Bank of America Merrill Lynch Exec Focuses on Posse’s Future

A.J. Murphy, the global co-head of leveraged finance and capital markets at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, joined the Posse New York Advisory Board in 2012, but her connection to the organization began many years earlier as a student at Middlebury College, one of Posse’s partner institutions.

“The Posse program seemed a truly effective and life changing movement,” says A.J. of her experience as peer to Scholars on campus.

Later, A.J. further understood the need and demand for education access as her sister-in-law, a New York City public school teacher, nominated students for the Posse Scholarship. A.J. jumped at the opportunity to become involved with Posse New York at the suggestion of her Bank of America supervisor, Alastair Borthwick, a member of the Posse National Board of Directors.

“I’ve always been drawn to issues surrounding children and education,” says A.J.

As an advisory board member, A.J. is focused on Posse’s future and believes there is tremendous capacity to bring on more college and university partners and more Scholars. She also wants to continue to help Scholars advance their careers through the Posse network, especially in fields where first-generation college graduates are traditionally underrepresented. 

“We are developing exceptionally talented leaders,” A.J. says. “Posse Scholars and alumni are such easy people to recommend for jobs. We know just how very capable they are.”