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Avery Zenz

Wealth and Asset Management · Vanderbilt ’27

AveryZenz

Professional headshot of Avery Zenz

How I think

I look at businesses the way an owner would, because I have built them.

  • 4+

    alternative funds analyzed across private credit, real estate, and direct lending

  • 10+

    fund pitches and portfolio updates to an investment committee

  • 8

    equity positions managed in a firm-wide stock picking competition

  • CFA

    Institute Investment Foundations Certificate

Career

Professional experience

Avery Zenz with members of the Validus Capital team in front of the firm's sign

Inside the investment committee

Summer 2026 · Wealth Management Intern

At Validus Capital, I analyzed 4+ alternative investment funds across private credit, real estate, and direct lending, evaluating IRR, MOIC, and distribution waterfall structures to support investment committee decisions. I presented 10+ weekly fund pitches and portfolio updates, and met senior professionals at 6 asset managers and institutions.

Writing

Published work

Articles I have written for the Vanderbilt Business Review and beyond, from how private equity creates value to building a professional network.

  • Private EquityNovember 2025

    Fixer-Uppers of Finance: How Private Equity Turns Struggling Companies into Gold

    Vanderbilt Business Review

    How private equity firms buy, improve, and sell businesses, explained through a house-flipping lens, from venture capital and growth equity to leveraged buyouts and distressed investing.

    Read the article (opens in a new tab)
  • CareersOctober 2025

    Article of the Month

    Turning Connections into Careers: Mastering LinkedIn Networking

    Vanderbilt Business Review

    Why so many roles are filled through connections, and how a current profile, industry groups, and personalized outreach turn LinkedIn into real professional relationships.

    Read the article (opens in a new tab)
  • Social MediaJuly 2022

    Social Media: Where are the Youth Going?

    Two Minds Think Better Than One

    A look at how Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok shape the way younger generations communicate, learn, and spend their time.

    Read the article (opens in a new tab)

Toolkit

What I work with

Investment analysis

  • Alternative investments: private credit, real estate, direct lending
  • Fund performance: IRR, MOIC, distribution waterfalls
  • Portfolio management
  • Market and sector research
  • Equity analysis

Certifications and honors

  • CFA Institute Investment Foundations Certificate
  • Digital Marketing Certificate
  • Vanderbilt Dean’s List

Tools and languages

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Spanish (conversational)

About

Off the clock

I study Human and Organizational Development with a minor in Business at Vanderbilt University, graduating May 2027. I studied Business in Barcelona and the Business of Fashion in Paris, Florence, and Milan.

Outside the classroom, I have founded and led organizations from the ground up: the Pacific Mammal Rescue Project, a nonprofit that raised over $2,500, and the Future Entrepreneurs Club, which grew to more than 30 members. At Vanderbilt, I served as VP of PR and Marketing for the Panhellenic Council. I also started AZ Paintings, an independent art business.

Away from work, I surf, ski, and read. I was also a competitive dancer and danced on the Vanderbilt Dance Team.

  • A spread of Avery Zenz's fashion-inspired paintings, including a Vogue cover and pink bows
  • Avery Zenz tandem paragliding above a mountain town and lake
  • Avery Zenz mid-leap on stage at a dance competition