The University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School prides itself on attracting C-level executives and pairing them with students to help bridge theory and practice. One such example is Walter O’Leary, an executive-in-residence for the Business Technology Department at Miami Herbert.
An Executive in Residence is a seasoned professional who brings extensive industry experience to academic or organizational settings, offering mentorship, real-world insights, and networking opportunities to enhance learning and strategic development.
Walter has a comprehensive understanding of Wall Street, and his investment experience elevates students from the classroom to the heart of high-powered deals.
Walter's firsthand knowledge spans various business endeavors, from capital markets to assisting ultra-wealthy European and Latin American families with strategic initiatives, and aiding Miami Herbert students in their career pursuits."
“My whole premise of working with the University of Miami is to help students,” says Walter. “My role is to provide opportunities and to gain perspective on what students want to do.”
Walter’s global perspective stems from his childhood, which saw him moving every two to three years across countries like France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. His father’s senior role with Colgate-Palmolive exposed him to the dynamics of multinational business.
After earning a master’s degree in international affairs with a concentration in economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1994, Walter began his journey in the international finance arena. He worked at The Bank of New York, where he was part of a team that launched American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) globally. Walter was sometimes called upon to negotiate directly with top government officials and senior management during major privatizations.
One of the most actively traded ADRs was affiliated with Brazilian telecommunications firm Telebras, which led to Walter being recruited as one of the youngest senior vice presidents working for a specialist firm that did New York Stock Exchange work for Telebras.
Walter later enrolled in business school at the University of Chicago, which led to investment banking roles with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Walter’s global banking career took a turn when the largest Brazilian bank at the time recruited him to open its London office. Brazil was experiencing a boom in natural resources, which prompted companies to seek international capital to grow via IPOs.
Walter’s team established investment relationships throughout the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and helped place some of the largest and most successful deals to date.
In 2009, he established an external asset management firm in Zurich and worked with ultra-high-net-worth families. In 2012, Walter moved to Miami, where he started making angel investments, and would sometimes take on an operating role. In 2019, he co-founded Secberus, a cloud security company, and became its co-CEO. Today the firm is being run by one of Walter’s LP investors after he had a successful exit to a large private equity group.
“There are two tracts within venture capital,” notes Walter. “I highlight to Miami Herbert students that venture capital firms also need talent to help operate their portfolio companies, and I help students find internships that could lead to full-time job offers.”
After arriving in Miami, Walter began lecturing for Miami Herbert’s Management and Finance Departments, along with teaching a Master of Science in Finance class. He has also lectured on entrepreneurship and business technology topics.
Walter was recently featured in News@TheU, where he shared his insights during the fraud trial of Sam Bankman-Fried.
For the second consecutive year, Walter is organizing a dozen UM student and graduate volunteers who’ll be helping with the Florida Venture Capital Forum. The event offers a unique opportunity to network in one of the Southeast’s largest venture capital events, fostering networking opportunities with over 700 attendees.
“I’m also engaged with entrepreneurs in the local community,” says Walter, adding that “paying it forward is how we can make a difference.”
