What led you to a career in the deal-making industry?
In interviewing for a job as a college senior, the people I met at Credit Suisse were the most interesting, smart, accomplished people I had encountered. I liked the combination of using analytical skills in a creative way to make a real impact for clients and companies.
How does diversity add value in the deal-making process?
A senior woman in investment banking is rare. Clients appreciate a holistic approach to doing business with them. As a woman, I genuinely care about my clients personally and professionally – and these relationships tend to be very close versus my male peers.
The most memorable deal I worked on....
Taking Dean Foods (subsequently White Wave and Tree House) public a second time and advising on all financings and M&A related transactions. There wasn’t enough interest the first time we tried the IPO. The CEO hired us a second time and we got the IPO done, and subsequently, I worked with the CEO and the team to create over $10 billion in value for the shareholders.
Advice for achieving success in the industry....
For me tenacity – never give up and put a lot of hooks in the water; and showing my personality and femininity instead of acting like a traditional buttoned up banker has been keys to success.
Profile:
Julie has more than 25 years of experience advising companies on M&A, equity, and debt capital market transactions across all industries. She joined Houlihan Lokey in March 2009 to expand its client coverage through her broad and deep relationships with CEOs and business leaders. Before joining the firm, she was a Founder, Managing Director, and Head of Southwest Investment Banking for Citigroup Global Markets. From 1997 to 2000, she was a Managing Director with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette’s; and from 1989 to 1997, a Senior Managing Director at Bear Stearns & Co. She began her career at Credit Suisse Group in New York. Julie is a member of Women Corporate Directors (WCD), an organization of women who serve on public company boards.
Location: Houlihan Lokey, Dallas, Texas, United States.
Education: Master of Business Administration, Stanford Graduate School of Business; B.A. from Princeton University.
