As seen in the fall 2025 Ivy magazine.
The Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business launched the Ivy Investment Banking Initiative this fall to provide high-level academics and career-ready experience for students interested in careers in high finance.
The initiative is a specialized, high-impact program designed for students who want to stand out in the world of finance. Designed for students seeking a career in investment banking, the initiative aims to give students a comprehensive set of resources and experiences to get ahead in this competitive field.
Each year, 10 high-achieving students will be selected as Ivy scholars based on academic success, leadership, drive, and communication skills through an application and interview process. As an Ivy scholar, students join a close-knit, motivated group and gain access to:
- Technical training in financial modeling, valuation, and relevant tools of the industry.
- Mentorship and hands-on coaching from Cyclone alumni across high finance.
- Frequent and impactful networking opportunities with professionals at top firms.
- Support to land the best internships and full-time roles.
The Ivy Investment Banking Initiative aims to differentiate itself from other programs in meaningful ways.
“We plan on bringing students into the fold right away, giving select freshmen students additional training starting on day one through the Freshman Introductory Program. Most colleges make you wait until your second year for any sort of official guidance,” said Nick Greenwood (’23 computer engineering), an investment banking analyst with Harris Williams. Greenwood is a member of the initiative’s Alumni Advisory Council, along with four other Ivy finance alumni who are working or have worked in the investment banking field.
The Ivy Investment Banking Initiative is an evolution of the Wall Street Club, a student-led organization created nearly a decade ago at Iowa State with the same goals and similar tactics to drive placement into finance. As any Wall Street Club alumni will attest, the organization’s strongest attribute was its people.
Emily Bertulis, a junior from Plainfield, Illinois, plans to graduate in 2026 with degrees in finance and business analytics. During summer 2025, she worked as an investment banking analyst at Piper Sandler in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She joined the Wall Street Club at the start of her sophomore year.
“The club was instrumental in helping me secure my internship at Piper Sandler,” she said. “This year, I’ve served on the club’s leadership team, mentoring three freshmen who are also pursuing careers in investment banking.”
Bertulis is currently playing a big role in the process of transitioning the Wall Street Club into the initiative.
“In February, we learned that we had secured funding to transition our club into a new initiative – something we’ve been working toward for several years. My role in this transition has involved sharing updates with underclassmen, collaborating with our leadership team and industry mentors to shape the initiative’s direction, and communicating our vision with the Ivy College of Business.”
Bertulis is now one of the senior leads for the initiative.
“I’m drawn to investment banking because of the invaluable opportunity it provides early in your career. I plan to stay involved with the initiative after graduation, supporting future students in any way I can,” she said.
“This initiative is a valuable opportunity for Ivy students because it provides a clear, structured path into highly competitive fields – opportunities that are often difficult to access without the right resources and mentorship. I hope future students take full advantage of the professional development, networking, and support the initiative offers.”
Meet the director
The Ivy program will be led by David Spalding, a Wall Street veteran who retired as dean of the Ivy College of Business on June 30.
“Finance is currently the largest major at the college, and we know students who are interested in investment banking are hungry for mentorship and guidance to enter this extremely competitive field,” he said.
Before joining Iowa State in 2013, Spalding served for eight years at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, most recently as senior vice president and senior advisor to Dartmouth’s president. Before entering higher education, he had a 29-year career in finance in New York, New York.
