REFA Finance Mentorship Program
For hardworking, talented sophomores aspiring to careers on Wall Street, the finance track of the Real Estate & Finance Alliance (REFA) mentorship program provides an unparalleled opportunity to secure high-level internships that lead to coveted jobs. The REFA program is designed to prepare GW students to interview in a competitive marketplace, match students with leading alumni for mentorship opportunities, and utilize high-level alumni to open doors at their companies and secure top jobs in the industry. Recent members of the REFA finance program have landed (as interns and full-time employees) in the investment banking, sales and trading, and asset/wealth management divisions of premier financial institutions like Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, TD Securities, Perella Weinberg Partners, Deutsche Bank, and Vista Equity Partners.
GW alumni and the REFA mentees are united in the goal of expanding the career possibilities of GW students today as well as creating a legacy of access to high-level job placement in finance. If you are interested in working in finance and want to learn more about REFA and the opportunities the mentorship program offers, please email Andrew Hasson or Alexander Cox.
- What to Expect
Recruitment for the Finance arm of REFA is a commitment, but one that all of our mentors deem to be well worth the time and effort. As a prospective mentee in your sophomore year, you will be expected to set up brief informational chats with junior and senior REFA mentors. There will be information sessions hosted at the onset of your first semester as a sophomore, where you will receive all the contact information necessary to do so, but do not wait for these sessions to begin if you feel prepared. Throughout this process, you will be expected to choose one of the following paths: Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, or Asset & Wealth Management. After speaking with mentors and putting in preparatory work, both individually and with peers, you will then apply within the first two months of the semester, and a select number of you will be invited to participate in our Superday which will consist of a series of technical, behavioral and case study interviews with current mentors and alumni. For those who are accepted, the program for the remainder of the year will consist of the following:
- Saturday Sessions
- One-on-one Mentoring Sessions
- Alumni Coffee Chats
- Trek to New York Office Headquarters
The mentors work to make sure our mentees are prepared and confident when applying and interviewing for summer internships at banks across the street. The senior leadership team and junior mentors structured the program to model the experiences and knowledge that we felt were integral for success when recruiting for and later working on Wall Street.
- View Requirements & Apply Today
All applicants must submit a comprehensive application and complete two rounds of interviews with a selection committee comprised of current REFA mentees, GW staff and leading alumni.
Once selected, students work closely with representatives of the Fowler Career Center and their mentors on resume/interview preparation and job prospecting. Each student will be assigned to former mentees and distinguished alumni for mentoring. They will be required to attend all REFA mentorship program-sponsored events, participate in training sessions, engage in extensive interview prep, attend the NY REFA Networking Trek (in person or virtually), and work diligently to obtain a summer internship.
- Meet the Class of 2023
Rohan Bagli
Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance, concentration in Marketing and Information Systems with a minor in Economics
Career Interest(s): Financial Services, Wealth Management, and Asset Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I plan to hone in on the skills necessary to withstand the pressure and high volume work schedule of high level finance students. To do this I will hope to create a strong and lasting relationship with fellow REFA alumni along with my mentors. I will also aim to create a great team atmosphere with my REFA peers that are in my class. I aspire to contribute to REFA right now by trying my best to add my perspective to our discussions on the financial markets so that we can better our knowledge of the field of finance. In the future, I want to reach a point where I am contributing as an alumni, helping students get into different jobs, and providing them with even more advice and guidance.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
My experience at Henry and Horne Wealth Management as a summer intern and learning the intricacies of the financial markets through my classes at GW has piqued my interest into the field of finance. I also routinely read news articles about the markets and study different trends so I can formulate my own opinion on the market.
Augustus Burkhardt
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance and Political Science
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking, Financial Services
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA by working alongside like-minded, competitive individuals who are determined to push each other to be our best both personally and professionally. I am confident that we will be able to use the resources made available to us to sharpen our interview skills and expand our professional networks. If given the opportunity to learn from such an accomplished group of mentors, I will develop the skillset necessary to pursue a career in finance. One day, I hope to have the opportunity to offer valuable advice and mentorship to future mentees.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
I took the summer after my freshman year to solidify my passion in the field of finance, through books, virtual classes and professional networking. Networking with professionals has been the most interesting and informative part of my preparation to pursue a career in finance. Furthermore, I have been able to gain real world experience in the field of finance through an internship this fall at a Wealth Management firm.
