Investing in Potential: Varadero Capital Welcomes Fifth Class of LSU Interns

BATON ROUGE - To pursue their goal of building a future in finance, three LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business and Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College students are spending the summer on Wall Street. Isabella Corso (BS in Finance '27), Harper Davis (BS in Finance '26, minor in applied statistics), and Macy McCalip (BS in Accounting '27) are completing an eight-week internship at Varadero Capital (Varadero), a leading alternative investment manager focused in specialized credit markets.

Working with Varadero's teams in commercial real estate, specialty finance, investor relations, finance, and legal/compliance, the students contribute to projects that not only add value to the firm but also help them develop essential skills such as communication, analytical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.

LSU and Varadero's relationship began decades ago in a business classroom. Founder, Managing Partner, and Chief Investment Officer Fernando Guerrero earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in finance from LSU. Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Michael Linn holds both an MBA and an MS in Finance degree from LSU.

"LSU has no shortage of smart, motivated students," said Guerrero. "This program is about giving LSU students meaningful access to the industry, not just to observe, but to contribute, learn, and grow. We're committed to creating opportunities for LSU students and showing that the path to Wall Street can begin in Baton Rouge."

This cohort marks the fifth class of LSU interns at Varadero. The initiative was developed in collaboration with LSU Department of Finance faculty members Kurtay Ogunc, Rip Reeves, and Yingmei Cheng, along with several former E. J. Ourso College deans, all of whom have worked closely with Varadero's leadership to connect education with real-world investment experience. Varadero's LSU Internship Program demonstrates the firm's ongoing commitment to supporting students by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to land meaningful full-time roles in the financial sector.

Former Varadero intern Mason Brown (BS Finance '25) leveraged his experience to secure a full-time analyst role with the firm.

"I'm incredibly grateful to have started my career at a firm that is truly committed to opening doors for students from LSU," said Brown. "The guidance and experience I gained through my internships helped me build the skills, confidence, and relationships that led to a full-time offer. I hope my experience shows other students that with hard work and persistence, the path from campus to a meaningful career in finance is within reach."

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About the LSU Department of Finance
The Department of Finance within the LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business offers high-quality curricula to undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in corporate finance, asset management, real estate, insurance, banking, financial planning, and business law. Students receive invaluable hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of global finance through innovative tools and resources such as the Securities Markets Analysis Research and Trading (SMART) Lab, a simulated trading floor where students use the latest analytics software to advise the LSU Foundation on investment strategies. 

About Varadero Capital, L.P
Varadero is an alternative investment firm focused in asset-based finance, combining fundamental and technical analysis, sophisticated structuring, and dynamic capital allocation in an effort to maximize risk-adjusted returns. The firm was founded in 2009 and has offices in New York (HQ) and London.