On March 19, 2024, Spelman College welcomed Goldman Sachs to campus for an afternoon of engagement and enrichment.
To start the day, Goldman Sachs co-hosted a networking lunch where students had the chance to meet with Goldman Sachs employees across various company sectors. Students traveled from table to table in the Manley Atrium, making valuable connections with Goldman Sachs representatives.
Following the networking event, Spelman students were invited to an Asset and Wealth Management panel, featuring Goldman Sachs investors and associates in the finance management space. Panelists Nina Meyers, C’2018, growth equity investor, and Timothy Madden, external investing group associate, offered wisdom and guidance for those preparing to enter the workforce.
The campus takeover culminated in a fireside chat between Asahi Pompey, global head of corporate engagement and president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, and Goldman Sachs chairman and CEO David Solomon. To kick off the discussion, Solomon first congratulated the College on its 2023 Market Madness win and wished the students luck in the upcoming 2024 competition.
Pompey and Solomon held a meaningful discussion about the work culture of Goldman Sachs, Solomon’s career path and the importance of maintaining health and wellness.
“Having the opportunity to introduce leaders of this caliber was surreal, and I remain incredibly grateful. It was an honorable experience to be amidst two dynamic individuals who have been driving significant investments within and outside the borders of Spelman College,” said Princess Dandoo, C’2025, economics major. “David’s anecdotal lesson on the value of time was incredibly insightful and applicable as a student preparing for the realities of life after college. Asahi’s adept strategy and leadership set the standard for philanthropic excellence.”
Toward the end, students took the opportunity to ask challenging questions about the state of banking in the U.S., the company, and its initiatives. One student asked about the future of Goldman Sachs’s One Million Black Women initiative, an initiative to invest $10 billion in direct investment capital and $100 million in philanthropic support to address the disproportionate gender and racial disparities faced by Black women with the goal of impacting the lives of at least one million Black women by 2030.
In response to a student’s question about the state of female leadership within the company, Solomon provided encouraging statistics.
“Five years ago, we hired about 65% men and 35% women out of university. Today, it’s about 51-53% women…and that was a cogent effort on our part that made a material change,” said Solomon. “In 2022, we promoted 29% women in the class to managing director positions, the most we’ve ever had.” While Solomon commended the progress the company has made over the years, he emphasized that there is always more work to do.
Solomon concluded by reassuring the students that it’s normal to not know everything when coming into a new, entry level position. He emphasized that the work culture at Goldman Sachs allows ample room for growth and development.
“It’s our job to train you, give you mentors and coaching and help you develop. It’s your job to learn, work hard, ask questions, and to grow,” said Solomon. “I think you’ll find there’s a lot of support to allow that growth to happen.”
