Skip to Content

Meet the Members New Investment Banking Academy to open doors on Wall Street for finance students

09-30-2025

The Daniels School of Business has assembled an exceptional group of professionals for its new Investment Banking Academy, marking a pivotal moment for business school students aspiring to careers on Wall Street.

This board, boasting dedicated alumni and industry leaders, is driving a mission that blends rigorous preparation and powerful networking, directly addressing the unique hurdles that finance majors face when seeking elite internships and placements.

Investment Banking Academy board members will prepare and empower undergraduate finance students for early and successful access to investment banking careers. Meet the members below and learn more about the Investment Banking Academy in Daniels Insights.

Headshot of Joel Bartlow

Joel Bartlow

Executive Director
Morgan Stanley

Headshot of Ashish Bhagwanjee

Ashish Bhagwanjee

Senior Portfolio Manager
Vice President
Dimensional Fund Advisors

Headshot of Thaddeus Davis

Thaddeus Davis

Managing Director
Cain Brothers

Headshot of Aubrey Ellis

Aubrey Ellis

MBA Candidate
Chicago Booth

Headshot of David Fox

David Fox

Partner & Co-Head of Sage Fund
Leonard Green & Partners

Headshot of Sam McCartney

Sam McCartney

Director, Private Markets
Cresset

Headshot of Michael O'Neill

Michael O'Neill

Operating Principal
Davidson Kempner Capital Management

Headshot of Blake Saunders

Blake Saunders

Partner
CORE Advisors

Headshot of Eashvar Venkatraman

Eashvar Venkatraman

Investment Banking Associate
Leerink Partners

Headshot of Allie Veselka

Allie Veselka

Executive Director
J.P. Morgan

Alumni play a critical role in advancing the IBA’s mission. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • Mentorship and mock interviews: Even a half-day once a semester can make a big impact.
  • Networking and panel participation: Sharing personal experiences and insights, whether through campus visits or virtual calls.
  • For alumni based in NYC and Chicago, hosting the IBA for a company visit at your firm.
  • Professional partnerships: For mid- and late-career alumni, opening hiring pipelines for internships or first-year analyst roles amplifies opportunities for Daniels students.

With the support of its distinguished board and engaged alumni, the Investment Banking Academy is poised to equip the next generation of Wall Street leaders. Purdue Finance alumni interested in contributing to the academy can contact Alex Boquist at aboquist@purdue.edu.