Anna Byrnes

Senior Associate in Group Treasury within Financial Management, People & Engagement
Bachelor of Science (Major Physics, minor Maths) and Bachelor of Education

Anna joined the Graduate Program in 2024, having previously completed the Macquarie Summer Internship Program. She completed a double degree in Science (Major Physics, minor Maths) and Education from The University of Queensland. Anna is now a Senior Associate in the Group Treasury team within Financial Management, People & Engagement.

What made you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

My journey with Macquarie began during a summer internship in Group Treasury. Over that period, I was given numerous opportunities to develop my technical skills, gain a deeper understanding of Macquarie’s businesses, and see firsthand how Treasury supports the organisation. That experience left a lasting impression, and I knew I wanted to return, and I was fortunate to receive an offer for the Graduate Program.

What initially attracted me to Macquarie was the diversity and scale of its business activities. As a global organisation headquartered in Australia, Macquarie offers a unique environment for growth. I believed joining such a dynamic and constantly evolving company would provide a strong foundation for my career, while giving me the opportunity to challenge myself and learn.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

Early in the Graduate Program, I was assigned a project to create a Power BI report that would track and visualise trends across various funding and liquidity metrics. The goal was to provide insights into funding usage over the past 12 months.

The first step was to identify the necessary data sources and establish a live connection between Power BI and those sources. Using the raw data, I calculated key metrics and designed visuals to highlight trends and patterns.

This project was both challenging and rewarding. It deepened my understanding of liquidity and funding management at Macquarie while enhancing my technical knowledge of Power BI. By the end of the project, I had not only delivered actionable insights but also developed a stronger appreciation for how data drives decision-making across the business.

What does a typical day look like for you?

In my current role, I balance a combination of daily tasks and project-related work. My day usually starts with a check-in with my manager to share ongoing project updates and align on priorities.

My tasks often involve preparing reports and analyses using Excel, or documenting proposals for projects and transactions the team is working on. Each day is different, some are more meeting-heavy, while others allow for focused time to dive into project work.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie’s culture?

Macquarie’s culture is centred around empowering innovation from employees at all levels. I’ve been encouraged to share ideas and seek opportunities to improve processes and products. Regardless of your position within the company, your ideas will always be listened to and considered.

Another cornerstone of Macquarie’s culture is its strong commitment to risk management. Whether financial or non-financial, risks are carefully identified and managed appropriately. I’ve been empowered to take ownership of my work, balancing opportunity with responsibility.

What are some ways Macquarie supports your personal interests or hobbies?

Macquarie offers a wide range of opportunities to support employees’ personal interests, from volunteering programs to social sports teams and company-wide events. In 2024, I was member of the Macquarie Graduate Volunteer Network, this consisted of a group of new graduates organising fundraisers and volunteering events throughout the year. I also joined Macquarie teams to participate in events like the City2Surf and the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge.

In the Sydney office, there are fitness classes available to all employees, as well as networking events and information-sharing sessions. It’s great to work for an organisation that not only values professional growth but also encourages a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

How did the Graduate Program set you up for success?

One of the standout features of the Graduate Program in Group Treasury was the opportunity to rotate through three different teams before settling into a permanent position. This unique experience allowed me to explore multiple teams throughout Treasury, build a strong understanding of financial concepts, and see how different teams contribute to the bigger picture. These rotations also helped me expand my network and learn from colleagues with diverse experiences and expertise. Throughout the Program, I felt incredibly supported by my managers and teammates, who were always willing to help me learn and make the most of the time rotating through each team.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

I would encourage all incoming graduates to involve themselves in as many different tasks as possible. This will help you to understand the full function of a team and to gain experience in different types of work. This could mean contributing to large-scale projects, taking ownership of smaller initiatives, or managing some of the team’s day-to-day responsibilities. The more you immerse yourself, the faster you’ll learn and grow.

As a graduate, you’re not expected to know everything from day one, so adopt a curious mindset and don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s one of the best ways to build your understanding. Take advantage of the structured training and support offered by the Program and embrace every opportunity to learn.

Stephanie Nguyen

Senior Associate within Banking and Financial Services
Bachelor of Commerce

Stephanie joined the Graduate Program in 2024, having previously completed Macquarie’s Summer Internship Program. Stephanie completed a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from Monash University and is now a Senior Associate in the Client and Risk Analysis team within Banking and Financial Services.

What made you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

I was excited to join the Macquarie Graduate Program because of the exceptional experience I had during my internship. It gave me valuable insight into the team, the role, and Macquarie’s culture. Speaking with previous graduates also helped me understand what the program could offer, with their experiences aligning closely with my career aspirations.