Sophia Gallant
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Business
Career Interest(s): Asset Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to further develop my professional and personal skills by building connections with the vast alumni network connected to REFA, as well as with surrounding peers. Utilizing this opportunity to learn from those around me, I will not only build my network but also strengthen my behavioral and technical interview skills and general financial hard skills. I also look forward to providing advice and guidance to an incoming REFA class in the coming semesters.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
In my first year at GW, I joined Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, where I was able to gain exposure to different opportunities available for business students at GW, like REFA. During the first semester of my sophomore year, I joined the Finance and Investments Club to further my understanding of the markets. These organizations, in addition to my individual efforts to gain an understanding of general financial knowledge, have prepared me for a career in finance.
Miles Gally
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance and International Business; Minor in Economics
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA by learning to navigate the internship search process and becoming a prime candidate for a job in Investment Banking. With the help of current and past mentees, I know I will have the skills and network necessary to land a competitive internship. One day, I want to be able to offer advice to future mentees who are trying to navigate the process.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
One of the first steps I took was to join Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, where I was able to use their network and resources to explore a career in finance. My interest grew through the fraternity investment committee, and that led me to an internship in Private Equity for Fall 2020.
Trevor Haen
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance; Minor in Economics
Career Interest(s): Asset Management, Private Wealth Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
By joining the REFA program, I hope to develop the professional and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed at a competitive firm in the financial industry. I am excited by the prospect of learning from REFA's extensive network of experienced alumni to gain valuable insight into the Asset Management industry. Furthermore, I am eager to receive feedback and career advice from peer mentors who have been successful in the recruitment process. With the knowledge and tools I attain, I hope to contribute to REFA as an alumnus by offering guidance and mentorship to future mentees.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
While pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance, I have taken finance and accounting courses that serve as a solid educational foundation for my future career. In addition to taking fundamental courses, I diligently follow the markets to achieve a better understanding of finance and the issues impacting investment decisions. By networking with professionals and learning more about their roles and responsibilities, I have solidified my interest in the financial industry. In an effort to gain real-world experience managing an organization’s investments and overseeing investment strategy, I have taken the role of Portfolio Manager for Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity on campus. By joining REFA, I am taking my interest in finance to the next step and committing to the professional and academic preparation required to pursue a career in Asset Management.
Rehan Hak
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Finance
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking, Sales & Trading
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
In joining the REFA Mentorship Program, I hope to be able to further my skills, both technical and behavioral, to put myself in the best position for success for a career on Wall Street. Working with peers who have the same professional goals as I do is something that I’m immensely looking forward to, and I hope to be able to leverage the knowledge I gain to successfully pursue a career in the financial services industry. Furthermore, I also hope to build new connections with REFA members before me and learn from as well as develop long lasting relationships with them. Likewise, when I graduate, I hope to be able to be a resource for the mentee class at that point, just as classes prior were for me.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
I’ve started reaching out to GW alumni on Wall Street to better develop my professional network. In pursuing a career in Finance, I’ve expanded my horizons by pursuing a dual B.S. in International Affairs and Finance, just to get a more rounded view of how finance intersects the world around us. Furthermore,
I keep with the news on a daily basis, just so I know the happenings of the financial sector. Finally, joining certain student organizations on campus has helped me gain actual experience in regards to financial work.
