“At ABGSC, we’re a diverse group with different backgrounds and skills”: Interview with Investment Banking Partner Mirjam Medelli

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Mirjam Medelli and I am originally from Segeltorp, just south of Stockholm, where I grew up with my parents and two sisters. I graduated from the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE) in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business & Economics, specialising in Finance and Financial Accounting. Rights after graduation, I joined the Corporate Finance team at another Swedish investment bank and in April 2021 I made the move to the Investment Banking team at ABG Sundal Collier in Stockholm.
 
What do you do at ABGSC?
I am part of the Investment Banking team focusing on both Equity Capital Markets (“ECM”) transactions and Mergers & Acquisitions (“M&A”) in the healthcare sector. I work with interesting companies active in areas such as biotech, medtech, diagnostics, healthtech and pharma services, and I meet with a lot of investors who focus on, or are interested in, the healthcare sector. I have also been a Partner at the firm since 2023.
 
What’s your favourite thing about coming into work each day?
At the ABGSC Stockholm office, the first thing I see every morning is our fantastic breakfast buffet, the perfect way to start the day for a breakfast-lover like me. Besides that, what I like most about my job is the variety. No two days are the same, and I always have something interesting on my daily agenda, whether it is tackling a transaction-specific challenge to move the process forward in an ongoing project, or meeting new interesting companies. And of course, I value my brilliant colleagues who are not only smart and driven, but also a lot of fun to be around.
 
What does a typical day consist of for you?
In my job, no two days are the same, so I don’t really have a ‘typical’ day. Usually, my days are filled with meetings with both existing clients (to discuss live projects) and potential future clients, during which I meet with public and private healthcare companies, private equity firms, and other investors. My work also involves coordinating ongoing transactions, which could include preparing presentation materials, setting up timetables, and participating in calls with other advisors such as law firms and auditors. It’s a very dynamic environment that keeps me intellectually and socially stimulated every day.
 
What made you seek out a career in investment banking?
When I started studying at SSE, I didn’t think investment banking was for me. I had a lot of preconceived notions about what an investment banker should be like, and I didn’t see myself fitting that mould. But as I learned more about the industry, I realized there’s no single type of person who fits into investment banking. At ABGSC, we’re a diverse group with different backgrounds and skills. Our project and team-based approach means we need a mix of people who can complement and challenge each other to provide the best advice for our clients. I also discovered that the job is much more varied than I initially thought – it’s not only analytical but also very creative and social. After eight years in the industry, I’m really glad I followed my gut feeling and gave investment banking a try.
 
What do you think defines ABGSC’s culture?
The first thing that comes to mind is the people, who are our most important asset. We have a flat hierarchy and a very helpful culture, where everyone strives to excel together rather than individually. Our people are very social, open-minded, and always willing to share their knowledge, no matter which project they are working on or department they work in. I also like the fact that we are a niche player where you get to be part of important decision making from an early stage in your career.
 
Any advice for students considering finance as a career path? What about general advice for people considering a role with ABGSC?
Whether you’re considering a role at ABGSC or a career in finance in general, my advice is to talk to as many people in the industry as possible to understand the various opportunities available. Reach out to people on LinkedIn or use your existing network; I regularly take coffee chats with students to share insights about my job. There are many different career paths within finance, and the right one for you depends on your personality and preferred tasks. Some roles involve more individual work, while others are team-based; some are highly analytical, while others are more relationship-focused.
For students interested in ABGSC, I highly recommend our internships in either Investment Banking or Equity Research. Our interns get hands-on experience with the job, and we primarily recruit new junior colleagues from our internship pool.