UT Business Graduate Secures San Francisco Role at Investment Bank

Sarah Spivey now works as an associate in the Healthcare Services Group at Moelis & Company in San Francisco. The 2023 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business began her career in New York City as a summer analyst before returning to the firm as an investment banking analyst.

Spivey stated her career goals clearly during her time as a student in the Canfield Business Honors Program. She filmed a video for the What Starts Here campaign, telling the camera she intended to move to New York to pursue investment banking. The program provided her with direct access to professionals already working at the firms she targeted. Spivey connected with analysts at Moelis & Company before she even began the formal recruiting process. This early access allowed her to identify her specific career destination with confidence.

The educational structure of the program influenced her professional approach. Spivey credited the case-based classes for teaching her thoughtfulness that she now applies in her daily work. She also maintains a strong professional network through her fellow program participants. When she needs a second opinion or a thought partner, she frequently reaches out to other members of the Canfield Business Honors Program. Her financial support during college included the Ray Nixon Endowed Award for Excellence in Finance.

The Canfield Business Honors Program operates on a model funded by a major donation from alumni. Phil Canfield, a 1989 McCombs graduate, and his wife Mary Beth invested $20 million in the initiative. Their funds support scholarships, expand programming, and attract high-achieving students to the Austin campus. The Canfields have continued to provide scholarships specifically for out-of-state students since the initial investment.

The financial backing has driven measurable growth in the program. Applications to the Canfield Business Honors Program have more than doubled since the Canfields' donation. Enrollment has increased by more than 200 students per year. The program used matching funds to create 28 new endowed scholarships. These resources have provided students with the financial stability needed to pursue opportunities in major financial centers.

Spivey describes the impact of the program's donors as lasting in her personal and professional life. She expressed deep gratitude to Phil and Mary Beth Canfield for the support that opened doors for her career. The program continues to recruit students through the What Starts Here campaign, aiming to replicate the pathway Spivey followed from the university to a major corporate role.

The university is currently accepting inquiries regarding support for similar student initiatives. Interested parties can reach out to the development office for details on how to contribute to the program's ongoing expansion.