Follow Me: Exploring Investing

Mentor: Ben Gerig '90, chief executive

Student: Leela Gandhi

Leela Gandhi ’24 joined Ben Gerig ’90 at Northlight Capital Partners, the commercial real estate investment firm he founded in Westport, Connecticut. Gandhi, who intends to pursue a business career, worked on projects related to the firm’s existing portfolio, analyzed potential deals (including researching the market comparables for a $35 million transaction), wrote investment committee memos and observed calls with potential borrowers and investment sponsors. “There’s no substitute for a real-world transaction that’s closing,” Gerig says. “It’s the real deal.”

Gerig often met with Gandhi after calls, too. “He would explain the dynamics at play to give me insight into the thought process behind his decisions,” she says.

“A lot of learning happens through osmosis,” Gerig says. “We tried to keep her on as many calls as possible."

Probably the biggest benefit of the internship, Gandhi says, was her weekly catch-up with Gerig to discuss how the business works. “Mr. Gerig took time out of his busy schedule to teach me industry-specific concepts and share insights into the inner workings of investment opportunities,” she says. “The clubs I’m in at Exeter have allowed me to develop my passion for business and finance, but this internship provided me with an opportunity to develop real-world skills and work closely with experienced professionals.”

This story was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of The Exeter Bulletin.

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