In This Story
Waleed Effendi’s story isn’t one of shortcuts or easy wins—it’s a story of persistence, resourcefulness, and self-belief. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting that progress adds up, even when the finish line isn’t always in sight. And it’s proof that the climb is possible, no matter where you start.
Born in Pakistan and raised across three continents, Waleed, BS Finance '15, attended more than fifteen different schools before graduating from George Mason University. Being the new kid so often taught him how to read people, adapt quickly, and stay grounded—skills that later became an advantage in high-stakes, fast-paced professional environments.
He didn’t grow up surrounded by finance professionals or corporate role models. Instead, he was raised in a blue-collar household where college wasn’t guaranteed, and Wall Street wasn’t even on the radar. His early goals reflected his world at the time—at 15, he began working odd jobs, trying to find his footing. He was a party host at a laser tag center, a barista at Starbucks, a fitness sales rep at Sears and then Dick’s Sporting Goods, a personal trainer, and later a sales rep at T-Mobile.
Waleed’s perspective began to shift in college. At the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, a finance course sparked a deeper curiosity. He excelled to the point where Professor Steve Pilloff asked him to become a tutor, and eventually, a teaching assistant.
From there, Waleed and three close friends became laser-focused on building their futures as educated professionals. They turned Fenwick Library into a daily routine—showing up early with packed meals and gym bags, staying late into the night grinding through classes, applications, and interviews. That intensity paid off. Today, those friends are thriving: one’s a cardiologist, another owns a group of dental practices, and the third is in corporate leadership. And Waleed? He broke into investment banking.
But it wasn’t a straight shot. His first two internships were unpaid—one at a small law office, the other at a legal services nonprofit. Later, he spent full days cold-calling at a Morgan Stanley internship. When he landed his first full-time role at SunTrust Bank (now Truist Financial), he doubled down—working extra hours to learn faster and driving Uber at night to make ends meet.
That job became a launchpad. His early managers at SunTrust noticed his effort and became mentors, helping him take the next step into investment banking. What started with odd jobs and unpaid work turned into a career advising companies on multi-million-dollar deals.
Looking back, Waleed doesn’t romanticize the journey—but he values it. The late nights, the long odds, and the people who believed in him along the way made the difference.
His advice for students at Costello?
“You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room—just the most consistent. That’s what opens doors no one thought you’d walk through.”