiting process due to my visa status, on top of limited openings in the full time cycle. I can be most helpful in discussing recruitment strategies as an international student, breaking into banking from a liberal arts background, and/or full time recruiting.

Like many folks, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my career when I was a student. It wasn’t until I discovered consulting that I realized there was a home for people like me who want to explore different industries, work on challenging projects, and interface with high-level leadership at some of the world’s largest companies, non-profits and government institutions. Since graduating, I have worked at and interviewed for a number of the top global consulting firms. Currently, I am a management consultant at Kearney aligned to their health practice and my goal is to help demystify the world of consulting and the intimidating recruitment process.

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.

Hello! My name is Sabina Vohra. I am currently an investment banking analyst in the Aerospace and Defense Group at Stifel in their Bethesda, MD office. I graduated from the University of Richmond in May 2022 with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. My interest in Investment Banking began at the end of my first year at college after talking to upperclassman who were entering the industry. I was drawn to the learning curve that was offered to twenty-two year olds and it is unparalleled to many other industries. I worked in the political realm for much of my high school and early college experience to understand how challenged and fast-paced I wanted to be in the professional setting. As a woman coming from a non-target school, I understand how sometimes you must carve out the experience you need to understand what you want. I can help advise on how to look at different options, how to craft your story, and provide tips for preparing efficiently for technicals that will help set you apart. I would not have been able to get this far in my career without the wonderful mentorship and support I had over the years, and I am passionate about paying it forward. I would love to share the insight and advice I received and learned to help anyone land their first job or internship!

I am a Private Equity Senior Associate at Ancient. Previously, I was an investment banking analyst in the Media and Communications group at Morgan Stanley and was previously an investment banking analyst in the TMT group at UBS. I graduated from the University of Richmond in 2020 with a BA in Business Administration with concentrations in finance and accounting. I decided to pursue a career in finance, and more specifically in investment banking, after many discussions with helpful mentors and peers. If you would like to discuss the recruitment process, networking, investment banking or different career paths in finance, please reach out!

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!

Hi, everyone. My name is Nicole D’Onofrio – I am a private equity investor with Astira Capital Partners in Boston, MA. Astira was founded in 2023 as a software and tech-enabled services private equity firm. Prior to joining Astira, I was an M&A Associate and Analyst with Harris Williams where I spent time across E&P, technology, and business services.  

I was inspired to start my career in investment banking after attending the Harris Williams Women’s Leadership Summit during my sophomore year of college. I pursued internships with Harris Williams, BB&T Capital Markets, and EisnerAmper prior to accepting a full-time role with Harris Williams upon graduating from the University of Richmond. I graduated with a dual degree in International Business and Italian Studies.

My areas of expertise include recruiting from non-traditional majors, leveraging diversity programs, evaluating opportunities across geographies, and private equity pivots among other topics. I have found my career to be incredibly exciting and rewarding – so I look forward to connecting and supporting you all in your next steps!

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!

Hi. My name is Joey Duffy and I am an investment banking analyst at BMO Capital Markets in New York. I grew up in Boston, MA, and studied finance, economics, and international business at Villanova University. I pursued a career in finance because I find the subject matter inherently interesting and I value the opportunity to take on significant responsibility in a team-based environment. At BMO I’m in the Healthcare group, covering Healthcare Services, Life Sciences, and Healthcare IT. I’m happy to speak with anyone interested in Investment Banking, BMO, or the Healthcare industry, and we can cover school, internships, recruiting, or interviews. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or if you just want to talk about Boston sports.

Hi. My name is Joey Duffy and I am an investment banking analyst at BMO Capital Markets in New York. I grew up in Boston, MA, and studied finance, economics, and international business at Villanova University. I pursued a career in finance because I find the subject matter inherently interesting and I value the opportunity to take on significant responsibility in a team-based environment. At BMO I’m in the Healthcare group, covering Healthcare Services, Life Sciences, and Healthcare IT. I’m happy to speak with anyone interested in Investment Banking, BMO, or the Healthcare industry, and we can cover school, internships, recruiting, or interviews. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, or if you just want to talk about Boston sports.

Hi, my name is George Politis. I’m currently an Investment Banking Analyst in the Financial Institutions Coverage Group at Truist Securities. In May 2021, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Finance and Legal Studies. My experience in Investment Banking so far has been incredibly rewarding and educational because at Truist we're constantly looking to communicate our clients' value to the best of our abilities. I can be a resource to you when it comes to presenting yourself in interview situations, learning the material at hand, or just any general industry questions.

Hello, my name is Prashant Bishwakarma and I am a Manager of Corporate Development at Capital One. Prior to Capital One, I was an investment banking analyst at Dickinson Williams & Company, a boutique investment bank serving companies in the lower middle market. Prior to DW&Co. and graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, I interned in public investment banking at B.C. Ziegler in the Senior Living group. I am happy to talk to any prospective student looking to get into finance, but I can be particularly helpful to students who attend a non-target university in secondary markets. I can also provide insight into F100 Corporate Development. Finance is a great career path for building a foundational understanding in business. I chose finance because it brings great visibility to management teams early in your career.

Hello, my name is R.J. Shamberger. I am currently a first-year private equity analyst at Partners Group, a Swiss-based private markets firm. I am based out of Denver, CO and rotating on our integrated investments team where we focus on primaries, secondaries, and co-investments. I am originally from Charlotte, NC, and earned my BA in Economics from Williams College in 2020. I spent my first year post-college as a teaching assistant at a New England prep school before transitioning into my current role. As someone with a non-traditional background, I initially found breaking into finance a daunting task but through building connections and exploring my passions I bridged my own path. I am happy to share the ins-and-outs of how I worked my way from the classroom to the desk and the lessons I learned along the way.

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.

I am a private equity associate at Permira in Menlo Park focusing on technology investments. Previously, I was an associate at H.I.G. Capital in the San Francisco office and, prior to this, was an investment banking analyst in the Industrials group at Guggenheim Partners, based in New York. I completed my undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis where I studied applied math, economics, and French. While at Wash U, I was also a member of the soccer team. My interest in finance originally stemmed from my search for a career path and professional environment that mimicked the competitive nature of the soccer team, and subsequently evolved into a passion for investing, which I view as one of the few fields that is interesting and truly demanding from both a quantitative and soft skills perspective. Between my experience at Guggenheim and Wash U, I bring several years of experience in helping undergrads succeed in the finance recruiting process and would be happy to chat with any students about all things related to investing, finance or academics. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about PFF, please email me!