From Biology To Banking, Nicole Irvin Leads With Grit and A Desire To Give Back

Nicole Irvin, Vice President, Goldman Sachs

Alumna: Columbia Business School (MBA, 2008) and Princeton University (AB, Molecular Biology, ‘99)

Nicole Irvin’s interest in technology and science started young when she tinkered with her family’s computer and wrote rudimentary programs. After majoring in molecular biology at Princeton University, Nicole decided not to continue in science because conducting research in a lab was too solitary. She wanted to marry her technical acumen and a desire to work with people so she got a job at Accenture, where she consulted with clients to help them transform their businesses with technology.

After seven years in consulting, Nicole didn’t see a clear path to senior leadership and decided to get an MBA at Columbia Business School. The relationships she developed at Columbia were as invaluable as her studies and, as a current Forté Foundation board member, Nicole believes in the value of mentorship. Now an investment banker at Goldman Sachs, Nicole advises technology companies on strategy and capital raising activities at key points in their business life cycle. In finance, she has found her sweet spot. She is constantly learning and sees the industry evolving to attract more women, which aligns perfectly with her interest in developing the next pipeline of female leaders.

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