Pressure in Perspective | Jimmy Dunne with Declan Kelly

Jimmy Dunne is often described as a legendary figure in the finance and sporting world. But he'd describe himself more simply—as someone who shows up, relentlessly, for the people who stood by him and the moments that define what matters.

For over a decade, he built Sandler O'Neill into one of Wall Street's most respected investment banks. On September 11th, 2001, the firm lost 66 colleagues, nearly one-third of the company, when the South Tower collapsed.

He attended every funeral. Committed to paying for every child's college education. And rebuilt the firm from the ground up, refusing to let terrorism win or fear change how he lived. 

That same resolve and grit have defined everything Jimmy does, from rebuilding his firm to fighting for the future of the game of golf while the world was watching. 

He does not see any of this as heroic. To him, it's about gratitude, loyalty, and the obligation to do right by the people who believed in you back when nobody was watching at all.

In this episode, you'll hear and see Jimmy talk about:

· Growing up in a working-class Irish family where his parents taught him to look people in the eye—never up, never down 

·  What he learned caddying at 11 years old (lying about his age to get the job) that shaped how he leads today 

· The concept of "refined desperation"—leadership with intensity but without toxicity 

· The obligation he felt to his 66 colleagues lost on 9/11 and why rebuilding the firm became about something much bigger than business

· His role in one of golf’s most challenging moments and how he fought fiercely to protect the game’s integrity and future

· How he embraced pressure at a young age and still does to this day, and how and why it matters in the world of business, and in life. 

About Consello

Consello is an Advisory and Investing Platform with offices in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Dublin, Belfast, London, Barcelona, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

Consello’s distinct advisory practices provide the complete strategic counsel today’s leaders need to grow and transform their organizations. Consello’s advisory expertise spans Corporate Advisory; M&A; Management Consulting; Talent; and Sports and Entertainment. Dedicated teams operate in each practice, led by a leadership group with deep operational experience across industries, business growth stages and market cycles and with an expansive set of global corporate relationships.

Consello’s investment business, Consello Capital, identifies high-potential mid-market companies and invests capital and expertise to transform their growth.

About Host Declan Kelly

Declan Kelly is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Consello, one of the world's most influential boutique advisory firms. A trusted advisor to dozens of CEOs leading the world's top companies, Mr. Kelly has built or run four global consulting companies over the last three decades prior to founding Consello. Mr. Kelly also served in government as US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland during the Obama administration.