Ayo K.
5.0
Studied at Harvard Business School
Works at Morgan Stanley
Available Monday at 2:00 PM UTC
Usually responds within 3 hours
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
About Ayo
Ayo Kolawole is a real estate private equity professional at Morgan Stanley in New York with a proven track record of securing highly competitive roles in finance. He began his career with a real estate development internship as a freshman, then earned a coveted sophomore internship at Morgan Stanley—returning the following summer and ultimately receiving a full-time offer. Ayo brings hundreds of hours of coaching experience, developed through his leadership in UW–Madison’s Real Estate Private Equity Club. He specializes in helping students and early-career professionals—particularly those from non-target schools—master networking, interview prep, and securing return offers. Whether you're breaking into the industry or positioning yourself for long-term success, Ayo delivers clear, effective strategies to help you stand out and achieve your goals.
Why do I coach?
I was fortunate to have a great mentor early in my college career who helped me navigate the competitive recruiting process and introduced me to opportunities I hadn’t even considered. That guidance made a lasting impact on me, and as I progressed in my own career, I felt a strong desire to pay it forward. Since then, I’ve personally helped over 20 students land internships and full-time roles in real estate private equity and investment banking. Watching their success—and knowing I played a role in their journey—has been incredibly fulfilling. Coaching gives me the opportunity to continue that mentorship, share what I’ve learned, and help others reach their career goals with confidence.
Work Experience
Real Estate Private Equity Analyst
Morgan Stanley
July 2025 - Present
After completing two internships with Morgan Stanley’s Real Estate Investing (MSREI) platform, I returned full-time to join the Real Estate Private Equity team in New York City. In this role, I focus on sourcing, underwriting, and managing equity and debt investments across a range of asset classes, including office, industrial, residential, retail, and alternative sectors. I work closely with internal teams and operating partners to evaluate new investment opportunities, structure transactions, and drive value creation across the portfolio. My experience at Morgan Stanley has provided me with a strong foundation in real estate finance, investment analysis, and strategic asset management, while offering the opportunity to contribute to some of the most impactful transactions in the global real estate market.
Real Estate Private Equity Intern (Sophmore & Junior Summers)
Morgan Stanley
July 2022 - August 2024
Over the course of my sophomore and junior summer internships with Morgan Stanley’s Real Estate Investing (MSREI) group in New York City, I gained diverse exposure to the real estate private equity industry during a period of significant market change. Across the two summers, I underwrote over 40 investment opportunities spanning multiple asset classes, while witnessing firsthand the impact of rising interest rates, redemption queues in open-end funds, and the resurgence of large-cap fundraising.
Ayo was also given offers to work at
BlackRock
Principal Partners Capital Group
Education
Harvard Business School
Harvard Summer Venture in Maagement (HSVMP)
Selected to join Harvard Business School’s highly competitive Summer Venture in Management Program, a week-long residential program designed to increase diversity and opportunity in business leadership. With an acceptance rate of approximately 3%, SVMP brings together 180 top-performing students from across the country for a rigorous curriculum modeled after the HBS MBA experience.
Wisconsin School of Business
Bachelor's degree, Finance and real estate
2021 - 2025
Activities and societies: ~ Diverse leaders for tomorrow: President Real estate private equity club: Board of Directors Finance Student Advisory Board: Board Member
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Ayo has helped Leland clients get into University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ayo has helped clients get into these companies: