Ani Associate, Merchant Banking Merchant Banking/Private Equity division, London

One of the strengths of the firm is that teams from different parts of the firm are willing to help to get a deal done. 

Background

After graduating from the University of Sydney I joined an international corporate law firm and spent a number of years working in their London, Paris and Dubai offices before commencing an MBA at Harvard Business School. After graduating, I returned to London where I now work with Goldman Sachs.

Working in Merchant Banking

The work is rigorous and multi-disciplinary. As well as conducting financial analysis, I use my legal background—analyzing regulations, negotiating financing documents, sale and purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements. And I also use the skills I learned during my MBA—marketing, human capital management, entrepreneurship and operations.

Teamwork

There are so many parts of this firm pulling in the same direction—one of the strengths of the firm is that teams from different parts of the firm are willing to help to get a deal done. You can pick up the phone and call investment banking, tax, legal, credit and offices in Europe, the Americas and Asia and if they can help you, they will.

Affinity Networks

I belong to, and now co-head the Investment Banking Division/Merchant Banking Division Women’s Network, which provides opportunities for both genders to discuss issues relating to women in finance. It also provides women at Goldman Sachs with opportunities to meet each other. From a personal perspective, I find co-heading the network energizing. Connecting with other women has made me realize that although there still aren’t enough of us in finance, being a woman at Goldman Sachs doesn’t have to be an isolating experience.

Working Globally

Having an international perspective has been incredibly useful in this job. Our division’s Europe/Middle East/Africa team is multi-cultural—I walk into work every day and hear a mix of English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Danish. We work with companies all over Europe, so being sensitive to different cultural and commercial norms is important.