Last week marked a significant milestone for 95 Goldman Sachs executives as they were named partners, a coveted title within the prestigious investment bank. For these individuals, achieving partnership at Goldman Sachs represents the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. The news, delivered through personal calls, sparked celebrations that briefly paused the demanding pace of Wall Street.
Becoming a Goldman Sachs partner is more than just a promotion; it’s reaching an elite status within a firm renowned for its leadership in corporate dealmaking and trading. Partners represent less than 1% of Goldman Sachs’ 46,000-strong global workforce. The newly appointed Goldman Sachs Partners 2024 have averaged 16 years climbing the corporate ladder, a testament to their commitment and expertise.
Business Insider spoke with nine of these newly minted Goldman Sachs partners 2024 to capture their reactions and celebrations. From quiet moments of reflection to exuberant team celebrations, their stories offer a glimpse into the personal significance of this career-defining moment. Many partners described receiving the pivotal call from CEO David Solomon or President John Waldron, followed by an outpouring of congratulations from colleagues. Across Goldman Sachs offices, the atmosphere was filled with balloons, celebratory messages, and toasts, marking the arrival of the new partner class.
One trader recounted a moment of quiet contemplation in his office, while another executive shared her joyful announcement across the trading floor, igniting cheers and applause. As one new partner eloquently put it, the day felt like “a wedding and birthday wrapped up in one amazing moment.” Here, we share the experiences of nine Goldman Sachs partners 2024, detailing their memorable day of recognition. Their responses have been edited for brevity and clarity and are presented alphabetically by last name.
Rob Barlick, Region Head for Florida and Latin America Private Wealth Management
Robert Barlick
Robert Barlick, Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management Leader. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
“David called me at 8:54 a.m. My team, who are right outside my office, immediately knew what had happened. They all came in to congratulate me, and we celebrated with a dinner later that evening.” Rob Barlick recalls. “The sheer volume of messages after the announcement was incredible. Hundreds of emails, texts, and calls from colleagues, clients, alumni, and friends – it was a truly moving and joyful experience.”
Lyla Bibi, Head of US Healthcare Equity-Capital-Markets Group, Investment Banking
Lyla Bibi Goldman Sachs partner
Lyla Bibi, Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
For Lyla Bibi, receiving “the call” from John Waldron was a moment decades in the making. “Having spent most of my career at Goldman Sachs, this was a moment I had envisioned for years, yet I was still overwhelmed when it happened!”
“My husband and kids were the first to know, followed by my parents.” Despite the whirlwind of congratulations, Bibi also had her day-to-day responsibilities. “While it wasn’t solely a day of celebration, there were wonderful tributes from the healthcare team and various women’s groups, including a dinner hosted by the financing group partners. Returning home to flowers, champagne, and cards made it feel like a wedding and birthday all in one.”
Bracha Cohen, Managing Director, Engineering, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Global Head of Client Servicing and Public Portfolio Servicing
Bracha Cohen
Bracha Cohen, Goldman Sachs Asset Management Engineering Leader. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Bracha Cohen received calls from both John Waldron and Marco Argenti, Goldman Sachs’ Chief Information Officer. “When my assistant saw who had called, she immediately came to give me a hug,” Cohen shares. “My husband was the first person I called, and his unwavering belief in me has been crucial.”
Celebrations at work included “three separate events with cake and champagne – with my immediate teams, engineering managing directors in New York, and asset-and-wealth-management partners.” Cohen also highlights Goldman Sachs’ supportive culture, “The firm’s support for employees balancing family and career is incredible. I felt fully supported during my leave when I had triplets early in my career, and I was even promoted to VP in my first eligible year.” She also notes the firm’s inclusivity, “As an Orthodox Jew, my religious commitments have always been respected and accommodated.”
Matt Doherty, Head of Alternative Capital Markets, Americas
Matt Doherty Goldman Sachs partner
Matt Doherty, Head of Alternative Capital Markets, Americas, Goldman Sachs Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Matt Doherty was surprised to receive a call from David Solomon himself. “It was interesting that David called as we hadn’t interacted much before. It was a nice first conversation.”
Doherty celebrated with his team and other partners. “My team and I joined Kristin Olson, the asset-and-wealth-management partner leading our group, for drinks. Marc Nachmann also organized an event for current and new partners at 200 West, which was a great opportunity to meet the other new Goldman Sachs partners 2024.” Family celebrations followed, “While I missed seeing my kids before bedtime that day, I had a lovely dinner with my wife. The next morning, my children had made breakfast and a ‘Congrats, Dada’ card, which was incredibly sweet.” Looking ahead, Doherty reflects on the broader implications of his new role, “While my day-to-day might not drastically change, I see this as a step up in leadership, allowing me to contribute to broader firm culture and strategic evolution.”
Shane Lee, Natural-Gas Trader
Shane Lee, Goldman Sachs trader
Shane Lee, Goldman Sachs Natural-Gas Trader Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Shane Lee received his call from John Waldron early in the morning. “Though it was incredibly exciting, my overwhelming feeling was humility, almost embarrassment,” Lee admits. Out of consideration for colleagues still awaiting news, he kept his celebration low-key initially. “I stayed in my office for a few hours out of respect for others and my busy team.” He first shared the news with his wife and parents before informing his team.
