Kate Santacruz
I’m a Senior Associate at DBD Investment Bank, where I help lower middle-market, founder-led, and family-owned businesses navigate some of the most important decisions of their business—and often their lives. These moments, whether related to growth, succession, or retirement planning, can shape not only the future of the company but also the legacy for the next generation. I truly enjoy working with this demographic because it allows me to collaborate directly with accomplished CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners, guiding them through these pivotal decisions.
Over the past three years, I’ve worked across a wide range of industries, including Business Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Industrial Services. DBD’s broad mandate has given me the opportunity to work on a variety of complex and interesting deals. I lead a team of analysts managing 20–25 live transactions simultaneously, overseeing every stage of deal execution—from client onboarding and investor outreach to financial modeling, due diligence, and final structuring. My strength lies in building strong, trusted relationships with business owners and helping them make strategic decisions that drive growth and long-term success.
Before joining DBD, I gained foundational experience through internships at Nomura and Wells Fargo, contributing to investment research, financial analysis, and credit card and merchant services projects. I earned my degree in Applied Economics and Management (AEM) with a minor in Leadership from Cornell University, where I participated in the Dyson Leadership Fellows Program, Professional Development of Women, and multiple student government initiatives.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about mentorship, social impact, and fostering the dealmaking community. I lead social initiatives at DBD and serve on the Junior Board of the Coalition for the Homeless, helping raise funds and engage communities across New York City. I also serve on the Forward Committee for the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) NYC Chapter, helping shape programming and events for middle-market dealmaking professionals.
When I’m not working or volunteering, you’ll likely find me training for my first amateur boxing fight (May 2026)—a sport that keeps me disciplined, focused, and grounded—or curled up reading. I’m currently diving into The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday, which illustrates how challenges can become opportunities. The idea that “what stands in the way becomes the way” inspires me to embrace obstacles as a path to growth.
• Cornell University
• Santa Fe College
• Santa Fe College Hall of Fame
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar
• FCSAA All-Academic Team
• All-Florida Academic Team
• FCSSGA President's Award
• Dean's List
• SG Outstanding Service
• Association of Corporate Growth NYC
• Small Business Investor Alliance
• Coalition for the Homeless
What do you attribute your success to?
Faith, family, and community.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is this: once you’ve passed the initial learning curve—the first one or two years where you're building your skills and credibility—you have to advocate for yourself like your career depends on it, because it does. Ask for the opportunities you’ve earned, demand the assignments that push you, and don’t shrink or apologize for your ambition. If you don’t fight for yourself, no one else will—and if you’re not willing to fight for your own growth, why would anyone expect you to fight for your clients or your firm?
For me, this advice is a call to step fully into your power. Own your worth, take the lead, and rise boldly. When you fight for yourself, you’re not just advancing your career—you’re paving the way for others to rise too.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
1) Know Your Worth – Understand the value you bring and don’t be afraid to advocate for it. Ask for what you deserve, take credit for your contributions, and make your impact visible.
2) Build Confidence Through Preparation – Master technical skills, understand market trends, and practice communicating your insights. Confidence comes from being ready.
3) Seek Mentorship and Sponsorship – Find people who can guide you, champion your growth, and open doors. Relationships with mentors and sponsors are critical for navigating the industry.
4) Be Intentional About Networking and Community – Build meaningful connections and surround yourself with allies who support inclusion and growth. A strong network is a powerful tool.
5) Leverage Your Unique Perspective – Your experiences, insights, and perspective are strengths. Use them to add value, lead with impact, and lift others as you rise.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in finance today is the lack of women in the industry. I’ve felt this myself; learning to navigate a field where guidance and representation were scarce. As a first-generation college student, I learned early to operate independently, charting my academic and professional path without a clear roadmap. Being the only woman on my team for the first two years reinforced that independence and drive, but it also ignited a deeper commitment to create spaces of inclusion and belonging for others.
This challenge is also the greatest opportunity in our field: to trailblaze while creating new pockets of community for others like me, fostering an environment where women and underrepresented professionals can confidently grow, lead, and shape the future of finance. It’s about mentorship, building trust, and empowering others to find their voice. For me, the challenge and opportunity are inseparable, one cannot exist without the other, and together they guide how I lead, support others, and contribute to a more inclusive, thriving industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life center around intentionality, being personable, service, and paying it forward.
I try to approach everything I do with intention and purpose, making choices that reflect my priorities and align with both my short- and long-term goals. Even small progress matters, because moving deliberately, step by step, ensures that I’m advancing toward what’s truly important.
Being personable is essential to me, and I place a strong emphasis on building genuine relationships and fostering trust within my communities—whether with colleagues, clients, or peers. I don’t subscribe to competitive “mean girl” dynamics; instead, I find fulfillment in helping others succeed, celebrating their wins, and creating environments where people can thrive.
At the heart of everything I do is the desire to serve others. I embrace servant leadership, inspired by Robert K. Greenleaf’s The Servant as a Leader, which articulates that leadership roles are bestowed upon individuals based on their unique profiles. This philosophy guides me to use my skills and knowledge as a resource, mentor, and guide—focusing on how I can help others grow. Paying it forward is central to how I operate: creating opportunities, opening doors, and supporting others so that the impact of our work ripples far beyond ourselves.
True success, to me, isn’t measured solely by personal achievements. It’s measured by how we uplift others, foster community, and leave a lasting, positive mark on the people and world around us. I aim not only to trailblaze in my own journey but also to create new spaces and opportunities for others like me.