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| Sara Naison-Tarajano, Goldman Sachs' global head of private wealth management capital markets and the firm's Apex family office business. Goldman Sachs |
Sara Naison-Tarajano knows what it means to fight for a seat at the table — or, in her case, a spot on the basketball court. Decades before she became a partner at Goldman Sachs, she was an 11-year-old girl in Brooklyn almost kicked off her youth basketball team simply for being the only girl.
Her team had just won the city championship when an opposing coach declared he didn’t think she should be allowed to play. The league considered barring her, and newspapers like The New York Times picked up the story. Even Sesame Street featured it.
What could have been a crushing moment turned into a defining lesson. Supported by teammates who refused to play without her, Naison-Tarajano discovered both resilience and the importance of allies — qualities that would later shape her two-decade career in finance.
A Childhood of Sports and Lessons in Grit
Encouraged by her father, Naison-Tarajano threw herself into sports early, playing both tennis and basketball. Being smaller than the boys didn’t stop her; instead, she doubled down on defense, hustle, and consistency.
“Even though I wasn’t the highest scorer, I was a starter because I never gave up,” she recalled. That drive helped her stand out on the court and, eventually, in the workplace.
When basketball gave way to tennis, she excelled even further, earning a spot at Yale and later becoming captain of the women’s team. One summer, while training, a bond trader suggested she had the perfect personality for Wall Street. She listened.
Building a Career at Goldman Sachs
In 1999, Naison-Tarajano joined Goldman Sachs as an investment banking analyst. Over 26 years, she’s built a career across investment banking, derivatives, and private wealth management. Today, she serves as global head of private wealth management capital markets, advising ultrawealthy clients and leading Goldman Sachs Apex, the firm’s platform for family offices.
She credits her sports background for giving her the mental toughness to thrive. “You learn how to deal with losing, how to keep perspective, and how to perform under stress,” she said.
Keys to Success: Confidence, Curiosity, and a Growth Mindset
For Naison-Tarajano, the lessons of her youth remain central: focus on what you can control, put in the work, and embrace discomfort.
“Some of the best moments in my career happened when I stepped outside my comfort zone,” she said. “Always operate with a growth mindset by being open to feedback, asking questions, and seeking guidance.”
Her story is a reminder that resilience, discipline, and support systems — whether from teammates or colleagues — can change the trajectory of a career. From being the lone girl on a basketball team to one of Goldman’s most senior women, Naison-Tarajano has turned early lessons of grit into a lifelong playbook for success.
