On November 27th, 2025, Matt Andersen, Chief Executive Officer of Westlake Securities and author of the Amazon-ranked book Completing the Deal, visited Franklin University Switzerland as a guest lecturer for the Managerial Finance course of Prof. David Suleiman. Speaking to students preparing to enter the world of finance, he offered a clear and practical roadmap for how young professionals can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly dynamic industry.
With more than 175 completed transactions totaling over $5.6bn, Andersen brings a practitioner’s perspective shaped by two decades in M&A, capital raising, and operational leadership within NYSE-listed companies. He began by describing the current macroeconomic environment as an encouraging moment for graduates, noting that opportunities today favor individuals who pair technical capability with strategic awareness. A central theme of his lecture was intentional career positioning. “Find something you love, but make sure it loves you back,” he told students, emphasizing that success depends on choosing the right industry and the right level of challenge. Breakthroughs, he added, often occur just after periods of discouragement, making persistence a decisive differentiator.
Andersen also underscored that finance is, at its core, a relationship-driven profession. While technical skills provide the foundation, communication, judgment, and emotional intelligence are what enable individuals to advance. Trust, reliability, and the ability to navigate relationships remain essential advantages at every career stage. He encouraged students to be mindful of the broader forces shaping their trajectories, including industry cycles, geographic trends, and macroeconomic shifts, which create headwinds and tailwinds that influence opportunity. “How you position your sail determines your destination,” he said, urging students to align their choices with areas showing real momentum.
His guidance for early-career professionals was practical and direct: develop the ability to enter a focused flow state during interviews and project work; seek multiple mentors who can offer varied perspectives; and treat doing more than expected as an investment in future opportunity rather than extra effort. Drawing on international deal experience, Andersen also highlighted the cultural, legal, and communication complexities inherent in cross-border transactions, insights that resonated strongly with Franklin’s globally diverse student body. When asked about specialization, he recommended starting as a generalist, noting that a broad foundation offers resilience across shifting market cycles and enables better-timed specialization later.
In closing, Andersen emphasized that career satisfaction grows through progress rather than perfection. Fulfillment, he said, comes from who individuals become throughout their journey, and strong personal relationships remain critical no matter how demanding the industry becomes.
Andersen’s visit demonstrated Franklin’s commitment to integrating professional expertise directly into the academic experience, offering students a grounded, strategic perspective on navigating the evolving landscape of global finance.
Written by: Denzel Louis
Date: November 27th, 2025