Makenzy joined the Capstone team in 2021 and has quickly become a leading advisor on policy issues in the financial services sector. She also acts as a mentor to Capstone’s PATHWAY interns and new Capstone employees. Makenzy is an avid rower and often starts her day on the Potomac River. She also loves to run and recently ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.
Makenzy started her career as an equity research analyst at an investment bank covering mortgage REITs and specialty finance companies and financial policy. Then she worked for Fannie Mae as a counterparty risk analyst primarily analyzing banks, mortgage banks, and credit unions. She studied at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, earning a B.S. in finance and entrepreneurial business with a minor in international relations.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL?
My job entails a mix of investment and policy analysis across the US financial services coverage universe with a focus on issues relating to mortgage, real estate, insurance, and US equity markets. I write ongoing research reports for Capstone’s capital markets clients about key policy developments impacting areas for investment and conduct deep-dive policy and regulatory diligence for our private equity and corporate clients to help them better understand risks and opportunities relating to an investment or business strategy. Among other things!
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN CAPSTONE?
I have always been fascinated by the intersection business and government, and understanding and exploring issues in that arena is really core to the work we get to do at Capstone. I was also excited about the opportunities that come with working at a fast-paced and rapidly growing company. I think that gives you exposure that you can’t get in more established and structured work environments.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AN AVERAGE WORKDAY?
Days can really vary depending on the types of projects we have ongoing. I typically split my time between our three key business lines, so my day typically involves a mix of capital markets research and note-writing and private equity and corporate diligence projects—with client calls, meetings with my colleagues, and interesting industry and policy events mixed in.
WHAT TOPICS HAVE YOU BEEN RESEARCHING RECENTLY?
There are a couple really interesting topics I’ve been covering recently: ongoing class action litigation against the major real estate brokerage firms over commissions rates, with key developments likely coming to a head this fall, and the FTC’s attempt to litigate and block the merger of two giant mortgage tech companies—Black Knight (BKI) and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
RESEARCH BY MAKENZY:
The Double-Edged Sword of Pandemic Mortgage Market Relief
Chopra’s Last Stand: The CFPB Will Move Forcefully on a Wide Swath of Industries
Insurance Preview 2023: Why Policymakers Will Matter More This Year
Interested in a role like Makenzy’s? See our current openings.
