Lionsbridge Finance Boot Camp Completes Pilot Run

Lionsbridge was anchored by a three-day, in-person workshop held from January 15–17, 2025. Returning early from winter break, participants gathered in Uris Hall for morning courses on essential financial topics: Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis & Forecasting, and Valuation. Class time featured lectures and group work focused on real world case studies. For example, students split into pairs to comparatively analyze businesses like Netflix and Disney, Coca Cola and PepsiCo, Costco and Walmart.

The course was designed and taught by Chris McGowan, who graduated from Columbia College with his BA in Pure Mathematics. Since then, Chris has gained 30 years of experience as a private equity and venture capital investor. As an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, Chris brought his 13 years of experience teaching finance classes and seminars to designing this course geared toward undergraduates who, like Chris as an undergraduate, had little to no experience in finance.

Each afternoon, the cohort visited NYC-based finance firms to see firsthand what work in the industry looks like. These site visits were hosted by alumni Giacomo Picco CC’99 of KKR, Sean Connor CC’05 of Blue Owl Capital, and Olivia Howard CC’01 of Bain Capital. At the site visits, students toured office spaces, heard directly from working professionals at various stages of their careers, built their networks, and gained a sense of each organization’s particular culture.

Key takeaways from the site visits included an emphasis on considering the people you’ll be working with and the environment you’ll be working in. Employers reminded students that since they’ll be spending a lot of time with their work colleagues, it’s important to surround yourself with people who will push you in your work and who you enjoy spending time with. Telling their personal stories of career challenges, changes, and frustrations, the alumni emphasized that it can take time, but you can find your particular niche in the field or the organization that suits you. They also encouraged students to develop their personal interests and remain curious. Bringing different perspectives to the table and demonstrating a willingness to learn can really help you stand out. Aptitude and a genuine interest in the field are, to many employers, more important qualities in a candidate than formal experience.

Employers also emphasized self-confidence and determination: resilience in the face of obstacles and working at one’s personal best are ingredients not only for career success but also personal growth. Finally, employers noted the importance of networking, telling stories that revealed how connections even in early internships or among one’s peers can become important in the long run.

Beyond the January workshop, the cohort continued to engage with each other, with CCE resources, and with their learning throughout the spring.

The cohort reflected on their experience with the program, listing major takeaways and next steps to take to advance their personal career goals, whatever they might be, in the spring. A Resume Book featuring the resumes of each participant was collected and sent to alumni. Each member of the cohort was given access to an alumni mentor to continue conversations about the realities of working in their fields of interest.

Chris returned to campus to teach three in-person follow-up classes in February, March, and April to help the students continue building their financial skills. Students were also given access to online training tools, a Lionsbridge LinkedIn group, and continued CCE support. 

All 52 students who participated in Lionsbridge reported that, after the program, they

• Developed a better understanding of the finance industry.

• Feel more comfortable networking, connecting, and engaging with employers and alumni.

• Gained insight into the culture of the organizations they visited and work environments firsthand.

• Would recommend Lionsbridge to a fellow student.

Hear students share their experiences in their own words: 

• “Many students, like myself, get caught up in the Columbia bubble and hearing the presenters made me realize that there are so many different paths one can take to success and that there are so many bumps and challenges one will continue to face. It’s about the attitude and effort you put into overcoming such obstacles that will help you move forward.” – Adriana Arteaga, CC’28

• “Growing up in Guam, opportunities to learn about private equity or financial skills were nonexistent, and I felt like I was starting from scratch. Thanks to Chris’s exceptional guidance, I gained a solid foundation in core concepts like income statements, DCFs, analyzing 10-K reports, and financial forecasting. His passion for teaching and his ability to break down complex topics made the learning process both easily digestible and exciting. […] He didn’t just teach us financial skills; he equipped us with a new mindset to think critically and approach challenges with confidence.” – Alexa Espaldon, CC’28

• “As we traveled to firms like KKR and Blue Owl Capital, hearing industry experts and Columbia graduates’ testimonies about their own personal journeys in finance made me realize that I too was capable of finding my niche and proper fit in this field.” – Andrew Puthumana, CC’28

• “Listening to [alumni’s] stories made me realize how varied career paths can be. No two journeys were the same, and that was both reassuring and motivating. It showed me that even if I’m unsure about my exact career direction now, there’s room to explore and grow over time. […] I learned that networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it’s about building meaningful connections and being curious about other people’s experiences.” – Christina Wolde, CC’28

• “I was worried that I would be far behind my peers who were hard set on careers in Finance having never even taken Principles of Econ. Much to my surprise, we were all on level ground. Chris met each and every one of us where we were and taught us truly functional accounting and analytical skills, not textbook theory.” — Keira Gutierrez, CC’28 

• “One of the most significant lessons I learned was the importance of choosing the right people to work and grow with. The specific project or job itself matters, of course—but what truly propels your career and enriches your experience is the cohort of smart, driven individuals who challenge you, teach you, and support you.” – Tanush Sawhney, CC’27

• “Analyzing financial documents was more enjoyable than I expected, but the site visits sealed the deal for me. The ambiance of each place was inspiring, but conversations with employees at KKR, Blue Owl, and Bain Capital made the industry feel approachable. I also realized how distinct firm cultures can be, even with similar goals. […] The visits, combined with Chris’s teachings, clarified the differences between private equity, credit lending, wealth management, real estate investing, and more.” – Kese Thomas, GS’27

The 2025 Lionsbridge program was a pilot workshop, and changes may be made to the structure of the program in advance of any potential future iterations. Keep an eye out in Fall 2026 for information about a possible second year of the program.