In this latest edition of our Intern Spotlight Q&A series, we are pleased to highlight Verger’s summer 2025 interns. We hope you enjoy learning about Ethan, Liv, Anna, and Karina, what brought them to Verger, and what they are taking away from their experiences.
Meet The Interns
Ethan is a rising junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, pursuing a double major in economics and philosophy. His interest in investing began early. For his 11th birthday, his parents encouraged him to research and select a stock, and he chose Apple, sparking a long-term interest in markets. At UCSB, he is a member of the Ascend consulting club and plays on the club soccer team. Ethan is a lifelong soccer player and Liverpool fan who also enjoys traveling, music, art, and philosophy. This summer, in addition to his internship with Verger, he also worked with Arboretum Partners, a real estate private equity group.
Liv is a rising senior at Wake Forest University majoring in accounting. Originally on the pre-med track, she shifted toward accounting after job shadowing experiences sparked her interest. On campus, Liv is a member of the Wake Forest volleyball team. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and finding ways to stay active outdoors. This fall marks the start of her final volleyball season, and following graduation she plans to pursue her MSA and CPA license.
Anna is a rising senior at Wake Forest University majoring in psychology and minoring in communications. Her prior experiences working as a marketing intern with a real estate firm, and then with Wake Forest, led her to explore the opportunity to work with Verger supporting marketing and communications. As a fourth generation Wake Forest student, Anna is a passionate Demon Deacon. She is also a member of the Tri Delta sorority and loves volunteering in her community, especially for causes that support children.
Karina, a rising junior at Wake Forest University, was first introduced to investing in high school through the Invest in Girls program. Since then, she has explored different paths in finance, including her involvement with the Wake Forest Investment Fund. She enjoys spending time outdoors and has recently hiked through several states from North Carolina. Beyond the outdoors, Karina plays the flute, crochets, bakes, and runs. She will spend the fall semester studying abroad in Australia and has plans to intern in Sales & Trading with TD Securities next summer.
Reflections from the Summer
What was your favorite project you worked on?
Liv: I really enjoyed our summer-long capstone project focused on critical mineral ETFs. My favorite part was the research process, which included meeting with managers to understand markets and their perspectives. This project pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop skills that will carry into future roles.
Karina: My favorite project was our Weekly Recap write-ups. I liked how closely tied to the markets they were and learning to use Bloomberg functions on Excel.
Anna: My favorite project was supporting the team with the preparation and production of a podcast. Verger’s CEO, Jim Dunn, was invited to be interviewed for the Dakota Live podcast, and I was able to work alongside the communications team to prepare and be part of the production process. This episode will be part of their “on the road” series, and it was recorded at Verger’s office in Winston-Salem. Seeing the whole production and being part of the recording process was such an interesting and unique experience.
How has your view of asset management changed?
Karina: While I knew asset management embraced a long-term outlook, I was surprised by just how far out the investment horizon extended: years, decades, and even generations. It was eye-opening compared to the short-term focus I was used to following during the school year.
Ethan: Speaking with managers from diverse academic and professional backgrounds showed me that there are as many investment philosophies as there are people. Each person brought a unique perspective to investing, which broadened my view and inspired me to think about what my own approach could be.
What have you learned about workplace culture that you will take to your next experience?
Liv: I’ve learned how important it is to get to know people beyond their roles. At Verger, biweekly staff meetings included fun culture-building questions that helped us connect on a personal level. That made collaboration more effective and enjoyable.
Ethan: I’ve learned the importance of integrity and kindness in fostering collaboration. At Verger, the open workspace, with no individual offices, encouraged constant discussions and diverse opinions.
Anna: I learned a lot about the value of good communication, and I appreciated that my opinion and contributions were valued. The Verger team is open to hearing feedback and new ideas, which is a great part of their culture.
Looking Ahead
Liv: I’m excited to begin my final volleyball season at Wake Forest. After the season ends, I’ll start a winter internship with PwC in Indianapolis before continuing toward my MSA and CPA.
Karina: I’ll spend the fall semester abroad at the University of New South Wales in Australia. After that, I’ll return to Wake Forest to finish my junior year before interning in Sales & Trading with TD Securities next summer.
Ethan: For the rest of the summer, I’ll continue working with Arboretum Partners before returning to UCSB this fall to continue my double major in economics and philosophy, as well as my involvement with soccer and the Ascend consulting club.
Anna: I’m excited for my senior year. As a fourth generation Wake Forest student, I’m looking forward to football season and cheering on the Deacs and enjoying my time with friends and family before graduation.
Thank you Ethan, Liv, Anna, and Karina for your many contributions!
For more information about Verger's Internship Program, including how to apply, please visit our Careers page.