Ultimately, I saw Macquarie as a place where I could continuously learn, immerse myself in a supportive culture, and build a strong foundation for my career. Culture was a key factor in my decision, and I found Macquarie naturally supported an environment that fosters collaboration, growth, and inclusivity.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on was the Quarterly Update for my national team in Client and Risk Analysis. As a new initiative, it had significant potential, and I was involved in planning the content, designing slides, presenting the update, and gathering feedback to refine future sessions.

Two highlights of the project were taking ownership of the Rewards and Recognition segment and facilitating an interview with the Head of a new team within our ecosystem. The experience allowed me to work closely with senior leaders and apply skills beyond my day-to-day responsibilities. Whilst stepping outside my comfort zone to present to a large audience and liaise with senior stakeholders was initially challenging, it was incredibly rewarding and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day starts with logging on, checking for any urgent tasks, and planning my priorities. I submit my workflow to my team leader, which often includes tasks like analysing financial statements, assessing business risk, and writing credit memos. Depending on the case, I collaborate with other teams to resolve queries and develop solutions tailored to our clients.

If I encounter challenges, my buddy and team leader are always available to offer guidance.

Beyond the technical work, I enjoy connecting with colleagues over a coffee run or during team discussions, which helps foster a strong sense of collaboration and camaraderie.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie’s culture?

The value that resonates most with me is Opportunity. At Macquarie, opportunity is built into the graduate experience. There are countless ways to get involved beyond your core responsibilities.

My managers have been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to pursue areas of interest and expand my skill set. This has allowed me to learn more about my role within the broader ecosystem, connect with colleagues across divisions, take external courses like First Aid training, and help organise both social and professional events.

What are some ways Macquarie supports your personal interests or hobbies?

Macquarie’s commitment to giving back to the community is something I deeply value. During my first year, I served as an Initiative Lead in the Graduate Volunteer Network, where I worked with like-minded colleagues to organise events that raised awareness and funds for various causes. Macquarie also provides employees with two volunteer days each year to support charities or events of their choice. This has enabled me to continue supporting causes I care about while making a meaningful impact.

How did the Graduate Program set you up for success?

Coming out of university, many people (including me) are unsure about what a job at a bank could involve. The Macquarie Graduate Program has been instrumental in shaping my career. It provided me with a broad network of colleagues across the business, offering diverse perspectives and opportunities to connect with motivated individuals.

Speaking with past and present graduates from different areas has been eye opening, giving me insight into finance roles I hadn’t previously considered such as marketing, strategy & transformation and business banking originations. This exposure has encouraged me to think about my long-term career goals and explore paths I might want to pursue in the future.

The program’s structure, combined with the network I’ve built, has given me the tools to grow both technically and professionally while shaping a clearer vision for my career.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

My advice is to stay open to new opportunities and make the most of what is available. Macquarie offers a wealth of experiences, and putting your hand up for different initiatives can help you learn, grow, and build connections.

Adopting a growth mindset is also key. Be curious, ask questions, and take the time to learn from the friendly, smart and passionate people around you. There is so much to be gained from your co-workers at Macquarie, and all it takes is a couple of questions to walk away with something new.

Farrah Li

Senior Analyst within Commodities and Global Markets
Bachelor of Data Science

Farrah Li is a Senior Analyst within the Post-Trade Data Division in Commodities and Global Markets (CGM). She joined Macquarie’s Graduate Program after earning a Bachelor's Degree in Data Science from the University of New South Wales.

What made you choose Macquarie Graduate Program?

Macquarie stood out to me as a global financial services leader and a prominent Australian institution. The Graduate Program was an easy choice because it offered an exciting opportunity to work at a company that aligns perfectly with my interests in finance, data and technology. What truly set it apart was Macquarie’s commitment to fostering growth and development, coupled with its culture of innovation and forward-thinking.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

Much of my time is spent designing and implementing technical solutions for my team’s projects, which often involves collaborating with team members to tackle complex challenges, meeting with business analysts to understand requirements, and translating business logic into actionable outputs.

Since my team operates globally, I regularly interact with stakeholders across time zones, including colleagues in Gurugram and London. The dynamic nature of our work means every day brings fresh challenges and opportunities to learn something new. It’s this constant evolution that keeps my role exciting and fulfilling.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Much of my time is spent designing and implementing technical solutions for my team’s projects, which often involves collaborating with team members to tackle complex challenges, meeting with business analysts to understand requirements, and translating business logic into actionable outputs.

Since my team operates globally, I regularly interact with stakeholders across time zones, including colleagues in Gurugram and London. The dynamic nature of our work means every day brings fresh challenges and opportunities to learn something new. It’s this constant evolution that keeps my role exciting and fulfilling.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie's culture?

I value Macquarie’s supportive environment, integrity, and accountability. I’m actively involved in Macquarie Foundation initiatives, giving back to causes I care about, including My Big Kitchen which strives to provide nutritious meals to those in need.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

Take every opportunity as a graduate to learn as much as you can and find out what kind of work is interesting for you!

