Graham Partners Teams Up with Pro Athletes in Latest Internship

Graham Partners, a Philadelphia-based private investment firm targeting technology-driven advanced manufacturing companies, is providing the opportunity for ten professional soccer players and coaches who volunteer for The SWAG soccer program to participate in a vigorous six-week private equity internship. The valuable experience away from the pitch will provide these athletes with the opportunity to establish an early foothold for future ambitions and step into the business world.

As community leaders who work with The SWAG, a no-cost, 47-week annual youth soccer program, these professional athletes serve as mentors, coaches, and role models to over 2,000 of Philadelphia’s most vulnerable youth. At The SWAG, these successful athletes demonstrate their skills on the field and share real-life experiences to inspire the young participants to follow a similar, successful path including a healthier lifestyle, education, collegiate scholarships, or potentially a professional career.

As part of their six week-long curriculum at Graham Partners, the participants will learn financial modeling private equity-style in a week-long, hand-crafted curriculum from Training The Street, the leading corporate training provider for Wall Street firms and top-tier business schools. The course is designed to serve as a foundation for future business plans applicable both inside and outside of the private equity industry. The internship program will provide interns with a strong foundational skill set, frame of mind, and business acumen moving forward. The sessions will be held for approximately two hours per day, three days a week, from Monday, November 22nd, 2021, through Monday, January 3, 2022.

The inaugural class of SWAG interns includes professional soccer athletes Auston Trusty of the Colorado Rapids; Amobi Okugo of the Austin Bold; Lamine Conte of the New York Red Bulls II; among others, all of whom serve on The SWAG Professional Athlete Advisory Council. In addition, The SWAG coaches Dom Landry, Nick Bibbs, and Ryan Griffith, will participate in the internship program.

Okugo, a defender for the Austin Bold and long-time Philadelphia Union fan-favorite, called the internship “an exciting opportunity to expand my skillset off the pitch,” and added “the opportunity to support The SWAG, while getting to learn about private equity at a firm like Graham Partners is a once in a lifetime opportunity I couldn’t pass up.” Okugo was recognized in 2020 with a place on Forbes’ annual 30 Under 30 list.

“These athletes will work with a mentor on deal sourcing and live deals, getting exposure to everyday processes in private equity, while adding our company name to their resume,” said Steve Graham, CEO of Graham Partners. “We want these individuals to gain valuable experience outside of athletics and an early foothold for future ambitions as they prepare to step into the business world.”

“These outstanding candidates have shown tremendous dedication to seeding growth in the sport of soccer, especially here in Philadelphia with The SWAG,” added Graham. “This is our way of helping them prepare for the next phase of their career and acknowledging their dedication to growing the game, serving as role models to children in our city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.”

“Companies have long spoken about the need to level the playing field; now is a time for tangible, actionable steps to give more people the opportunity to succeed,” says Scott Rostan, founder and CEO of Training The Street, who recently announced a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative. “Training The Street is thrilled to partner with Graham Partners to provide technical skills training to these professional athletes who volunteer for The SWAG and prepare them for a bright future away from the pitch.”

Training The Street has a history of partnering with organizations such as Braven, Forte, Girls Who Invest, SEO, Venture for America and with corporate clients like Graham Partners for diversity recruiting initiatives. Training The Street and Graham Partners look forward to delivering exceptional learning experiences to the next generation of diverse leaders.

About The SWAG (www.the-swag.org) 

The SWAG program is a no-cost, 47-week per year annual soccer training program for young athletes ages 4-8 in some of Philadelphia’s most neglected and underserved communities. The SWAG’s programming is centered explicitly around areas of Philadelphia where basketball and American football dominate the sports culture – North Philadelphia and West/Southwest Philadelphia.

The SWAG is laser-focused on building and supporting a soccer culture in these communities through hands-on, year-round partnership. Through community days, after-school programs, soccer clinics, and soccer-focused summer camps for neighborhood children, The SWAG brings soccer to low-income communities where children have less access to the game.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Alek Klincewicz (aklincewicz@grahampartners.net)
Tel:  (610) 408-0500