Private Equity Fast Pitch Advice to Young Professionals and College Students from Female Private Equity Professionals
Mar 12, 2026
Caroline Stevens, investor at MPK Equity Partners, urges taking stretch roles to build resilience. Neha Markle, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, pushes for early reps and strong training grounds. Shannon Zoller, founder of Tephra Advisors, emphasizes professionalism, reputation protection, and choosing reliable partners. They discuss career growth strategies, skill-building, and reputation management in short, practical advice.
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A Mentor Told Her Your Career Is Yours
- Own your career and actively seek mentors and relationships.
- Debra Smith recalls a Morgan Stanley mentor telling her, your career is yours and he would help, which taught responsibility for seeking guidance.
Bring Your Authentic Self To The Table
- Be authentic rather than blending in to fit norms; authenticity sustains passion and builds real relationships.
- Devon Kirk says authenticity helped her connect with colleagues and portfolio teams despite being an early minority on her team.
Use Curiosity To Turn Unlikely Paths Into PE Careers
- Stay curious and embrace continuous learning to succeed in private equity.
- Frannie Jones describes moving from art history into PE and credits persistent curiosity for enabling cross-sector transitions and growth.