Dean Tsopanides

An odyssey of growth: How a Sector Analyst found purpose at Third Bridge

“Do your best and good things will come.”

When Dean Tsopanides joined Third Bridge in 2019, he started as an Associate in New York City, commuting in from Connecticut and learning the ropes within the Private Equity business. Six years later, he’s a Senior Sector Analyst in Dallas covering Technology, Media, and Telecoms (TMT) with a focus on IT services and data centers.

“I always had an interest in finance, and I saw this as a great pathway to get my foot in the door,” he says. “It wasn’t just a stepping stone for me. I’ve been here for six years now, and it’s turned into a long-term career.”

From New York Associate to Dallas Senior Sector Analyst

Before joining Third Bridge, Dean had finished studying for an MBA, played American football, and worked as a Business Analyst at a large beverages distributor. The interview process that landed him his first role was what was known at Third Bridge as a Super Day.

“I was one of three chosen out of about a hundred people,” he recalls. Before it began, he stopped at a Dunkin’ Donuts to practice his answers, unaware that the recruiter running the session was sitting across from him. “He told me later he’d been watching me rehearse. It was pretty funny.”

Dean started out supporting Private Equity clients, connecting them with experts who could help inform their investments. While he enjoyed the fast pace, he found himself drawn to more analytical work. “I wanted something that was more research-intensive,” he explains.

Finding a new home

Dean’s opportunity came when what was formerly known as the Forum team opened its doors to existing employees who were interested in pursuing an analytical role. A colleague who had already made the transition encouraged him to explore it. “We sat down for an hour, and he walked me through the process. I realized immediately this is what I want to do; something where you can really get in the weeds.”

After interviewing for the role, Dean joined the Consumer team as a Research Associate before eventually transitioning into a Sector Analyst role that had opened up on the TMT team. He now leads deep-dive interviews with industry experts. What he values most is the ownership that comes with the position. “You control the conversation,” he says. “It’s like building a sculpture, you decide what to shape. It gives you meaning and control.”

What a Sector Analyst actually does

Dean describes his role as equal parts preparation, communication, and insight. Each day begins with market research and scanning the latest developments across his coverage universe. “I’ll review the news, look for updates relevant to the companies I cover, and prepare question sets for upcoming interviews,” he explains.

He collaborates closely with Research Associates to identify the right experts. “You work together to build a pipeline of interviews for the next couple of weeks,” he says. “I consider them my eyes and ears. You have to trust them completely.”

Once an interview is completed, Dean manages the post-production process. “I work on the transcript, refine questions, answer compliance checks, and make sure everything is ready for our clients.”

Work that makes a difference

What keeps Dean motivated is the quality of the conversations he has on a daily basis. “There’s no greater feeling than when you have a 60-minute interview where you really connect with the expert,” he says. “You’re talking about topics that are relevant and interesting, and you know they’ll add value to our clients. That’s what gives you meaning in the job.”

A recent project brought that sense of impact into focus. Dean conducted a series of customer interviews in his sector, which quickly caught the attention of a client. “They reached out to say how helpful the interview had been and asked if there were more like it,” he recalls. “To see that my work provided real value was incredibly gratifying.”

Support that changes your trajectory

Dean emphasizes that while the work can be demanding, support is never far away. “It can be fast-paced, but there are all these pillars that help you adapt and learn quickly, your team leads, other Sector Analysts, and Researchers,” he says. “If you get a client request, there’s always someone ready to help.”

He remembers a pivotal moment early in his Analyst role when that support made all the difference. “The first few months were tough. I was dealing with a strong sense of imposter syndrome,” he says. “I went to my Global Team Lead, Scott Kessler, and said I didn’t think this was for me. I thought about leaving to do carpentry work.”

Scott encouraged him to pause and talk through it. “We spent over an hour going through everything that was worrying me. I walked away from that meeting with a much greater sense of confidence, and I’ve been in the role ever since. I’m very grateful for that moment and it’s a reminder of the great leaders we have at this organization.”

Building culture in Dallas

Two and a half years ago, Dean moved from New York to Dallas with his girlfriend, trading subway rides for sunshine and space. “Dallas is super fun,” he says. “It’s way hotter in the summer, but the people are great.”

The Dallas office has quickly developed its own character. “The office is brand new and absolutely gorgeous,” he says. “We have a great vibe. I’m in the office four to five days a week, and the rapport between analysts and researchers is fantastic. We’ve worked hard to create an environment that’s conducive to people wanting to come in and do their best work.”

Life beyond work

Outside the office, Dean has a wide range of creative interests. “I play piano,” he says. “I’m part of a Hungarian community that hosts small shows twice a year. You don’t really learn a piece until you perform it for others. Pressure makes diamonds.”

He also enjoys woodworking. “I make cutting boards and coasters, and my next project will be jewelry boxes,” he says. “We have a dog named Beverly and two cats. I even built a ‘catio’ for them on our balcony. They live a good life.”

For Dean, those hobbies bring balance. “You work hard, but it’s important to have things outside of work that keep you grounded,” he says.

Advice for future joiners

When asked what he would tell someone considering a role at Third Bridge, Dean doesn’t hesitate. “Reach out,” he says. “I’ve answered so many LinkedIn questions from students or recent graduates asking about life here. Don’t hesitate to contact Analysts or Associates, we’re happy to share what the workflow and progression look like.”

His advice to new joiners is simple but powerful. “Do your best, and good things will come. The learning process can be intense, so soak everything up and trust that the people you’re working with will support you. There will be challenging moments, but you’ll find a lot of gratification in the work you do here.”

From that first Super Day in New York to finding his rhythm as a Senior Sector Analyst in Dallas, Dean’s story captures what it’s really like to grow at Third Bridge.

What are you looking for?