Investing in Student Success

Photos by Everett Francis ’19

When Leigh Sansone ’97 reflects on her journey from Aggieland to a successful career in finance as a founding partner of Paceline Equity Partners, she credits much of her accomplishment to one person: her mother, Bickie Coffey. For the 30-year elementary teacher and single mom, “education was everything,” said Sansone, noting that her mother worked tirelessly to ensure opportunities for the inner city students she served. “If I hadn’t had her support, working so hard to get me through college, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. “I want to provide that kind of support to someone else.”

Sansone is paying it forward by supporting students at Mays Business School in a variety of ways, from scholarships to mentoring, guest lecturing, and involvement with High Impact Programs like Aggies on Wall Street (AOWS) and the Reveille Fund.

After graduating from Texas A&M University with a degree in finance, Sansone spent a year as a consultant then switched gears to become an analyst with Lone Star Funds in Dallas. Over the next two decades, she rose through the ranks with Lone Star, including being the managing director of the New York City office as it was getting established. She spent 10 years in the city, eventually serving as senior managing director of Lone Star US.

In 2018, she returned to Dallas and formed Paceline with five other partners. Today, she is the chief investment officer of the special situations private equity fund. The firm has grown to 35 employees and manages more than $1 billion of capital. Sansone is delighted by the growth, as the firm is now large enough to provide a quality internship experience for Aggies – just one more way she can pour into the lives of students.

“I’m passionate about being a touch point for Aggies in finance,” she said of her involvement with Mays. Sansone regularly meets with students after their AOWS trip to New York City to answer questions about what it’s like to live and work there. She has also hosted the Aggie Investment Club at Paceline.

In addition to the terrific classroom instruction at the school, Sansone is excited about beyond-the-classroom experiences. “I’m so impressed with all of the high impact programs that Mays has created,” she said. “We didn’t have those amazing programs when I was in school, and to be honest, I’m jealous. I am so excited for the students today that get to be a part of those programs.”

Sansone’s own experience as a finance major at Texas A&M was very positive. “Classes were awesome. Professors were awesome. That’s why I wanted to support high impact programs, because our amazing professors need that kind of support from Aggies who have graduated and gone out into the field.”

In addition to supporting undergraduate programs, Sansone has also endowed a scholarship in the MBA program at Mays. “Some of those students are struggling to be in school and make ends meet, particularly at the graduate level. It’s very expensive and they have to take time away from their job to earn an MBA. Any way I can support them, I want to do it,” she said.

While she wants to see all Aggies succeed, she has a special interest in helping more women enter and stay in the male-dominated field of finance. Her work with programs to increase diversity in the investment world is part of the reason she was recognized in 2023 by Pensions & Investments magazine with an Influential Women in Institutional Investing Award.

Today, Sansone lives in Dallas but also owns a home in College Station for her frequent visits either to meet with students, see her mom, or attend a football game or other campus event. In her mentoring and guest lecturing capacity, she advises students to “keep your mind open and stay curious.” Some students discount an opportunity in New York City or in finance because of the challenge of the unknown. “My best advice is to go on the adventure and take the chance,” she said. “Take it from someone who has found success through exploring new positions and locations. Don’t get hung up on thinking this has to be your forever. It may just be your next step. You’ll regret it if you don’t try.”