Investment Banking Coaches

With a robust background in finance and investment banking, I bring over two decades of experience to my coaching practice. As a former Director at Merrill Lynch, I led numerous IPOs and raised over $1B for Asian companies, working closely with top institutional funds such as Fidelity and Vanguard. In addition to my transactional experience, I was involved in interviewing and evaluating candidates as part of the hiring process, giving me firsthand insight into how banks assess talent. My expertise extends to coaching startup founders and C-suite executives, empowering them to unlock their full potential and thrive in dynamic environments. Whether you’re aiming to break into investment banking or advance your career, I help clients navigate complexity with clarity and confidence. Let’s connect and chart your path to success

With direct investment banking and investing experience across multiple sectors, I bring a well-rounded perspective to help you target and excel in specialized groups. At Lazard, I worked directly on Media & Telecommunications mandates, gaining firsthand exposure to the strategic and financial nuances of the industry. I also supported several Restructuring (RX) engagements during my internship, giving me practical experience with distressed situations and debt advisory, and I’ve since helped clients successfully place into top restructuring groups at elite boutiques. In addition, I gained Financial Institutions Group (FIG) experience through my work on an insurance-focused private equity investment, developing a strong understanding of how investors and banks evaluate capital-intensive, regulated businesses. Beyond traditional coverage groups, I’ve recruited for and coached candidates into Energy investment banking, having gone through the Houston recruiting process myself and understanding both the technical depth and industry-specific expectations of those roles. I also bring experience in Software, having worked on a growth-stage software investment and successfully coached multiple clients into leading software-focused growth equity and private equity firms. This cross-sector exposure allows me to provide tailored coaching not only on technical and market-specific preparation, but also on how to differentiate yourself for specialized groups. Whether you are targeting Media & Telecom, FIG, Energy, Software, or Restructuring, I can help you craft a compelling story, sharpen your technicals, and position yourself as a top candidate.

I’m an investment banker with ~8 years of experience advising companies and sponsors on complex M&A, capital raises, and restructuring transactions across media, sports, consumer, and technology. I’ve worked at Citi, Three Ocean Partners, and currently LionTree, where I advise founders, executives, and investors on high-stakes transactions with real strategic and financial complexity. I also hold an MBA from Columbia Business School. I work with candidates not only on breaking into investment banking, but also on succeeding once they’re on the job. I help clients prepare for interviews, develop strong technical and deal discussion skills, and build confidence in financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring. For those already in seat, I also provide hands-on support with modeling, diligence, and thinking through how deals actually progress — from initial materials and outreach through execution and closing. My goal is to help clients think clearly, communicate crisply, and operate at a high level in real banking situations.

With 10 years of experience in Investment Banking and Private Equity, including my time as an Associate at Goldman Sachs and Director of M&A at Fanatics, I bring a wealth of experience to help you break into the competitive world of finance. I’ve had the privilege of coaching over 200 students on career preparation, interview techniques, and overall career development, helping them secure roles at top firms like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Evercore, and JPMorgan. During my time at Goldman, I conducted over 150 interviews for analyst and associate positions and led training programs for new hires, giving me a deep understanding of what top firms are looking for in candidates. I also have a passion for mentorship, having worked with organizations like MLT and Modern Guild, where I’ve guided 50+ students through resume reviews, interview preparation, and mock interviews tailored to banking and private equity roles. I specialize in helping students refine their answers, build confidence, and master the technical skills needed to excel in high-stakes interviews. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or looking to refine your approach, I’m here to help you succeed!

I started my career at Moelis & Company in Los Angeles as an investment banking analyst in 2020 during which time I closed 4 transactions across buy and sell-sides and helped support the recruiting process for new analysts in the office. During my time at Moelis & Company, I was selected for an early and accelerated promotion to associate (offered to less than 5% of analysts) and was a top analyst at the firm. I have extensive experience navigating the investment banking recruiting process across both bulge brackets and elite boutique firms, and personally interviewed both for traditional M&A and restructuring roles. I am happy to help folks think through prep, networking strategy, and how to leverage offers across firms to maximize your recruiting outcomes.

I was a senior associate in Investment Banking (FIG) at Goldman Sachs in London, where I worked on strategic and advisory projects for financial institutions across EMEA, building my skills in financial modelling and valuation analysis. I've also co-founded initiatives and advised entrepreneurs through Antler, a global VC firm. I hold an MBA from Harvard Business School, where I was nominated to tutor in business and international economy courses. I'm passionate about helping people from underprivileged or non-traditional backgrounds break into this often opaque industry and figure out if it's the right fit for them. Let’s chat!

I'm an investor with 10 years of experience across hedge funds, growth equity and investment banking. I started my career at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking division for 2 years in the Financial Institutions Group (FIG). I interned at GS in my junior year summer and received a full time offer. I then went on to spend the next year years in the hedge fund world with roles at Citadel and Echo Street (~$15bn long short and long only manager) focusing on both public equities and private growth equity investments. I graduated first class honors from Queen's University and held internships every year of college. My approach is personal. I can help candidates break into hedge funds, growth equity and investment banking roles including deep dives into industry trends, stock ideas, thesis crafting and conviction, valuation and risk analysis and mock interviews. I can also help with crafting resumes, behavioral and technical preparation. I can also help with deep dives also can help candidates prepare for the day to day rigor of working in the hedge fund and investment banking industry. If you are looking for honest and candid feedback from someone with significant industry experience I'm happy to help.

Fiona Taft is an exceptional coach for investment banking careers, with deep expertise developed through her leadership of career services at UC Berkeley’s elite Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Program—one of the top pipelines for investment banking, sales and trading, and quantitative finance roles. She has successfully coached students into front-office positions at leading global banks by providing targeted guidance on technical and behavioral interview preparation, networking strategies, and offer negotiation. Fiona has also cultivated strong relationships with top-tier investment banks and led career treks to financial hubs like New York and Chicago, resulting in increased placement rates and stronger employer engagement. Her deep understanding of the finance landscape, coupled with her data-driven approach and individualized coaching style, uniquely equips her to help candidates break into and thrive in competitive investment banking roles.

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience in the investment banking sector, I've led and executed over 50 M&A transactions with enterprise values ranging from $100 million to $2 billion across diverse industries. My career spans top firms like Oppenheimer & Co, UBS, and Wasserstein Perella, where I honed my skills in strategic advisory, business development, and team leadership. As a coach, I've successfully guided 50+ individuals through the competitive landscape of investment banking, helping them secure roles at leading firms. Whether you're looking to break into the industry or advance your career, I'm here to provide tailored guidance and support. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

I successfully broke into investment banking from a non-finance background while at Wharton, landing first-round interviews across top bulge bracket and elite boutique firms—both in coverage and product groups. I ultimately accepted an offer from J.P. Morgan’s M&A team, my top choice, and received a return offer after a strong summer internship. Having gone through the process myself, I understand how overwhelming MBA recruiting can be—especially for career switchers. I can help you clarify your story, prepare for behavioral and technical interviews, and navigate firm preferences and group selection. Beyond the recruiting process, I also coach on how to succeed during the internship itself and evaluate whether banking is the right path based on your long-term goals. Whether you’re just exploring the idea or are deep in prep, I’m here to help you make confident, well-informed decisions.