2025 Wall Street Rising Stars Announced: Meet the Future Leaders
UPDATE: Business Insider has just unveiled its highly anticipated list of the 2025 Rising Stars of Wall Street, showcasing 25 young leaders who are already shaping the future of finance. These emerging talents, all aged 35 or younger, are making significant strides in investing, trading, and deal-making across the industry.
The annual selection process includes nominations from industry insiders like bosses and recruiters, culminating in a final review by Business Insider’s editors. This year’s inductees represent some of the hottest sectors in finance, including private credit, M&A, and high-stakes IPOs, hailing from prestigious firms like JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock.
Notably, the class features individuals who have recently navigated major market challenges and opportunities, setting the stage for what’s next in finance. For example, Jack Levendoski of JPMorgan Chase has played a pivotal role in high-profile tech transactions, such as the $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk. He describes the current market as “extremely busy,” signaling a rebound in deal-making following earlier uncertainty.
Another standout, Mary-Grace Papatheodorou from Morgan Stanley, is credited with managing some of 2025’s most significant IPOs, including those for Figma and Chime. She emphasizes the pressure of making crucial decisions that can influence stock performance, a sentiment that resonates with many in her field.
Meanwhile, Lamar Cardinez at Blue Owl Capital is transforming the landscape of sports investments, having recently worked on the $4 billion sale of the Phoenix Suns. His journey from aspiring professional athlete to investment principal highlights the diverse paths these rising stars have taken to reach their current positions.
The impact of these young professionals extends beyond financial metrics. For instance, Natalie Lamberton of GTCR, who has a background in media, is focused on leveraging AI to enhance operational efficiency across her investments. With a personal journey that includes becoming a new mother, Lamberton represents the evolving balance of career and personal life many young professionals strive to achieve.
The emphasis on infrastructure investments has also become a critical focus area, with figures like Aman Mittal at Moelis & Company leading deals valued at over $9 billion in the data center space alone. His strategic insights are vital as investors flood into sectors that support the ongoing technology boom.
As the financial landscape shifts, this new generation of talent is not just adapting but innovating. For example, Adam Theriault-Shay at Citadel is managing a rates-and-currencies trading book exceeding $1 billion, proving that youthful insight can lead to significant market influence.
The announcement of these rising stars underscores a broader trend of growth and resilience in the finance industry. With private market assets soaring from $500 billion in 2016 to $1.5 trillion in 2024, the influence of these young leaders is set to expand, shaping the future of Wall Street in profound ways.
As we watch these rising stars, their stories remind us that the future of finance is not just about numbers; it’s also about vision, adaptability, and the human connections that make this industry thrive. Keep an eye on these names as they continue to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in finance.
