Latest Interviews

Goldman Sachs at 150: Part 6 – Going Global (1989)

In the 1980s, Goldman Sachs strategically pivoted from a U.S.-centric firm to a global powerhouse by establishing London as its European hub and securing the British Gas privatization to link local markets with international capital. Under the leadership of John Weinberg, who demonstrated unwavering client commitment during the 1987 Black Monday crash, and successors like Bob Rubin and Stephen Friedman, the firm modernized its operations by integrating quantitative risk management and recruiting top-tier mathematical talent. This transformation, supported by a flat, collaborative culture and a focus on hiring diverse talent, established a three-pillar framework of people, culture, and strategy that defined the firm's dominance in global finance over the following three decades.

Goldman Sachs at 150: Part 5 – Takeoff (1976)

John Whitehead, John Weinberg

Since 1985, the firm has navigated six or seven orderly CEO transitions, a succession pattern John Whitehead and John Weinberg established by codifying core principles to scale from a partnership of 800 employees to a global institution of 8,000. Their 1976 co-leadership era successfully separated strategic development from client relationship management while maintaining a "white knight" reputation for defending clients against hostile takeovers. This enduring culture prioritizes long-term trust and the client-first ethic as the primary assets ensuring the organization's 150-year longevity.

Goldman Sachs at 150: Part 4 – Changing Times (1969)

Gus Levy, Sidney Weinberg, Bob Mnuchin, Bob Rubin, Steve Friedman

In the early 1960s, Gus Levy redefined Goldman Sachs by transitioning it from a conservative investment bank into a trader-led market maker capable of handling massive institutional volume. His innovative block trading strategies and a culture of relentless accessibility navigated the firm through a 1970s liquidity crisis, establishing a legacy of institutional leadership that endured beyond his 1976 death. This structural shift not only secured the firm's position as a Wall Street hub but also instilled a permanent culture of vigilance and high standards that continues to shape Goldman Sachs' operations.

Goldman Sachs at 150: Part 1 – Beginnings (1869)

Emily Beynon

Founded in 1869 by immigrant Marcus Goldman and later expanded by his son-in-law Samuel Sachs and son Henry Goldman, the firm evolved from a niche commercial paper dealer into a dominant investment bank through a unique leadership dynamic and aggressive market innovation. Pioneering critical financial practices such as the underwriting of non-utility retailers and the development of the Price-to-Earnings ratio, the partners successfully floated major companies like Sears and Macy's while navigating competition from established giants like J.P. Morgan. This strategic combination of calculated risk-taking and client-focused ingenuity transformed the organization from a basement operation into a globally influential institution that maintained its core values despite significant operational changes over the first century of its existence.

Linda Hirshman: Talks at GS Session Highlights

Linda Hirshman

Linda Hirschman's book chronicles the strategic "affectionate alliance" between Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, detailing how their collaboration secured the 14th Amendment's application to sex discrimination through cases like *United States v. Virginia*. A pivotal moment occurred in 1996 when O'Connor delegated the court's opinion in that landmark case to Ginsburg, who had previously led the litigation campaign to establish this legal precedent. Their partnership, characterized by distinct Republican and Democratic backgrounds but shared discipline, reshaped constitutional law by demonstrating that diverse judicial perspectives fundamentally alter legal reasoning and outcomes.