Anousha Bonn
I grew up in a multicultural household, spending much of my young life in Paris with a Dutch father and an Iranian mother. My family is such an important part of my life, and they are my inspiration and motivation when it comes to my career aspirations. I have always loved business and discovered a particular interest in finance during my bachelor’s degree. Thankfully, I took a chance and pursued that interest through internships and my Master in Finance at IE University. I’m fully focusing on creating a career in finance that suits me.
“I loved that the Master in Finance was so practical. We got a lot of information about the sector through our professors, who have accumulated plenty of experience over the years.”
A strategically planned career path
Anousha Bonn has fond memories of her IE Experience. Talking to her, it’s clear that she’s always thought carefully about her career path.
Before enrolling in the Master in Finance, Anousha’s experience was largely in asset management, working at the equity desk for Amundi subsidiary CPR AM. She had also gained experience in wealth management at the renowned private bank JP Morgan. But Anousha came to IE University clear in her desire to develop her knowledge of corporate finance and gain new skills such as financial modeling.
She found that the Master in Finance curriculum offered all that and more, satisfying her hunger to explore all the areas of finance she hadn’t previously been exposed to. That holistic approach was particularly evident in her classes, group assignments and the final project she chose to support this goal. Anousha also decided to pursue the Investment Banking & Private Equity specialization track. She admits that this freedom to tailor the program to her ambitions was a fun element that added more depth to her learning journey.
“IE University organizes a lot of networking events specifically targeted to those interested in finance.”
Anousha looks back positively on the practical nature of the program’s approach. She also appreciates the insight and enormous professional experience the program faculty were able to impart. The resulting takeaways—advanced technical skills and an awareness of what it takes to succeed in the financial sector—have proved critical in her career since graduating.
Anousha still remembers her outstanding classmates from the Master in Finance. “They are some of the smartest and most impressive personalities I have ever met. At the same time, some of the most fun,” she says. Studying alongside such a remarkable group of professionals motivated her to give her best throughout the program.
More importantly, these bonds have lasted well beyond graduation. She knows she can travel to any global financial capital and meet former classmates, thanks to the network she cultivated during the program.
That network comprises much more than just her cohort, as is often the case among the IE Community. Anousha regularly connects with her fellow IE Alumni, who are generous with their time despite their busy schedules. She credits these relationships—and the many networking events organized by IE University—for her early career success.
She had plenty of help from IE Talent & Careers, too. The team not only assisted with preparing her CV and cover letters, they also put her in direct contact with recruiters, employers and other key industry figures. “All in all,” she notes, “having the backing of IE University and IE Talent & Careers’ network was very helpful.”
All these elements worked together to help Anousha secure a private equity internship at Avedon Capital Partners right after graduation. She now works as a mergers and acquisitions analyst at DC Advisory: “It’s been an incredible experience!”
Anousha has seen firsthand how difficult it can be for women to enter what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. While she accepts that taking those first professional steps can be tough, she says it makes you learn a lot about yourself and how to put your best foot forward. “It builds incredible people skills and helps you understand things from different points of view. It also makes for a fun group dynamic,” she adds.
Anousha always has one eye on the future and is already looking at potential next steps to advance her finance career. She urges anybody considering the Master in Finance to make the most of the opportunities available at IE University and curate the learning journey to suit their goals. That’s exactly what she did—and her rapid career progress so far is a testament both to her own abilities and the excellence of the IE Experience.
