The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast

Hosted by Peter Nieberg - Founder, IB Leaders Club
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Unlock the secrets of investment banking success from those who’ve reached the top. The IB Leaders Podcast is built for ambitious investment bankers committed to growth, leadership, and long-term success. Whether you’re an Analyst or Associate aspiring to lead, a VP or Director making the critical shift from execution to origination, or a Managing Director seeking fresh perspectives, each episode features in-depth conversations with the industry’s most accomplished leaders. Our mission is simple: connect you with the best minds in investment banking so you can learn, grow, and lead.

  1. 27 JAN

    From Medical School to Wall Street: How Great Investment Bankers Think Beyond the Deal

    What separates transactional bankers from truly trusted advisors? In this episode, Philip Ross, Vice Chairman at Jefferies shares his unconventional journey from medical school to Wall Street, and the principles that have shaped his 28+ year career. Philip explains why the best bankers think in 10-year relationship arcs, stay relentlessly client-centric, and hold themselves to exceptionally high standards, even when no deal is on the table. He also breaks down how VPs and Directors can move beyond execution to become strategic partners clients trust. A masterclass in leadership, origination, and long-term thinking from one of the industry’s most respected voices.

    45 min

  2. 19 JAN

    How to Build an Investment Banking Boutique from Zero, and Why Origination Is the Real Power

    Most investment bankers are trained to execute.Very few are trained to originate and that’s why most never make partner or build their own firm. In this episode, Marcel Brix, Co-Managing Director and shareholder at Blok Management, shares how he went from intern to co-founder of one of Germany’s fastest-growing boutique investment banks and why he now spends 90% of his time on origination. We break down: What really changes when you move from executor to originator How Marcel helped scale a boutique from zero to 20+ people Why discipline, routines, and soft skills matter more than technical brilliance How VPs can start building a personal deal pipeline today The leadership mindset required to grow a firm without losing culture If you want to advance faster, build leverage, or one day launch your own boutique, this episode is a must-listen. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to the Investment Banking Leaders PodcastWhy this episode matters for ambitious bankers 02:00 – From intern to boutique banker: Marcel’s unconventional pathWhy big banks weren’t the right fit 06:30 – How Bloc Management was bornThe deal that changed everything 09:00 – The brutal early days of building a boutiqueDoing everything yourself — models, pitches, admin, and sales 14:30 – Why origination is the real career unlock in investment bankingThe skill most bankers never properly develop 18:00 – The partner problem: execution vs. originationWhy many bankers hit a ceiling 21:30 – How Marcel spends 90% of his time on originationFunnels, LinkedIn, podcasts, and consistency 26:00 – Advice for VPs trying to become originatorsHow to carve out origination time without dropping execution quality 30:00 – Should bankers learn sales?Why soft skills matter more than most admit 34:00 – Discipline, routines, and compounding habitsWhy success is a marathon, not a sprint 38:30 – Leadership lessons from building a firm from scratch How to lead without ego 42:00 – Treating interns like future partners Why culture compounds over time 45:00 – Building and protecting culture while scaling Putting people first — even before shareholders 48:00 – Book recommendation: Atomic Habits Why small habits drive outsized results 49:00 – One piece of advice for bankers who want to build their own boutique Start earlier than you think Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/Host: Peter Nieberg (  https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/ )Guest: Marcel Brix: (  https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-brix/ ) / https://www.blok-management.de/en/Sponsors: https://www.altrum.com/

    49 min

  3. 02/12/2025

    From Small Town to Shareholder Battles: How Kai Liekefett Became the World's Top Activism Defense Lawyer

    Welcome back to another great episode of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast! In today's episode, we will explore how one man's refusal to lose and deep belief in integrity built the world's most elite shareholder activism defense practice. From a small steel town in Germany to Wall Street, Kai Liekefett became the world's top shareholder activism defense lawyer. He unpacks the "soap opera" of corporate battles, how he built a booming practice with constant BD, and why asking “why” is the key to leadership, learning, and client trust. To learn more from Kai, tune into Episode 38 of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast today!

    46 min

  4. 18/11/2025

    From Dreamer to Dealmaker: Luis Carlos Ochoa Paris on Building Valoriza Group & Leading with Grit

    Welcome back to The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast! In this episode, our host Pete Nieberg chats with Luis Carlos Ochoa Paris, founder of Valoriza Group.From his early days in Colombia reading the Wall Street Journal to becoming a top independent investment banker in Latin America, Luis shares his journey, lessons learned, and leadership advice.Don't miss this inspiring conversation covering client trust, grit, international exposure, and the impact of AI in investment banking!Join the Investment Banking Leaders Club for more valuable resources at ibleadersclub.com.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:41 Meet Luis Carlos Ochoa Paris01:07 Luis's Journey to Founding Valoriza Group07:09 Keys to Building Trust in Cross-Border Transactions09:26 Client-Centric Culture at Valoriza14:25 Leadership Lessons from Family and Mentors15:56 The Role of Discipline in Personal and Professional Life18:13 Importance of Networking and Client Relationships22:13 The Power of Networking in Business23:36 Transitioning from Execution to Origination23:46 Insights on Working at Citi28:00 Advice for Aspiring Global Bankers30:28 Finding Passion in Investment Banking35:44 The Role of AI in Investment Banking39:25 Recommended Reads for Leaders42:00 Final Reflections and Advice

    44 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    Breaking In, Standing Out, and Building Edge: Chiara Operto on the Future of Banking Talent

