Making partner at Goldman Sachs is basically the Wall Street equivalent of being knighted. But without the cool swords. It’s the most prestigious, and lucrative, title in global finance. In late 2024, David Solomon and the bank's leadership finally pulled the curtain back on the latest biennial cohort.
The Goldman Sachs partners 2024 announcement arrived during a weird time for the firm. After years of trying to be a "tech company" with its Marcus consumer brand—and that experiment mostly going sideways—the bank has pivotally retreated back to what it does best. Trading and advisory. This year’s list of 95 new partners is a loud, clear signal that the "old" Goldman is back in the driver's seat.
It's a small group. Seriously. Out of over 45,000 employees, only 95 made the cut. When you do the math, that’s about 0.2% of the workforce. You have a better chance of getting struck by lightning while holding a winning lottery ticket. Okay, maybe not that rare, but it's the most exclusive club in the ZIP code.
The Strategy Behind the 95
The number 95 is actually quite significant. It’s the largest class since 2010. Why? Because the bank is bleeding talent to private equity firms and hedge funds like Millennium and Citadel. Solomon needed to show the youngsters—and the veterans—that there is still a "pot of gold" at the end of the 200 West Street rainbow.
They also shifted the demographics. This wasn't just a room full of guys named Chad from Ivy League schools. Goldman reported that the 2024 class was 24% women, 17% Asian, 4% Black, and 7% Hispanic/Latinx. While those numbers might still seem low to outsiders, in the hyper-competitive, often stagnant world of investment banking, it represents a slow but steady turn of the tanker.
The core of the list? Revenue generators. If you aren't moving markets or closing massive M&A deals, you aren't getting the call.
Who Actually Made the Cut?
The list isn't just a PDF on an internal server; it's a map of where Goldman thinks the money will be for the next decade. Roughly 40% of the new partners come from the Banking & Markets division. These are the folks who live on coffee and adrenaline, navigating the chaos of the IPO market and high-stakes trading.
Take a look at some of the standouts. You have people like Vipul Juneja, who has been a massive force in the credit space. Or Elizabeth Reed, who has navigated the incredibly complex world of global markets. They aren't just "bankers." They are specialists in a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented by AI, geopolitical tension, and shifting interest rates.
Interestingly, the firm also promoted more people in the Asset and Wealth Management (AWM) space. This is intentional. Trading revenue is volatile. It’s like a rollercoaster. But managing money for the ultra-wealthy? That’s steady. It’s the "annuity" of the banking world. By promoting folks in AWM, Goldman is telling shareholders they want more predictable earnings.
The Mechanics of the Call
Making partner isn't a surprise party. It’s a grueling, months-long "cross-ruffing" process. Partners from different divisions interview each other about the candidates. They ask the hard questions: Is this person "Goldman" enough? Do they collaborate? Or are they a "lone wolf" who happens to make a lot of money?
On the day of the announcement, David Solomon and John Waldron personally call the new partners. It’s a life-changing phone call. Your base salary jumps. You get a piece of the "partner pool"—a massive bonus structure that can reach deep into the seven or eight figures depending on the firm's performance.
But it’s also a "up or out" culture. Being a partner isn't a lifetime appointment. If you stop performing, you’re encouraged to "retire." Or as they say in the hallways, you "become a client."
Why This Matters to You (Even If You Don't Work on Wall Street)
You might be thinking, "Cool, some rich people got richer. Why do I care?"
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Honestly, the Goldman Sachs partners 2024 list is a leading indicator for the global economy. When Goldman promotes a ton of M&A specialists, it means they expect a massive wave of mergers and acquisitions in 2025 and 2026. They are betting on a busier market. They are betting on companies buying each other.
It also reflects the "War for Talent." If Goldman is expanding its partner pool, it means they are scared of losing their best people to private credit. Firms like Apollo, Blackstone, and HPS are eating the banks' lunch right now. By minted more partners, Goldman is trying to build a fortress around its top earners.
The Reality of the Perks
Let's talk about the money. Because that's what everyone wants to know.
Partners get access to internal investment funds that are closed to the public. They get to invest their own money alongside the firm's money in some of the most lucrative private equity and real estate deals on the planet. This is where the real wealth is built. It’s not just the salary; it’s the access.
They also get the "Partner Suite" perks—better benefits, more influence over the firm's direction, and of course, the prestige. In many circles, being a "GS Partner" carries more weight than being a CEO of a mid-cap company.
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A Culture in Transition
Solomon has had a rocky few years. Between his DJing hobby (which he's since dialed back) and the internal grumbling about his management style, the 2024 partner class was a chance to reset the narrative. He's leaning into a more traditional, "hard-nosed" banking culture.
The 2024 class is less about "innovation" and more about "execution."
You won't find many people from the failed consumer banking wing on this list. Instead, you'll find the specialists who can navigate a 5% interest rate environment. The people who understand how to hedge against a volatile yen or how to take a tech unicorn public when the market is skeptical.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think getting to this level is just about working 100-hour weeks. That’s just the entry fee. To make the Goldman Sachs partners 2024 list, you have to be a politician. Not the "voting" kind, but the "internal influence" kind. You need a "Rabbi"—a senior partner who will pound the table for you when the selection committee meets.
If you don't have someone willing to put their reputation on the line for you, you’re stuck at Managing Director (MD) forever. And being a career MD at Goldman is like being the person who almost made the Olympic team. You're great, but you aren't in the history books.
Looking Ahead
What’s next for this group? They have a two-year window to prove they belong. The next "class" will be in 2026. Between now and then, these 95 individuals are expected to bring in billions in revenue. They are the new face of the firm.
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If you’re looking to track the health of the financial sector, watch these names. Watch where they go. If a 2024 partner leaves in two years to start their own hedge fund, that’s a signal. If they rise to lead a division, that’s another.
Next Steps for Tracking Wall Street Leadership:
- Monitor SEC Filings: New partners often have different disclosure requirements if they move into executive roles. Keep an eye on Form 4 filings for insider activity.
- Follow Division Shifts: Watch the "Banking & Markets" vs. "AWM" balance. If AWM continues to grow in partner count, Goldman is officially becoming a wealth manager first and a bank second.
- Cross-Reference with Competitors: Look at the Managing Director lists at Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan. The "poaching season" usually begins about six months after the partner calls are made.
- Analyze the Geographic Spread: Goldman is moving more operations to Dallas and Bengaluru. If the 2026 class has more partners from these hubs, the New York "center of the universe" era is officially over.