William Di Clemente

Economics student with a global outlook and a strong drive to understand investment, private equity, and global markets. In January 2025, I founded the Waves Private Equity Association, Pepperdine University’s first student-led organization dedicated to private markets, buyouts, and valuation strategy. I started it with a clear mission—to raise Pepperdine’s student success rate and strengthen its reputation by giving students the resources, technical knowledge, and industry exposure typically found only at top finance programs. From the beginning, I committed to building a platform that develops practical, career-ready skills while fostering a culture of ambition and collaboration. Alongside my executive board, I’ve organized educational initiatives and networking events designed to help members master essential finance hard skills, including DCF modeling, underwriting analysis, and deal sourcing. We are currently developing Pepperdine’s first Private Equity Case Competition, which will allow students to present real LBO and valuation analyses reviewed by industry professionals. Through sustained outreach, we’ve successfully built partnerships with firms such as K1 Investment Management, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, and Axos Bank—each offering mentorship, recruiting insight, and exposure to the realities of private investing. I hope to leave a lasting legacy on campus by positioning Waves Private Equity Association as a hub for professional growth and an inspiration for students pursuing careers in investment, consulting, and global finance. The Association continues to grow rapidly, shaping a generation of students eager to compete at the highest level and bridge the gap between classroom theory and institutional practice. My international experience has deeply shaped how I view global business and capital flows. I’ve worked with Estée Lauder in New York, optimizing global trade compliance and multi-market supply chains, and with CAMAL Group in Beijing, driving international contract negotiations and trade expansion across Africa, Asia, and South America. I've studied abroad for a full year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, developed professional fluency in Spanish and Italian, and have since traveled to over 30 countries—with favorite experiences in Argentina, Croatia, Italy, Morocco, and Switzerland. These global experiences continue to drive my passion for investment, strategy, and understanding how international markets create and transfer value.