YSIG Board
Leadership at YSIG reflects the drive and excellence of our members. Meet the leaders guiding our group for the 2025–2026 school year.
Executive Board
Ariel Kirman
Co-President
Year: 2026
College: Trumbull
Major: Ethics, Politics & Economics
Hometown: New York City, NY
Ariel joined YSIG in the fall of her freshman year, and she is very excited to be the co-president of YSIG this year. Last year, she was Group Head of Small Cap Investments, and she previously served as Head of Public Affairs. Outside of YSIG, she writes for the Yale Herald, works as an econ peer tutor, and volunteers as a counselor at Camp Kesem. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about YSIG or campus life in general!
William Ning
Co-President
Year: 2026
College: Morse
Major: Mathematics (Intensive)
Hometown: New York City, NY
William joined YSIG to learn more about public markets investing and meet new people. Last year, he was the group head of Natural Resources. Outside of YSIG, William is also a member of Yale's Fed Challenge team. In his free time, you can find him tinkering with his fantasy premier league team, cooking in the Morse Buttery, or photographing the New Haven scenery. Feel free to reach out to him about New York sports, natural resources, and YSIG!
Nate Mathew
Investment Manager | Co-Head of ATP
Year: 2026
College: Trumbull
Major: Computer Science & Ethics, Politics & Economics
Hometown: Schaumburg, IL
Nate joined YSIG because he loves investing and wanted to meet other people who were willing to talk about markets over dinner in the Trumbull dining hall. Prior to his role as Investment Manager and ATP Co-Head, Nate was the group head of Industrials. In his free time, Nate can be found in the percussion section of the YSO, selling for his custom t-shirt company, playing every hand at YSIG poker, or yelling at the Packers. Feel free to reach out to him about YSIG or Yale more generally!
Sophia Wang
Investment Manager
Year: 2026
College: Morse
Major: Economics
Hometown: Millburn, NJ
Sophia joined YSIG to meet interesting, passionate people and try her hand at investing. Prior to serving as Investment Manager, Sophia led the Media and Telecommunications group. She loves to talk game theory, dabble in racket sports, and test out the weekly flavors at Elena’s on Orange. Reach out anytime with questions about YSIG or Yale!
Mariam Khan
Head of Public Affairs
Year: 2028
College: Silliman
Major: History; Applied Math
Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ
Mariam joined YSIG while searching for a community of supportive peers and mentors. She has grown to love conducting financial research and analysis alongside likeminded peers. Outside of YSIG, Mariam volunteers with the Urban Debate League. She loves baking, playing pickleball, and mastering calligraphy. She’s always excited to meet new people and discuss all things Yale!
Group Heads
Daisy Garcia
Head of Consumers
Year: 2027
College: Pauli Murray
Major: Econ
Hometown: Houston, TX
Daisy is a junior in Pauli Murray from Houston. She joined YSIG in the fall of her sophomore year, and is very excited to be the head of consumers this year. Last year, she was a member of the Media and Telecoms group. Outside of YSIG, she works as a research assistant at SOM, she is a Harvest Leader, and she loves to watercolor paint and read. Please feel free to reach out to Daisy if you have any questions about YSIG or need book suggestions, or have fun ones you can give her.
Jonathan Lim
Head of Industrials
Year: 2027
College: Saybrook
Major: Economics & Mathematics; History
Hometown: Singapore
Jonathan enjoys investing, with a particular interest in boring businesses. He has found that learning to be a better investor together with like-minded peers makes the journey all the more fulfilling. Since joining YSIG, he has been involved with the Industrials, Natural Resources, and Small Cap groups.
Ana Spano
Head of Technology
Year: 2027
College: Saybrook
Major: Computer Science; Spanish
Hometown: Bay Area, CA
Ana joined YSIG to explore equity research and build her investment acumen. She previously participated in the Technology and Industrials groups and treasures the mentors and thoughtful peers she has met along the way. Outside of YSIG, Ana plays in Yale’s Marimband, where she makes sure the group’s finances are as lively as their music. In her free time, Ana loves catching up with friends, jamming to Florence + the Machine, and wandering East Rock. Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding YSIG or Yale!
Max Blacksten
Head of Small Cap & Special Situations
Year: 2027
College: Davenport
Major: Economics
Hometown: McLean, VA
Max joined YSIG to strengthen his skills in fundamental analysis and investing. Before becoming Head of Small Cap and Special Situations, he spent four semesters in that group, and two semesters covering Natural Resources. Outside of YSIG, he enjoys playing pickleball, running Yale’s Bonsai Club, and competing with the Lightweight Rowing Team. Feel free to reach out to chat about YSIG, great camping spots, or D.C. sports teams!
Daniel Heynold
Head of Media & Telecommunications
Year: 2027
College: Grace Hopper
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: London, UK
Daniel joined YSIG in his freshman year to gain more insight into investing and portfolio management. He is co-founder of the Yale Padel Club, a sport he has become passionate about. During his first year summer he had a small role on the set of Luca Guadagnino‘s film After the Hunt. Feel free to contact him regarding YSIG or anything related to Yale!
Ellie Jiang
Head of Macro
Year: 2027
College: Pierson
Major: Mathematics; Economics
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Ellie joined YSIG to meet new people and learn how to make strategic investment decisions. Throughout her time in YSIG, she has been a part of the Macro, Small Cap, Consumers, and Natural Resources subgroups. Outside of finance, Ellie is a member of the Yale Fed Challenge Team and enjoys crocheting, playing violin, skating at Ingalls Rink, and watching really bad reality TV. Feel free to reach out to her about anything, whether YSIG-related or not!
Analyst Training Program
Julia Blum
Co-Head of ATP
Year: 2027
College: Branford
Major: Cognitive Science
Hometown: Edina, MN
Julia joined YSIG to explore the reasoning behind investments after being involved in fundraising and wanting to learn how to sustainably raise capital. Everything Julia knows about investments has been taught to her by her generous and extraordinary mentors/peers in YSIG. Since joining YSIG, Julia has fallen in love with financial analysis and trying to predict a company’s future. Outside of YSIG, Julia loves to cook for friends and bake Challah. Her favorite place to be is outdoors: hiking, swimming, farming, etc. Julia is excited to meet new people, including anyone curious about the things she loves (especially YSIG!). She hopes people contact her with any questions they might have.
Senior Advisors
Edward Blunt
Senior Advisor
Year: 2026
College: Branford
Major: History; Economics
Hometown: London, UK
Edward joined YSIG to connect with fellow students who share his interest in financial markets and security analysis. In his free time, he enjoys walking in the countryside, watching historical films, and visiting new places. Recently, Edward has developed an interest in short-selling and financial market fraud, which he looks forward to exploring further this year. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about YSIG or if you’d like to chat about anything else he’s mentioned.
Daniel Zhang
Senior Advisor
Year: 2026
College: Timothy Dwight
Major: Mathematics; Statistics & Data Science
Hometown: Watchung, NJ
Daniel joined YSIG as a freshman to learn about investing and finance. In previous semesters, he was Group Head of Technology. Outside of YSIG, Daniel is involved with building out data analytics and research at Global Strategy Consulting Group and Yale Net Impact. In his free time, he enjoys exploring outdoors and discussing current events. Feel free to reach out and say hi!