Jessica Iaconis
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing
Career Interest(s): Sales and Trading, Financial Services
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
REFA will connect me with a network of ambitious students and professionals in the industry that are able to be such great resources in helping me prepare for a career in finance. I will be able to build valuable connections and learn from the exposure I get from having stimulating conversations. With insight from the REFA mentors and peers in the program, I have been able to hear from personal accounts that will help me learn as I go through the recruiting process. With my growth through the process, I hope to be as much of a resource to future mentees. REFA acknowledges the potential of everyone in the program, and through collaboration, we invest in one another’s skillsets to prepare us for our career tracks.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
I have made it a primary goal of mine to get involved as much as possible in professional development and skill-building opportunities to build my intellectual curiosity. In high school, I got exposure to careers in different sectors of business through professional development internship programs. With the advantage of experience from interning at Accenture in management consulting and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in public finance investment banking in my native New York City, I was able to leverage integral professional skills and knowledge of what constitutes working in the industry. I have been fortunate to be able to expand my network from those experiences and insight programs such as the Morgan Stanley Freshman Enhancement Program, Goldman Sachs Women’s Leadership Camp, and RBC Women’s Advisory Program. The mentorship and knowledge I have gained, as a result, have been able to contribute to my ambition of pursuing a career in the financial sector.
Grayson Kaminer
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Business Concentrating in Finance and International Business
Career Interest(s): Asset Management, Private Wealth Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from the REFA mentorship program by attaining the necessary knowledge and skills to have a successful career on Wall Street. Furthermore, I look forward to networking with REFA current members and established alumni to better prepare myself for my career path. By taking advantage of these opportunities, I will be able to further develop my understanding of finance and position myself up for future success. Most importantly, I hope to grow in all aspects of life through the REFA Mentorship Program. As a future mentor and alum, I hope to help future REFA students by offering them valuable guidance and personal expertise for many years to come.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Since the start of my freshman year, I have been making weekly career perspective and informational interview calls to family, friends, and alumni to gain personal and professional expertise in the financial services industry. In addition to my relevant course work, I participate in Wall Street Prep crash courses to further enhance my education as a business student. Also, I devote time each day to research the markets, in order to stay up to date on various market trends.
Harrison Moon
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Affairs
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I have learned that having a strong network is easily one of your most valuable assets when recruiting from GW. REFA helps students in their first steps of developing just that, and throughout my process, I am determined to utilize every available resource the program offers. Just as alumni have helped me thus far, strengthening GW network and connecting with the future members of REFA is a service I would be happy to contribute to.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
In addition to a relevant major in finance, my passion outside of class has been a strong driving force behind my career pursuits. Involvement in the Finance and Investments Club is particularly helpful, as it provides space for me to expand my financial knowledge. Additionally, reading industry news, studying interview guides, and gaining work experience have often pushed me to want to learn more.
Carter Pew
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance with a Minor in Biology
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking, Financial Management, Biotechnology
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA through my collaboration with a group of like-minded individuals just as ambitious as myself. By working alongside my peers to develop my skillset and broaden my horizons I hope to be able to acquire the necessary skills to be successful in wherever my career takes me. Additionally, by taking advantage of the vast network of alumni and senior mentors I hope to learn more from those who have walked a similar path and apply their insight to my future endeavors.
To contribute to REFA I bring a unique perspective through my experience in the healthcare industry as a part of a biotechnology startup. Combined with my Minor in Biology I hope to bring about a less traditional aspect of finance and show how science and business can collaborate to be successful for all involved.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
After growing up in Portland, Oregon, I knew I needed a change of pace of DC was just that. After arriving at George Washington University I decided to rush a professional business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi and through that my passion for finance began to blossom. I had always been an analytical person but I was uncertain where I should apply my skills until I found finance. Through my time working as the CFO of a biotechnology startup and my work in a fundraising capacity for my fraternity I have prepared myself for a role in finance. Additionally, utilizing my connections that formed through my time at GW I have honed my interests and learned more about what a career in finance could mean to me.
