Wall Street Finance Alliance (formerly known as REFA Finance)
For hardworking, talented sophomores aspiring to careers in finance, the Wall Street Finance Alliance (WSFA) mentorship program provides an unparalleled opportunity to secure high-level internships that lead to coveted jobs. The WSFA program (formerly known as the REFA finance 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 WSFA 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 WSFA mentors 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 WSFA and the opportunities the mentorship program offers, please sarahclee
gwu [dot] edu (email WSFA Program Manager Sarah Lee).
- What to Expect
Recruitment for the Wall Street Finance Alliance mentorship program 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 WSFA 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.
- Meet the Class of 2026
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Name: Madison Bachmayer
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
Junior Summer Internship: PGIM Investments, Sales Internship (Newark, NJ)
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Name: Conor Brown
Grade: Senior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: IB Summer Analyst at Deutsche Bank (New York)
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance has given me invaluable support and resources that have greatly helped me throughout the recruiting process. They provided thorough guidance, preparing me for every step of networking and interviewing. Additionally, Wall Street Finance Alliance allowed me to work alongside individuals who share similar goals and ambitions, creating an environment where I could learn and grow with others who are just as passionate.
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Name: Cole Hadar
Grade: Senior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: IB Summer Analyst at Jefferies, Automotive Aftermarket (Boston)
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance has given me a community of intelligent, ambitious, and supportive individuals who are just as dedicated to and invested in my success as they are to their own. I attribute much of the success I’ve had so far in breaking into finance to the resources and mentorship Wall Street Finance Alliance has made available to me, and I’m excited to give back to this community all that I can.
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Name: Joshua Hanft
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
Junior Summer Internship: HSBC Markets and Securities Summer Intern (New York)
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance provided me with the resources and network required for me to adequately prepare for the S&T recruiting process. Through Wall Street Finance Alliance, I had mentors who gave me guidance, and who could answer any question that came to mind.
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Name: Shea Johnson
Grade: Junior/Senior
Track: Asset/Wealth Management
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance has offered me an invaluable platform for personal growth. Through a support system of mentors and alumni, I've developed valuable skills, gained a strong sense of belonging at GW, and formed lifelong friendships
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Name: Indy Nair
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: IB Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs, Healthcare (New York)
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship I've received through Wall Street Finance Alliance. The selflessness demonstrated by everyone in this organization, who dedicate their time to support one another, is truly remarkable.
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Name: Jayson Soleimany
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
Junior Summer Internship: UBS Katz Wealth Management (New York)
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance is the most influential experience I've had at GW. It has expanded my knowledge of the finance sector and provided me with access to valuable networking opportunities. Resources like interview preparation and mentorship have been key in helping me prepare for finance internships.
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Name: Jinsil Yearm
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: Private Equity Analyst at Vista Equity Partners
What I have gained from Wall Street Finance Alliance: Wall Street Finance Alliance allowed me to form genuine connections with the most supportive, smartest, hardworking individuals and mentors. This, in turn, pushed me to learn more about the industry, discover opportunities, and provide me with a community to lean on.
- Meet the Class of 2027
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Name: Murad Hassan
Grade: Junior
Track: Asset/Wealth Management
Junior Summer Internship: Private Wealth Management, Goldman Sachs
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Name: Aiden Inoue
Grade: Junior
Track: Asset/Wealth Management
Junior Summer Internship: Private Bank, JP Morgan
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Name: Julia Camporeale
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
Junior Summer Internship: Sales & Trading (Fixed Income), TD Securities
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Name: Akhil Vanka
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
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Name: Ilona Marinopoulos
Grade: Junior
Track: Sales & Trading
Junior Summer Internship: Sales & Trading (Fixed Income), Stifel
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Name: Emery Gasch
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: Investment Banking, Bank of America
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Name: Aryan Mirchandani
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: Investment Banking (M&A - Tech), Bank of America
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Name: Brian Kim
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: Investment Banking (LevFin), CIBC
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Name: John Milback
Grade: Junior
Track: Investment Banking
Junior Summer Internship: Investment Banking, Clearsight Advisors
- Meet the Class of 2028
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Name: Isabella Che
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Asset/Wealth Management
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Name: Glory Moon
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Asset/Wealth Management
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Name: Jake Poole
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Sales & Trading
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Name: Charlie Burns
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Investment Banking
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Name: Jivantikka De
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Investment Banking
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Name: Jake Hobbs
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Investment Banking
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Name: Omer Yildiz
Grade: Sophomore
Track: Investment Banking
- WSFA Alumni Council Members
Suzanne Dannheim ('20)
Chief Operating Officer, InversionStephen J. Brown ('18)
Vice President, Alliance BernsteinPhillip 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)
Associate Desk Manager, Morgan StanleyMauricio Izurieta ('01)
Managing Director, Bank of AmericaHannah Jackman ('21)
Investment Banking Associate, Goldman SachsAllison Latham ('13)
Director, UBSEric Muha ('22)
Associate, J.P. Morgan Asset ManagementAlyssa Shen ('23)
Capital Markets (BXCM), BlackstoneEmily Wagner ('12)
Vice President & ESG Research Analyst, Calvert Research and ManagementJames "JP" Wilkinson ('14)
Vice President, Goldman Sachs Group- View Requirements & Apply Today
All applicants must submit a comprehensive application and complete two rounds of interviews with a selection committee comprised of current WSFA 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 WSFA mentorship program-sponsored events, participate in training sessions, engage in extensive interview prep, attend the NY WSFA Networking Trek (in person or virtually), and work diligently to obtain a summer internship.