Published on November 16, 2025, at precisely 12:02:01.282 UTC, this exclusive feature invites Business Insider subscribers into a reflective and multifaceted look at how six of Goldman Sachs’ newly appointed managing directors are redefining the traditional expectations of financial leadership. The piece, accessible only within the Business Insider app, underscores an evolving truth: professional excellence on Wall Street no longer derives solely from financial prowess, but increasingly from personal depth, resilience, and creativity cultivated far beyond the confines of the trading floor.
The 2025 class of Goldman Sachs managing directors encapsulates this transformation vividly. Within a cohort of 638 distinguished professionals elevated to a role just below partnership, a select group of six individuals reveal how their passions—ranging from filmmaking and marathon running to military service and stand-up comedy—enrich not only their personal identities but also the quality of their leadership and decision-making at one of the world’s most influential financial institutions. Their stories together form a tapestry of unexpected lessons, demonstrating that a well-lived life outside finance can profoundly enhance insight, empathy, and agility within it.
At first glance, Wall Street is often perceived as a bastion of similarity: identical educational pedigrees, uniformly tailored suits, and the proverbial Patagonia vest. Yet, as this article demonstrates, such stereotypes obscure a deeper truth. Behind the polished credentials are individuals shaped by distinctive journeys, each adding dimension to the firm’s intellectual diversity and human resilience. Among the new managing directors are a seasoned Marine corps veteran, a dedicated philanthropist and pediatric cancer survivor, a filmmaker whose art has earned global recognition, a research analyst with a background in electrical engineering, a marathon runner dedicated to mental toughness, and a former stand-up comedian whose stage experience sharpens her communication. Collectively, their stories illuminate how diverse life experiences not only coexist with financial expertise but actively enhance it.
For instance, Michael Brill, who serves as head of capital formation for hybrid capital within the asset and wealth management division, regards philanthropy as more than a personal calling—it is an integral extension of his professional and ethical outlook. A survivor of pediatric cancer, Brill has dedicated the past twenty-five years of good health toward alleviating the burdens faced by those still in the fight. As chair of the Board of Associates at Ronald McDonald House New York, he leads a team of thirty board members responsible for fundraising, community engagement, and strategic planning. The organization, he explains, creates a holistic support network for families with children battling pediatric cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. His immersion in this charitable mission has fundamentally informed his approach to leadership. It has cultivated a strong awareness of empathy, accountability, and mentorship—all traits that he integrates daily within Goldman Sachs. “Paying forward the mentorship and opportunities I’ve received,” Brill affirms, helps him nurture others, maintain perspective under pressure, and demonstrate resilience when navigating the high demands of finance.
For newly promoted managing director Myriam Coulibaly, professional insight often arrives in rhythm with her footsteps. A competitive runner who participated in the 2022 New York City Marathon, Coulibaly finds clarity during moments of exertion. Running, she says, has taught her about discipline and self-awareness. On the road, she is reminded that mastery lies not in comparison with others but in consistent personal effort. “There will always be someone faster and someone slower,” she notes, “but the only constant you can control is how you show up.” This philosophy translates seamlessly into her work as the Americas equity research management team’s lead and global head of client engagement for equity research. Beyond the physical challenge, Coulibaly emphasizes mental endurance. She runs without music, using the solitude to cultivate mindfulness, reminding herself during strenuous miles that discomfort is impermanent—a lesson equally applicable to navigating demanding corporate days. Her practice instills patience, process orientation, and balance—qualities essential in a world defined by market volatility and high stakes.
Meanwhile, Lizzie Dove, a senior analyst covering gaming, lodging, and leisure in Goldman’s global investment research division, draws upon insights few would associate with Wall Street: the craft of comedy. Though she no longer performs, Dove once graced stand-up stages, learning how to connect with an audience through timing, sincerity, and brevity. That training, she reflects, directly enhances her professional communication. The skill of “landing a joke,” she explains, refines one’s ability to write coherent research reports that distill complex data into crisp, engaging narratives. Moreover, the confidence honed on stage translates to presentation and interpersonal effectiveness, shaping the way she engages investors and colleagues alike. What once served as a creative pastime has become a cornerstone of professional storytelling and clarity.
Equally fascinating is the story of Joe Hall, managing director and private wealth advisor in the asset and wealth management division, who merges financial acumen with cinematic artistry. Hall has written and directed multiple feature films, his first full-length project, *The Road to Galena*, garnering international acclaim. The film earned top honors at festivals in Prague and Montreal, including awards for Best Feature and Best Director. As Hall continues to develop subsequent projects, he attests that storytelling—an art often reserved for the creative industries—has sharpened his ability to convey intricate financial concepts in relatable, human terms. By consciously framing investment strategies as narratives with context, cause, and consequence, he engages clients on an emotional as well as intellectual level. Thus, cinematic storytelling becomes not an extracurricular indulgence but a vital instrument for communication and persuasion within global finance.
Jim Schneider brings a different form of interdisciplinary expertise to Goldman’s ranks. A senior semiconductor analyst with a Ph.D. in electrical engineering specializing in device manufacturing, Schneider bridges the worlds of technology and financial analysis. His academic grounding in scientific precision, paired with his appreciation for the humanities, has equipped him to navigate a landscape that increasingly demands versatility. He emphasizes the value of a balanced intellect: one that can shift perspectives fluidly—from the rigor of engineering logic to the interpretive nuance required in market research. This “context switching,” he explains, allows him to transition seamlessly between technical modeling and broader strategic thinking, ultimately leading to richer insights and greater adaptability in his role.
Finally, Bering Tsang, managing director and investment banker in Goldman Sachs’ healthcare mergers and acquisitions team, attributes his leadership style to his tenure in the United States Marine Corps. Military service, he explains, gifted him an unshakable foundation built on integrity, empathy, and resilience—core values that now anchor his approach to corporate teamwork and client relationships. The Marines also instilled in him a profound appreciation for collective strength: the importance of investing in people, forging unity under pressure, and empowering individuals to exceed their perceived limits. “The best teams,” Tsang reflects, “are composed of individuals who act as though they must carry more than their own weight. When everyone believes this, the group becomes formidable.” In this view, military training becomes not a distant memory but an enduring framework for leadership in the high-stakes environment of modern investment banking.
Together, these six narratives disrupt the conventional archetype of Wall Street success. They attest that resilience can be built on a marathon route, empathy through life-altering illness, creativity behind a camera lens, or eloquence under a spotlight. Whether through artistic expression, disciplined physical practice, scientific inquiry, or military camaraderie, these Goldman Sachs managing directors embody a broader truth: professional mastery flourishes most when informed by the full complexity of human experience. Their stories reiterate that success in finance today is not simply calculated in profit or promotion, but also in perspective, purpose, and the breadth of life lived beyond the desk.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-unique-life-experiences-hobbies-helped-goldman-managing-directors-2025-11