    Welcome back to another episode of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast! This week, we welcome Chiara Operto, founder of Edge Skills. In Episode 36, she shares how she went from Credit Suisse M&A to fintech entrepreneur, why sales and soft skills matter more than ever, and how AI is shaping finance training! A must-listen for aspiring bankers, juniors, and future leaders!00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:39 Introducing Today's Guest: Chiara Operto 01:51  Chiara's Journey in Investment Banking 04:10 Building Trust and Standing Out as a Junior Banker 11:02 The Importance of Sales Skills in Banking 15:17 Leadership and Entrepreneurship Insights 17:59 Managing Resilience and Avoiding Burnout 20:11 Taking Risks and Embracing Entrepreneurship 21:52 The Importance of Co-Founders 23:11 AI in Recruiting: Opportunities and Challenges 26:25 Staying Relevant in an AI-Driven World 27:36 Business Development and Community Building 30:42 Proactive Outreach and Building Visibility 34:57 Advice for Aspiring Professionals 36:21 Recommended Resources and Final Thoughts

    40 min

  6. 16/09/2025

    From Biology Lab to Boardroom: Aaron Schwimmer on Leading with Curiosity and Clarity

    Welcome to another episode of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast, hosted by the Investment Banking Leaders Club. In this episode, we are joined by Aaron Schwimmer, partner at MTS Health Partners. Aaron shares his unconventional journey into investment banking, starting in a lab, moving to equity research at Goldman Sachs, and transitioning to business development at MedImmune, before finally finding his stride at Barclays, Bank of America, and MTS Health Partners. Aaron discusses how his diverse background has shaped his leadership style and approach to client management in the healthcare sector. Topics covered include leveraging unique career paths for a competitive edge, building trust within teams, navigating high-stakes healthcare transactions, and empowering junior bankers. Aaron also provides valuable advice for aspiring leaders in the investment banking industry. Tune in for exclusive insights, leadership strategies, and career growth tips straight from one of the industry's top professionals. Don't forget to join the Investment Banking Leaders Club at ibleadersclub.com for even more resources and events.00:00 Introduction to the Investment Banking Leaders Podcast00:39 Meet Aaron Schwimmer: A Unique Journey into Investment Banking01:55 Aaron's Early Career and Transition to Finance03:42 Insights from Equity Research to Business Development06:52 Leadership Lessons from MedImmune15:27 Navigating Senior Relationships and Building Influence32:30 Transitioning to MTS Health Partners34:53 Final Thoughts and Career Advice

    39 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    From Analyst to Industry Leader: Turner Bredrup on Building Trust, Teams & Top-Tier M&A Franchise

    In this week's episode of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast, hosted by The Investment Banking Leaders Club, Turner Bredrup, Senior Advisor and former Group Head of Harris Williams, shares his 35+ years of expertise in investment banking.Turner discusses his journey from working at JP Morgan to growing Harris Williams into an industry leader, emphasizing the importance of building a lasting firm culture and the distinct skills required in M&A advisory versus broader investment banking.Tune in to Episode 34 to hear Turner's insights on career progression, leadership, client trust, and the pivotal role of VPs in banking.For more exclusive insights and career resources, visit ibleadersclub.com!Connect with Turner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/turner-bredrup-212b7812/00:00 Introduction to The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast00:39 Guest Introduction: Turner Bredrup01:39 Turner's Early Career Journey04:06 Building a Healthcare and Life Sciences Group06:38 Comparing M&A Advisory and Full-Service Investment Banking11:08 The Pivotal VP Transition19:27 Building Client Trust and Relationships25:33 Maintaining a Strong Firm Culture30:15 Balancing High Performance with Humanity34:01 Final Thoughts and Recommendations#theinvestmentbankingleaderspodcast #harriswilliams #turnerbredrup #managingdirector #investmentbanking #finance #leadership

    38 min

  8. 21/07/2025

    From Traditional to Transformative: Stonehaven's David Frank on FinTech Leadership

    Welcome to Episode 33 of The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast!In this episode, host Peter interviews David Frank, the founder and CEO of Stonehaven. David discusses his entrepreneurial journey that began at age 23, navigating through the rise and fall of Robertson Stephens, and ultimately establishing one of the most innovative affiliate platforms for financial intermediaries.Learn about the transformative pivots that Stonehaven undertook, incorporating cutting-edge technology to create a collaborative ecosystem for independent financial professionals.Discover the intricacies of their tech-integrated system, the importance of community-building for success, and insightful advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in investment banking.Tune in for an episode packed with valuable insights, strategies, and leadership lessons that can fast-track your career!00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:39 Meet David Frank: Disrupting Traditional Banking01:33 David's Early Career and Entrepreneurial Beginnings04:03 Building Stonehaven: From Placement Agent to Tech Platform05:50 The Evolution of Stonehaven's Affiliate Platform09:41 Stonehaven's Tech-Driven Approach11:55 How Stonehaven Supports Affiliates24:33 Community Building at Stonehaven25:20 Unlocking Collaboration in Affiliate Platforms26:25 Hosting Events and Building Community28:31 The Transition to Independence30:38 Economic Benefits of Independence31:58 AI and Technology in Deal Making37:13 Entrepreneurial Insights and Avoiding Burnout41:19 Final Thoughts and Recommendations#AI #fintech #finance #podcast #altrum #leadership #theinvestmentbankingleaderspodcast #dealtoys #financialtombstone #awards #mentorship #networking #innovative

    46 min
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About

Unlock the secrets of investment banking success from those who’ve reached the top. The IB Leaders Podcast is built for ambitious investment bankers committed to growth, leadership, and long-term success. Whether you’re an Analyst or Associate aspiring to lead, a VP or Director making the critical shift from execution to origination, or a Managing Director seeking fresh perspectives, each episode features in-depth conversations with the industry’s most accomplished leaders. Our mission is simple: connect you with the best minds in investment banking so you can learn, grow, and lead.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Peter Nieberg - Founder, IB Leaders Club
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hosted by Peter Nieberg - Founder, IB Leaders Club
  • Show Website
    The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast

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