Alyssa Shen
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics; Minor in Computer Science
Career Interest(s): Sales and Trading, Asset Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
Through REFA, I hope to be part of a finance-focused community surrounded by those who are committed to helping their peers while pursuing their own careers interests on Wall Street. With support from junior, senior, and alumni mentors in REFA, I will build a foundation of knowledge which prepares me for the rigorous recruitment process. As I gain more skills and experience through the program, I look forward to being able to give back by being a mentor, sharing my professional network, and offering valuable advice both while at GW and as an alumna.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Upon arriving at The George Washington University, I searched for a career path that would combine my communication skills and my quantitative experiences. Joining Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity, I solidified my interest in finance and explored the various sectors of an investment bank early on in my college career. Through my membership in the fraternity, I was fortunate enough to expand my network and become involved in organizations such as George Washington Women in Business (GWWIB). I hope to utilize skills from my various academic, co-curricular, and internship experiences in pursuing a career in finance.
Nicolas Szpigiel
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Science in International Affairs and Finance
Career Interest(s): Emerging Markets, Asset Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I intend to capitalize on REFA’s invaluable career and professional networks in addition to connecting with a diverse and intellectually motivated group of students. By assimilating and absorbing information from senior members and my ardent peers, I know that REFA’s influence will leave an indelible impression on me. I look forward to being in a position where I can help young, ambitious GW students interested in international affairs and finance.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
Pursuing a B.S. in International Affairs and Finance, joining the Finance and Investments Club as a first-year student, and constantly reading the news and keeping up with the markets, has allowed me to begin educating myself within a globally-oriented business philosophy.
Daniel Ventura
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance; Minor in Psychology
Career Interest(s): Investment Banking, Wealth Management
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to utilize the knowledge and experience of my REFA mentors to help me succeed in my future career. While schooling is important, I believe the most valuable skills come from experience in the real world. REFA offers an unmatched opportunity for me to network not only with alumni, but also with older peers who have been in my position before and are eager to offer their advice. I look forward to the day when I get to take on the role of mentor and get to pass on my wisdom and advice to future REFA members.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
After starting work at 14, it was suggested to me that I invest some of my earnings. Since buying my first couple of Amazon stocks, I have worked as much as my employers would let me, and I have invested most of my earnings. This early experience with the market propelled my interest in the field of Finance. By taking relevant classes and utilizing the wisdom of alumni and more experienced peers, I hope to build a successful career.
Christopher Wright
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Class Year: Class of 2023
School: School of Business
Graduation Date: May 2023
Degree and Concentration(s): BBA, Finance and International business; Minor in Political Science
Career Interest(s): Asset Management and Wealth Management, Consulting, Financial Services
How do you hope to benefit from and contribute to the REFA Mentorship Program?
I hope to benefit from REFA by becoming part of a network of experts in the financial world who can help me earn an internship and career in my field. Additionally, I hope to benefit by learning from my fellow mentees, mentors, and alumni who have previously been in my position. I plan to contribute by providing insight to my peer mentees and future mentees about my past experiences in finance.
What action steps have prepared you to pursue a career in real estate or finance?
From a young age I have been trading stocks and bonds, and this sparked my interest in finance. More recently, I was fortunate enough to intern at a bank in their commercial banking department; it was there that I realized I wanted to work in a client-facing position, specifically building client portfolios.
- REFA Finance Track Alumni Council Members
Suzanne Dannheim ('20)
Digital Assets, Goldman Sachs
REFA Council Co-chairStephen J. Brown ('18)
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
REFA Council Co-chairPhillip Brill-Edwards ('03)
Managing Director, J.P. MorganTaylor Brimberg ('18)
Vice President, Wells FargoAugie Burkhardt ('23)
Investment Banking Analyst, Wells FargoAlex Caffrey ('13)
Principal, Boundary CompaniesAndrew Ellis ('22)
Financial Planning (Virtual Engagement Associate), Morgan StanleyMauricio Izurieta ('01)
Managing Director, Bank of AmericaHannah Jackman ('21)
Investment Banking Associate, Goldman SachsAllison Latham ('13)
Director, UBSEric Muha ('22)
Analyst, J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementAlyssa Shen ('23)
Investment Banking Analyst, CitiEmily Wagner ('12)
Vice President & ESG Research Analyst, Calvert Research and ManagementJames "JP" Wilkinson ('14)
Vice President, Goldman Sachs Group
