Wall Street for McCombs Celebrates 10 Years

The program has opened career pathways for 600 of the school’s top finance students 

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Supporters of Wall Street for McCombs gather for a 10th anniversary photo. They are, from left, Howard Berk, BBA ’87, advisory partner with BDT & MSD Partners; Jake Foley, BBA/MPA ’88, vice president of Tungsten Advisors; Xavier Sztejnberg, McCombs associate professor of finance instruction; Holly Goodrich, MBA ’04, executive and partner at Apollo Global Management; George Ackert, BBA ’91, senior managing director at Evercore Partners; and Carlos Whitaker, BBA/MPA ’00, senior managing director and funds president at Blackstone Inc. 

Dozens of alumni, supporters, and students gathered in New York last week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Wall Street for McCombs (WSFM).

The program, co-founded in 2016 by associate professor of finance instruction Xavier Sztejnberg, was established to foster the professional growth of high-performing students in his department. The milestone celebration included a reception with speakers, including Sztejnberg; McCombs Dean Bradley R. Staats; WSFM co-founder George Ackert, BBA ’91, senior managing director at Evercore; and Holly Goodrich, MBA ’04, global head of consultant relations and partner with Apollo Global Management. Goodrich and Ackert are past chairs of the New York for McCombs (NYFM) Council.

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Xavier Sztejnberg, center, co-founder of Wall Street for McCombs, poses with WSFM alumni during the program’s 10th anniversary celebration Sept. 28 in New York City. 

The highly selective program admits students through an extensive application and interview process with its executive committee. Selections are based on students’ knowledge of the financial industry, their academic performance, leadership roles in student groups or athletics, and prior work experience.

Admitted students receive ongoing career coaching and guidance from mentors, and access to exclusive courses that prepare them for a future in finance. Students are also expected to give back once they graduate by mentoring other students, serving on the NYFM Council, and representing UT at their future firms.

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Students, staff members, and supporters of Wall Street for McCombs gathered in New York City on Sept. 28 to mark the program’s 10th anniversary. Pictured left to right are Susanne Gealy, director of Wall Street for McCombs; Tiffany Swan, WSFM senior administrative program director; Sarah Moore, McCombs senior director of development; and Holly Hazlett, executive director of development.

Staats, who began his term as dean in July, says the program is a testament to the high caliber of McCombs students and alumni.

“I have been incredibly impressed by [their] ambition, generosity, and sense of community,” he said, “and by how committed they are to opening doors for the next generation of McCombs students.”

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WSFM co-founder Xavier Sztejnberg poses with with Laura Rose, BBA/MBA ’99, director of investor relations at Birnam Oak Advisors, and Jake Foley, vice president of Tungsten Advisors.

With more than 600 students having completed the program so far, WSFM has surpassed Sztejnberg’s original expectations — and he’s optimistic about the program’s future.

“The growth of Wall Street for McCombs has exceeded anything I imagined 10 years ago,” Sztejnberg said, “and it has put UT on the map in the world of finance.”

Recruitment for Wall Street for McCombs opens again in fall 2027, with applications due in September. For more information, visit the website.

Story by Miranda Bradley

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