Kayla Gelman

Data Engineer within Corporate Operations Group Technology
Bachelor of Data Engineering

Kayla joined Macquarie’s Graduate Program after completing her studies in Data Engineering at the University of Technology Sydney. With a strong analytical background and a passion for technology, she now works as a data engineer within Corporate Operations Group Technology.

Why did you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

I chose the Macquarie Graduate Program because of its strong reputation for fostering innovation and offering opportunities to contribute to impactful projects. As someone deeply passionate about technology, I was particularly drawn to Macquarie’s emphasis on leveraging cutting-edge and forward-thinking tech stacks.

This aligned perfectly with my desire to learn and work on projects that incorporate the latest advancements in technology. Additionally, the Program’s structured learning environment and access to a diverse network of professionals present an invaluable opportunity for me to grow both technically and personally.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

One of the most exciting projects I worked on involved collaborating with a team of engineers to develop a modern data pipeline that automates the identification and prioritisation of vulnerabilities across our systems. This project required integrating multiple data sources, such as vulnerability scanners and asset management tools, into a centralised dashboard. My role was to design and implement the ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, ensuring the data was both accurate and actionable. The project not only enhanced our team’s efficiency but also strengthened Macquarie's ability to proactively address potential threats.

What does a typical day look like for you?

A typical day for me begins with a stand-up meeting where our team discusses ongoing tasks, progress, and any blockers. After that, I dedicate a significant portion of my day to collaborating with my team on development tasks - whether it's troubleshooting bugs, brainstorming innovative solutions or bringing new features to life.

Right now, I’m working as a data engineer on a project aimed at modernising and strengthening our data pipelines for vulnerability reporting across Macquarie’s global environment. Our central Engineering and Vulnerability Management (VM) teams are my main collaborators. We work closely every day to make sure the data we produce lines up with both business needs and regulatory requirements. The project itself is global, streamlining data from all parts of Macquarie and playing a key role in group-wide risk management and compliance. We’re focused on standardising how we handle data for all kinds of assets, like endpoints, containers, servers, and more, making sure our data flows are consistent and reliable no matter where they’re used.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie's culture?

I value Macquarie’s emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and empowerment. I’m active in the Women in Tech Network, Australian Women in Security Network, and have led and judged hackathons, showcasing the many ways grads can engage beyond their roles.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

Stay curious and proactive. Learn from colleagues, seek opportunities beyond your immediate responsibilities, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Macquarie’s culture supports innovation and experimentation.

Hrant Boujikian

Business Analyst in Banking and Financial Services
Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Commerce

Hrant joined the Graduate Program in 2025, having previously completed the Macquarie Summer Internship program. He completed a double bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney in Engineering and Commerce. Hrant is now a Business Analyst for the Digital, Data, Design and Engineering (D3E) Division in Banking and Financial Services (BFS).

What made you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

My experience as a Summer Intern gave me valuable insight into what a career at Macquarie could look like. With a background in mechatronic engineering and business analytics, I was drawn to the unique opportunity to work at the intersection of finance, technology, and strategy.

Macquarie’s Graduate Program stood out for its emphasis on development opportunities, broad exposure to different areas of the business, and a supportive learning environment. It offered an ideal platform to explore various career paths while learning from experts and contributing to tech-driven projects. The collaborative culture and the chance to build a strong network across the organisation were also key factors in my decision to join.

Walk us through a project you worked on.

SuperStream is a government-mandated protocol that standardises electronic communication for superannuation transactions, ensuring secure, accurate, and efficient data exchange between funds.

As part of the Superannuation engineering team, I worked on an initiative to ensure certain manually created messages also triggered essential follow-up responses. These responses are critical for regulatory compliance and seamless fund transfers. By collaborating with stakeholders, I developed a solution that ensured the messages met the required standards. This not only improved operational efficiency and reduced manual workload but also reinforced our compliance with industry regulations.

Throughout the project, my team was incredibly supportive, providing guidance and direction that helped me learn and grow.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Problem-solving is a constant in my day-to-day work. This often involves addressing technical requests from internal stakeholders, such as members of the Operations team. These interactions help me deepen my understanding of Macquarie’s systems, databases, and platforms, and more importantly, any pain points experienced by their users.

We work in an agile environment, so daily stand-up meetings keep the team aligned and foster a strong tech-driven culture within BFS.

I also dedicate time to continuous learning through the extensive resources available, including connecting with other graduates and team members to understand more about their roles and career journeys.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie’s culture?

Macquarie empowers you to take ownership and be accountable from day one. I’ve been encouraged to step up, contribute, and drive outcomes, all with the support and trust of my team.

