7 Emerging Talents Who Conquered Wall Street With Unconventional Beginnings in Sports, Science, and Engineering

Traditionally, a career on Wall Street might be expected to start along conventional lines: securing internships at big financial institutions, pursuing academic courses in economics, and gaining early-market insights. However, Business Insider's 2025 list of Wall Street's Rising Stars features a set of professionals whose career journeys started in less traditional fields.

One aspired to be a professional footballer, another excelled in collegiate golf with ambitions to play globally across all continents. A third delved into cultural research in Sierra Leone, and yet another began in a chemistry lab only to realize the academic path wasn't quite right.

Reflecting on the remarkable individuals from this year's selection, we spotlight those whose early careers were far removed from traditional financial settings. Today, their roots in varied industries like investment banking, private equity, and hedge funds have fueled successful careers.

Below, explore the unique career changes of these seven Rising Stars, revealing how their diverse starts propelled them in leading firms like BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, and others. They are presented here in alphabetical order based on their last names.

From Sports Enthusiast to NBA Deal Specialist

Lamar Cardinez originally envisioned a career in professional football. When that dream didn't materialize, he stayed close to sports by interning at Madison Square Garden, becoming part of the Super Bowl host committee, and engaging in the NFL's diverse rotational program.

Despite potential career growth within sports, Cardinez shifted toward finance, a field he realized aligned more closely with his goals. After acquiring his MBA and gaining experience in investment banking, he joined Blue Owl's HomeCourt Partners, a venture aligned with the NBA to invest in minority-owned team stakes.

Cardinez now plays a crucial role in franchise transactions, such as the record $4 billion sale of the Phoenix Suns and a forthcoming deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.

An Anthropologist Who Became a Strategic Advisor at BlackRock

Catherine Kress began her professional journey in scholarly research, studying anthropology and psychology, followed by fieldwork in Sierra Leone. She furthered her studies into Angola's energy dynamics at Oxford before transitioning into political consultancy at Eurasia Group, helping investors account for geopolitical uncertainties.

Kress initially joined BlackRock as an advisor alongside Tom Donilon, the former US National Security Advisor. She contributed significantly to integrating geopolitical awareness into the firm's investment approaches.

This year marked a new chapter as Kress was promoted to Chief of Staff for BlackRock's CEO Larry Fink, a role she describes as a career milestone, providing significant engagement with global leaders.

Globally Raised Engineer Making Waves in Investment Banking

Jack Levendoski, experienced in cultures from Louisiana to London and beyond, began his career managing engineering projects on Chevron's offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pivoting from engineering to finance, Levendoski advanced to a leadership role at JPMorgan within the M&A sector, where he guides major technology and software deals.

Chemistry Scholar Turned Financial Innovator at Goldman Sachs

Josef Menasche, who studied chemistry and mathematics at Cambridge, initially felt out of place in the financial world. His early lab work in academics proved too slow-paced, prompting a switch to more dynamic finance roles.

Currently, Menasche serves as a Managing Director and Global Co-head at Goldman Sachs, focusing on creative solutions within private markets, spanning real estate to venture capital.

Engineering Graduate Leading the Charge in Data Center Acquisitions

Aman Mittal began with a degree in electronics and communications before joining Bain & Company's technology sector. His career then gravitated towards digital infrastructure.

Now at Moelis, Mittal has overseen transactions valuing over $25 billion, including dealings with Stream Data Centers and institutional partners like Snowhawk and Nuveen.

Math Educator and Apple Intern to Bridgewater's Macro Specialist

Nikunj Jain's educational pursuits in machine learning were complemented by teaching mathematics and engineering at Apple. His subsequent roles with the Department of Defense predated his transformation into a leading financial analyst at Bridgewater.

Graduating from UC Berkeley in record time, he pursued quantitative finance and now leads an Asia-focused research team at Bridgewater.

Division I Golf Champion Diversifying Corporate Strategies at Morgan Stanley

Jackie Shepherd's path began in Division I golf, where she led her college team and earned a full scholarship. Her entry into finance started with tax advising at EY, where she uncovered a passion for investment banking.

Choosing to redirect her career path, Shepherd assumed roles at premier institutions like Goldman Sachs before joining Morgan Stanley, where she now orchestrates significant corporate separations worth over $250 billion.