Our people
The Macquarie Sports Scholarship offers elite student-athletes a unique opportunity to build confidence, capability and connection as they prepare for life beyond competition. Through a paid summer internship within one of Macquarie’s business groups, scholars gain exposure to real corporate environments, contribute to meaningful projects, and develop career‑ready skills that complement the discipline and resilience honed through sport. Scholars also have the opportunity to contribute to Macquarie Sports charitable programs within the community.
David is currently studying a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology Sydney. He is also a national level 800 metre athlete, training year-round to compete in the Australian National Championships.
David (left) competing in the mile at the Burnie Gift footrace, Tasmania (December 2024).
I enjoy athletics immensely, not solely because of the physical challenge that it presents, but also the mental barriers that I get to push through to better myself every day. Athletics is rewarding as it’s a sport that is built on hard work and consistency rather than talent. This means that anyone with the right amount of discipline, organisation and commitment can excel in the sport. While it’s an individual sport, I thrive in the challenging yet supportive team environment of my training squad.
The Macquarie Sports Scholarship stood out because it acknowledges that the skills honed through elite sport, such as discipline, time management and perseverance, are directly transferable to a corporate environment and are valued in addition to my resume. It offers a unique platform to merge my athletic dedication with my professional aspirations, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to Macquarie while pursuing my goals on the track.
I joined the Banking and Financial Services (BFS) Legal and Regulatory Risk team. This team plays a governance role within BFS and supports the business to meet our legal and regulatory obligations. It is a diverse and fast-paced area, with no two days being the same. During my internship, I was focused on initiatives that supported customers experiencing vulnerability.
This internship has been incredibly valuable in two main ways. Firstly, it has given me tangible insight into the finance industry, helping me understand the variety of career paths available and clarifying my own professional goals. Secondly, I have been able to build a strong professional network by connecting with colleagues across the business, creating a sense of community that will be a great asset as I launch my career.
Kristen studied a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Business Law) at The University of Sydney. She is an 800 metre and 1500 metre athlete, competing across State and National level competitions, including the Australian Athletics Championships.
Kristen competing in the 4 x 800 metre at the State Relay Championships 2025.
My passion for sport and athletics began at the age of six on the grass tracks of my local Little Athletics club, and over the past decade I have competed across Australia in middle- and long-distance events. Running has enabled me to build lasting connections with teammates and become part of a community grounded in genuine camaraderie and shared purpose. I value the continuous process of setting ambitious goals, committing to rigorous preparation, overcoming challenges, and celebrating success with teammates. Above all, running has shaped my identity and broadened my perspective on achievement.
The Macquarie Sports Scholarship program represents an opportunity to align the discipline, resilience and commitment I've developed through athletics with my professional aspirations. I was drawn to the program's emphasis on excellence and its integration of athletic values into a corporate environment, and I'm grateful to be supported by Macquarie to keep pursuing my passion for sport. The internship has offered a platform to gain exposure to complex business operations, build technical capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to a high-performing organisation. Equally, I value the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with professionals who share a commitment to continuous improvement and performance.
I joined Financial Management, People and Engagement (FPE) in the Finance & Tax - Audit Governance team, that supports Macquarie’s external audit governance framework. This includes oversight of auditor independence matters, supplier governance processes, and the preparation of reports and governance materials for the Board Audit Committee (BAC). The team plays an important role in supporting Macquarie’s broader risk and compliance management by ensuring that external audit arrangements meet regulatory, governance, and independence requirements. This includes maintaining Macquarie’s audit and assurance independence policies, monitoring global regulatory developments that may affect audit and assurance processes, and ensuring that audit-related governance practices remain aligned with Macquarie’s risk management standards and compliance obligations. Through these activities, the team helps reinforce the integrity, reliability and oversight of Macquarie’s financial reporting and assurance environment.
Throughout my first month at Macquarie, I have felt supported by my team in developing a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s operations and the critical role of audit governance in managing risk and compliance. Learning from experienced colleagues has been highly rewarding, providing practical insight into the technical aspects of audit governance and how Macquarie's various functions operate and intersect. The experience has sharpened my communication and research skills, and I have formed lasting friendships within a diverse intern cohort.
Julen is currently studying a Bachelor of Economics, majoring in Finance at the University of Technology, Sydney. He plays football at a semi-professional level in the National Premier League and has played at club level in Spain.
Julen on the football pitch competing in a league match in the National Premier League.
I have played football my entire life and I am extremely passionate about it. Being on the pitch gives me a sense of freedom and I enjoy working in a team where everyone to brings their own strengths and works together toward the same goal. I am proud to play at a level where I’m often one of the youngest; keeping me grounded and allowing me to learn from more experienced players. Competing alongside and against others who have played for their country is very motivating and pushes me to keep improving.
The ability to work while continuing to play the sport I love was a key reason I applied. The scholarship offered flexibility for training, and having a manager who supports my schedule made it a great fit.
I complete work at Macquarie with the same skills I apply to teamwork in football, such as collaboration, clear communication, trust and everyone understanding their role. Additionally, being able to adapt quickly to make the right decision on the pitch is something that transfers to everyday, especially being in a market-facing role.
I’ve joined Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) in the Fixed Income & Currencies (FIC) team, which provides currencies and fixed income trading and hedging services to a wide range of global corporate and institutional clients. It is a diverse and fast-moving area, and I am learning a lot about how FIC’s offerings support client needs.
I have learned a lot in a short time and have been trusted with real responsibility. Applying what I have learned from my manager and colleagues has been rewarding, and I continue to build my skills every day. This experience is unique because it offers exposure to fast-paced markets and the opportunity to use varied financial products, which is very different from previous roles I have been in. My focus is to deepen my understanding of how the market reacts to evolving stories, while developing technical skills in trading and risk management.
Casper is currently studying a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and Computer Science at the University of New South Wales. He is a triathlete and a runner, participating in competitions around Australia, as well as in National and Continental Championships.
Caspar competing in the Oceania Sprint Triathlon Championships 2025, Mooloolaba.
There are many things to love about triathlon, but the reason I continue to love it is the variety in both training and competitions. For triathlon, no two races are the same, they will have different courses, distances, weather conditions, competitors, and three different disciplines to focus on. I was proud to represent Australia at the World Multisport Championships in 2025 and am motivated to continue improving and competing around the world.
The Macquarie Sports Scholarship allows me to get real work experience, whilst still training and competing, which is a rare opportunity for athletes. My sporting experience has developed my discipline and resilience, which helps me complete my work and handle pressure with consistency. It has taught me the importance of collaboration, how to learn not just from what is in front of you, but from the team around you.
I have joined Macquarie Asset Management (MAM), working in the Fixed Income team. MAM is a global asset manager that invests across the public and private markets to deliver outcomes for clients. My team works in public markets, investing in bonds and credit to create reliable returns which provide stability in investment portfolios. The Fixed Income team has research, clients, and markets and quant teams, who work closely with the investment professionals to turn market insights into informed trades.
This internship has allowed me to learn more about the financial industry, especially the bond market. I have been able to trial the workplace and see many of the opportunities available in future. This sports scholarship has offered me the flexibility to balance my life and work in the finance industry. As I progress through my internship, I am excited to continue learning and developing connections with my team and across Macquarie.
