Leadership

Pillars of Wall Street was co-founded by Matthew Holaves and Aalok Mody, who have worked together as investment bankers and financial trainers for several years. They have executed numerous M&A and financing transactions and led financial training programs across the globe.

Matthew Holaves

Matthew Holaves has extensive experience leading financial training courses throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. As a former investment banker, MBA and classically trained pianist, Matthew can relate to the diverse background of the participants found in financial training programs and has a passion for helping all participants take their skills to the next level.

Matthew gained his finance experience as a Vice President with Jefferies’ M&A group and as an Associate with Bank of America’s TMT investment banking group. He has completed M&A and financing transactions across several industry verticals including healthcare, consumer, industrials, telecom and technology. Prior to his investment banking career, he was a Manager with Arthur Andersen’s Transaction Advisory Group where he advised private equity groups, strategic buyers and commercial lenders throughout the United States and Europe. At Arthur Andersen, he was also the recipient of the Sequoia Award for Mentoring and Leadership.

Matthew earned his MBA in finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and dual Bachelor degrees in accounting and music from Northern Illinois University. He has also passed the Uniform CPA exam. In his free time, Matthew enjoys running, weight training and travel. He is also an avid tennis fan as well as a fine arts enthusiast.

Aalok Mody

Aalok Mody is an experienced financial instructor who has led financial training courses for thousands of analysts and associates throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. Aalok brings unparalleled enthusiasm, dedication and real-world experience to the classroom having worked both as an Analyst and Associate prior to his teaching career.

Aalok obtained his financial skill set as an investment banker while at Jefferies and Thomas Weisel Partners. As a Senior Associate within the M&A group at Jefferies, he executed numerous buy-side and sell-side mandates across the healthcare, industrials, technology and consumer industry verticals and frequently provided fairness opinions in connection therewith. Prior to Jefferies, Aalok was a technology investment banker with Thomas Weisel Partners where he provided financing and M&A advisory services to his clients.

Aalok obtained his B.S. in Engineering and Management from Columbia University. In his spare time, Aalok is a frequent traveler with recent trips to South America, Africa and Asia. As a certified Black Belt under Taekwon-Do International currently pursuing his 2nd Degree, and a former competitive tennis player, Aalok often can be found pursuing his health and fitness goals.