Spotlight - Associate Chelsea Chen

SPOTLIGHT: Q&A with East Wind Associate Chelsea Chen

Q: What do you enjoy most about your role? I focus mostly on deal execution as an associate. One of the aspects I enjoy most is the opportunity to interact with clients and deepen my understanding of various industries. Another aspect I enjoy is the variety in my day-to-day responsibilities. One day, I might be focused on banker diligence and preparing marketing materials, while the next I’m engaging with buyers and investors. This diversity of work keeps me on my toes and allows me to develop a broad set of skills. I’m also drawn to the deal-making aspect and the learning curve that comes with managing a process. A streamlined and thoughtful process is key to success, and every stage requires careful organization and strategic thinking. From drafting marketing materials to facilitating due diligence requests, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of staying organized, always thinking ahead, and anticipating the next steps. It’s a fast-paced environment where timing is critical, and it’s rewarding to drive progress forward and keep things on track.

Q: Tell us about your background and how you got into investment banking? After graduating from the University of Toronto in 2020, I began my career at KPMG in the Toronto office as a technology risk consultant, driven by my passion for technology and providing advisory services at the time. In this role, I conducted risk assessments for technology companies publicly listed in the US. This experience helped me develop strong organizational and communication skills, while providing professional services to large corporations and gaining valuable client-facing experience. In 2021, I decided to move to the US and transition into finance. I graduated from the Master of Accounting and Fundamental Analysis program at Columbia Business School in early 2023 and spent the summer as an associate at East Wind. During my internship, I worked on several live deals, advising clients in the education and entertainment industries on M&A and capital raising transactions. I had an excellent internship experience, which ultimately led me to join the team full-time.

Associate Chelsea Chen shares insight into her investment banking career

Q: What attracted you to East Wind, and how has your experience been so far? I have been with East Wind for two years now, and the experience has been incredibly rewarding. The deal exposure I've gained and the skills I've developed have exceeded my expectations.

Q: What do you like to do outside of work? I play ping pong every weekend and have recently started participating in tournaments, which has been a fun challenge. I also love exploring different creative outlets like baking, acrylic painting, and playing my guitar. Running is another recent passion of mine as it helps me stay fit and clear my mind. On top of that, I enjoy browsing interior design ideas for inspiration to get creative with my living space, and sometimes make too many trips to Ikea.

I was attracted by the industries we work with—education, consumer, and media & entertainment. These sectors are always evolving, with new trends driven by factors such as technology, policies and consumer preferences. I’m constantly learning, and the variety of clients and challenges keeps the work engaging. I enjoy the culture here and had fun during my summer internship working with the team. On a daily basis, I have the opportunity to work closely with partners and other senior bankers who have extensive experience and industry knowledge. The firm's lean team structure has provided me with unparalleled exposure. The same team that pitches a deal is involved in every aspect of execution, which means I get hands-on experience from start to finish. This has allowed me to build stronger relationships with clients and gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire deal process.

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