The Wall Street Skinny 160. Elite Boutiques vs. Bulge Bracket Investment Banks feat. Greenhill Chairman, Scott Bok
In this episode of The Wall Street Skinny, we sit down with Scott Bok, Chairman and former CEO of Greenhill & Co. and author of Surviving Wall Street: A Tale of Triumph, Tragedy and Timing. Scott shares stories from his remarkable career journey—from big law at Wachtell Lipton to investment banking at Morgan Stanley, to ultimately leading one of the most respected elite boutiques on Wall Street. We talk through the rise of the elite boutique model, the decision to go public, and why Greenhill ultimately sold to Mizuho—plus Scott’s candid take on private equity poaching, career longevity, and the myth of the “Goldman discount.”
We also dive into the mechanics of university governance, the rise of endowment taxation, and Scott’s experience as Chairman of the Board at the University of Pennsylvania during one of the most tumultuous moments in higher Ed history. He offers an insider's perspective on free speech debates, board dynamics, DEI backlash, and how elite universities are being pulled into the center of a national cultural reckoning. Scott helps unpack how these issues intersect with broader questions of institutional control, public trust, and economic influence.
Finally, Jen and Kristen cover the latest market headlines—from the Moody’s U.S. downgrade to the recent 20-year Treasury auction and what it says (or doesn’t say) about investor sentiment. We also share an exciting announcement: to celebrate crossing 300k followers, we’re hosting a FREE live Excel + financial modeling masterclass on May 29th at 12pm EST—perfect for interns, new hires, or anyone looking to sharpen their skills. Register now to join live or get access to the 48-hour replay!
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