“We had a low-key office celebration with lunch, and I took the team out for drinks later. Family time was a priority that evening to personally thank everyone who reached out.” Lee and his wife are planning a unique family celebration. “We decided to take formal family pictures, something we haven’t done in years. It might sound boring, but those family moments are precious, especially with kids who are harder to get time with these days!” Lee attributes his success to his team. “I believe I made partner because of my team. It’s crucial that your team wants to work for you. I focus on empathy, humility, and a healthy respect for the market.”
Vishaal Rana, Cross-Markets Consumer Retail Investment Banker
Vishaal Rana
Vishaal Rana, Goldman Sachs Cross-Markets Consumer Retail Investment Banking Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
David Solomon was also the one to deliver the news to Vishaal Rana. “The call was brief but one of the most significant of my career. It felt surreal and honestly hasn’t fully sunk in yet.” His first call was to his wife. “My wife was right there with me, and her support has been indispensable throughout this journey.”
Rana opted for a quiet celebration at home. “We had a low-key dinner at home with my family, and my wife and I shared a toast. I even did the dishes afterward!” A larger celebration might be planned later. “We might have a bigger celebration with family and friends eventually, but no concrete plans yet. Maybe it’s superstitious, but planning too early felt like tempting fate.” Rana reflects on what led to this achievement, “Becoming a partner represents years of persistence, adaptability, prioritizing the firm’s best interests, and the flexibility to work with everyone from startup founders to large-cap company boards.”
Aaron Siegel, Global Head of Entertainment Investment Banking
Aaron Siegel Goldman Sachs partner
Aaron Siegel, Goldman Sachs Global Head of Entertainment Investment Banking Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Aaron Siegel’s Goldman Sachs journey began 20 years ago, shortly after meeting his wife. “I joined Goldman Sachs just days after meeting my wife, Hayley, while moving to New York City. John Waldron was the first person I met at 85 Broad Street – receiving the partnership call from him felt like a meaningful full-circle moment.” He immediately shared the news with his wife. “I called Hayley right after to share the moment and reflect on the many colleagues, mentors, and clients who have become like family.”
The timing of the call was also significant. “I was heading into a meeting with the Arthur Miller Foundation, a fantastic nonprofit supporting theater teachers, when John called. The day became a reflection on the impact of great teachers and mentors, and I had the chance to thank many of mine.” Family celebration was a priority. “I celebrated with my wife and two sons, even letting my youngest stay up late so we could all be together.”
Craig Smart, Healthcare Banker Covering Healthcare Services and Technology Companies
Craig Smart Goldman Sachs partnerCraig Smart. Goldman Sachs via BI
Craig Smart, Goldman Sachs Healthcare Banking Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Craig Smart received his life-changing call during his commute. “I was on the subway after dropping my daughter at school when my phone rang. I had a feeling about the call, so I quickly got off the train to answer.” The conversation with John Waldron was initially nerve-wracking but quickly turned joyous. “There was definitely nervousness at the beginning of the call, which transformed into pure excitement once he delivered the news.”
Processing the news took his entire commute. “I used the rest of my commute to let the magnitude of the moment sink in. As soon as I was above ground, I called my wife, Kristin. It was the pinnacle of my career.” The office atmosphere was electric. “The energy at the office was palpable. The day was filled with congratulations from partners and colleagues across the firm. Marshall Smith, global head of healthcare, organized a celebration for the healthcare team, toasting each of the seven new partners from our group.” Family dinner concluded the day. “After work, we had an early dinner with my wife and daughters. It was a school night, so we kept it short, but we plan a proper celebration with family and friends during the holidays.”
Sylvia Yeh, Co-Head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Municipal Fixed-Income Business
Sylvia Yeh Goldman Sachs partner
Sylvia Yeh, Co-Head of Municipal Fixed-Income Business, Goldman Sachs Asset Management Partner. Image courtesy of Goldman Sachs via Business Insider.
Sylvia Yeh described the anticipation on her trading floor. “My team and I are on an open trading floor, and we’re known for being lively. But on that Thursday morning, you could hear a pin drop. We were all waiting for the call.” The call finally came around 9:40 a.m. “Around 9:40 a.m., our turrets lit up – it was John Waldron! My heart stopped, and 25 years at Goldman Sachs flashed before my eyes. I had to shake it off before answering.”
The conversation started with humor. “John greeted me, and after the pleasantries, I joked if he was calling to open a muni account. We laughed, and then he welcomed me to the partnership.” Celebration erupted immediately. “As soon as the call ended, I did a quick happy dance, turned around, and shouted, ‘We did it, team! We did it!’ This was truly a team achievement.” The day was a blur of celebration. “The rest of the day was a blur of applause, cheers, confetti, balloons, and hugs. Asset-and-wealth management hosted a new partner reception, and my husband surprised me with an evening celebration with my team.” For Yeh, sharing the moment with her team was paramount. “The only way to truly celebrate this achievement was with the people who made it possible: my team.”
Conclusion
The stories of the Goldman Sachs partners 2024 reveal the deeply personal and professional significance of this achievement. From the initial calls from leadership to the celebrations with teams and families, the day was a powerful recognition of years of dedication, expertise, and teamwork. These new partners, representing diverse divisions across Goldman Sachs, are poised to shape the future of the firm and Wall Street, carrying with them the weight and honor of this prestigious title. Their journeys to partnership serve as an inspiration within Goldman Sachs and across the financial industry, highlighting the pinnacle of success achievable through commitment and excellence.