Ongoing growth is embedded in the experience through regular check-ins with my manager. These sessions help me review progress towards my goals, align my work with areas where I want to grow professionally, and explore opportunities across different domains.

Within BFS, there’s a strong focus on innovation, underpinned by the aspiration to be the #1 digital bank. The approach is guided by principles often associated with tech companies: customer obsession, continuous learning, adaptability, and scaling fast and smart. BFS drives its AI-first strategy both top-down through leadership vision and bottom-up through employee-led innovation. I recently completed the Google Generative AI Leader Certification supported by Macquarie BFS, which reflects this two-way approach and the culture of empowering everyone to shape Macquarie’s digital future together.

What are some ways Macquarie supports your personal interests or hobbies?

One of the things I value most about working at Macquarie is the strong encouragement to give back to the community. Whether it’s through hands-on volunteering or making dollar-matched donations to charitable causes, the opportunities to get involved are abundant. I regularly attend monthly meetups hosted by the Macquarie Group Foundation, where I learn about new initiatives and employee-led volunteering opportunities.

As an Initiative Lead in the Graduate Volunteer Network (GVN), I had the privilege of leading The Push-Up Challenge fundraiser in June. Together, we raised over $6,000 for mental health charities while encouraging a sense of wellbeing across Macquarie teams.

Macquarie also supports my passion for raising awareness and sharing lived experiences by creating space for meaningful conversations. Earlier in June, I participated in a panel for Refugee Week, where I shared part of my personal journey, including how my career at Macquarie began with an internship supported by CareerSeekers, an organisation that helps students from refugee backgrounds launch professional careers. This panel was part of a series of activities organised by the Refugee and Human Rights Community Champions.

How did the Graduate Program set you up for success?

The program is designed to give graduates both the freedom to explore and the guidance to grow. Learning happens through hands-on experience, formal training sessions, and the support of colleagues and managers.

I’ve been exposed to a wide range of business areas and ways of working, which has helped me develop not only technical and analytical skills but also a deeper understanding of how different parts of the business connect and operate.

The network I’ve built across the graduate cohort and beyond has been invaluable. It’s inspiring to work alongside motivated, curious people who are all growing and learning together.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

Stay curious - there’s always something new to learn or explore at Macquarie. Be open to change and embrace the unexpected.

In a world increasingly driven by advancements in AI, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve. Many tasks in your day-to-day work can be augmented with AI, so keep an eye out for these opportunities and use the time savings to pursue further growth.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share your perspective. Macquarie follows a flat hierarchal structure, and you’ll find that people at all levels of seniority are supportive of individual growth and development.

Finally, make the most of the resources available to you. The more proactive you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience.

Lori Zhou

Executive in Macquarie Asset Management
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law

Lori joined the Graduate Program in 2023, she completed a double bachelor’s degree from the University of New South Wales in Law and Commerce. Lori is now an Executive for the Real Assets, Agriculture team in Macquarie Asset Management (MAM).

What made you choose the Macquarie Graduate Program?

My interest in finance began during my Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Law studies, where I was also keen on building a personal investment portfolio. Through extensive research on different asset classes and financial markets, and by regularly following financial news, I developed a strong passion for finance. I knew Macquarie had a stellar reputation in the industry, but it was through university student societies that I learned about Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) specifically. I was drawn to finance but also wanted a role that made a real impact on people's lives. MAM, as a global asset manager, drives positive change through its investments, supporting essential services like transport and food. During the Graduate Program interview process, I met several people from the MAM Agriculture team who genuinely cared about helping me find the right path.

What does a typical day look like for you?

In my role with the MAM Agriculture team, which is part of the Real Assets division, I manage investments in agricultural assets to generate risk-adjusted returns for clients and develop solutions for food, climate, and biodiversity challenges. My days are varied, involving financial modelling, creating investor presentations, and collaborating with CEOs and CFOs on long-term strategies. A particularly exciting aspect of my job is visiting the farms we manage, which helps me build relationships and gain industry knowledge directly from farm managers.

What are the standout values and practices that define Macquarie's culture?

Macquarie fosters a culture of curiosity and collaboration, empowering even analysts to make meaningful contributions. The Graduate Program provides comprehensive training and regular professional development sessions, ensuring I am well-supported and constantly learning. Macquarie's global presence offers endless career possibilities, and I am excited about the dynamic opportunities ahead.

Do you have any advice for incoming graduates?

My advice to students is to stay curious and open to learning, as Macquarie values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

How I started my career in Macquarie's Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) group	Careers at Macquarie Group
Building for a better future in Tech: Teebana Balakumar's graduate experience	Helping shape the future of banking: Rachel Pahlman's graduate experience

Videos

How I started my career in Macquarie's Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) group

Careers at Macquarie Group

Building for a better future in Tech: Teebana Balakumar's graduate experience

Helping shape the future of banking: Rachel Pahlman's graduate experience