Geraldine Keefe (MEng 2000) is the new Chair of the University of Bristol Foundation, working to strengthen the University’s community of over 4,500 Bristol graduates in the US. She is the head of Investment Banking for the Midwest Region at Goldman Sachs. Passionate about education and music, Geraldine holds a number of board roles, including at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Old Town School of Music, and The Posse Foundation Chicago Advisory Board. Here, she shares the story of her start at Bristol and how it’s impacted her life today.
On choosing a degree subject
I’m British, but I grew up in Spain where my parents were English teachers. When it was time to attend university, I wasn’t sure where I wanted to go or what I wanted to study, so I took a very broad look at my options. I knew it needed to be analytical and that I wanted to study in the UK. I landed on aerospace engineering because I loved maths and physics, was fascinated by how planes flew, and thought it would give me a good grounding in problem solving.
I loved the UK’s practical approach to education. I chose Bristol because of its renowned aerospace engineering programme, and the mix of city and campus life. I’d never been to Bristol before arriving with my suitcase during fresher’s week so I was quite nervous about it all… but I thankfully found my way, was embraced by the university’s incredibly welcoming environment and loved it immediately.
On student life at Bristol
I have many incredible memories of my four years at Bristol, from riding my bike from Churchill Hall across the Downs in horizontal rain, to experiencing the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, and all the house parties in between. From an academic perspective, one of my favourite memories was designing, building and successfully flying a rocket. One of our aerospace professors organised a rocket competition against other universities and two friends and I thought we would give it a shot, so we formed BURT: Bristol University Rocket Team. Our rocket was the only one to make it up and down safely, and hence, because we didn’t crash, we won! We were partly funded by alumni to buy components, electronics and a parachute – so it all comes full circle!
But mostly it’s the friends that I remember, many of whom I’m still in touch with. Those friends and the education I received set me up for success.
On finding her path
I loved my degree, and would do it all again, but I knew I didn’t want to be an engineer, I just wasn’t attracted to what the day to day would look like. I wanted something more fast-paced that still involved a fair amount of analytics and working in teams. I landed on investment banking, despite not having any experience in finance… I made a bet on it, and thankfully, Goldman Sachs made a bet on me. I’ve been there for over 20 years.
I loved the work immediately; it’s strategic, fast-paced and analytical, but, ultimately, it’s about people, trust and good judgement. I’ve worked in London, San Francisco (twice) and New York, with a break for Harvard Business School. I am now in Chicago, where I have been based for the last 12 years or so. Whether helping my corporate clients buy or sell businesses, raise financing or hedge different risks, my role is centred around giving good advice, problem solving and helping my clients drive shareholder value.
On giving back
I’ve been incredibly privileged in the opportunities to which I have had access, from studying at Bristol University to building a career at Goldman Sachs. I’ve worked hard, but I couldn’t have done it alone. Many have helped me along the way, pulled me up, funded me and allowed me to pursue my passions. I owe it to those people, and to those who have not had similar opportunities, to give back and do my part in trying to make the world a better place.
On providing career opportunities for young people
I’m the daughter of two English teachers who worked incredibly hard and untold hours to provide me and my sister with an outstanding education. The year I went to university was the first year of tuition fees. It was £1,000 and even then, I barely got by. It’s so much more now. A high-quality education can have an enormous impact on career opportunities, it certainly did on my own. In the US, there is a great expression that really resonates with me: Paying it Forward. I can’t necessarily pay back the people who helped me along the way directly, so I am going to pay it forward by doing my part in helping the next generation get a great education and hopefully improve the chance they can achieve their ambitions.
On her new role as Chair of the University of Bristol Foundation in the US
The alumni network in the US can be very powerful and there is so much we can do to raise the profile of Bristol in the US. As I take on this role, I want to build on what Una Ryan (our last Chair) had already set in motion and continue to improve the connectivity of the alumni network in the US and awareness of all the incredible things the University is doing. I also believe alumni and the US Foundation can play a big role in raising funds that will allow more students to attend Bristol, improve their experience while at the University, fund world class research and make the most of an incredible, long-lasting network.
I’ve found reconnecting with the university very rewarding, not only going down memory lane, but also learning about the different initiatives the University is undertaking and the world-leading research that is underway. These days, it’s so much easier to stay connected. I’d encourage alumni in the US to get back in touch and get engaged, and for more recent graduates to stay in touch. The alumni community offers a network and relationships that last a lifetime.
For more information on the University of Bristol Foundation in the US, click here.
Image: Dave Pratt Photography.