Deacon Spotlight: Cole Sonner

Cole Sonner (2021, BA in Politics & International Affairs and Global Trade & Commerce)

Client Relationship Manager at IBISWorld in New York, NY

Tell us about your current job role and employer. What are you currently working on?

I currently work at IBISWorld as a Client Relationship Manager within the Commercial Banking Team. My role entails partnering closely with financial institutions across the United States & Canada to help them make informed decisions on underwriting, risk analysis, and relationship management. I assist clients with workflow optimization, platform education, and am responsible for capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities.

What key personal and/or career experiences led you to where you are today?

I have had a wide range of positions in vastly different industries through internships, clubs, organizations, and since starting my professional career. With every role there are the positives and negatives, the aspects that you look forward to each day, and the parts that make you want to stay in bed. The years after graduation are key in identifying what you love and what aspects of your role you excel at – I was lucky enough to have had jobs that exposed me to plenty of responsibilities and opportunities. It is okay to be thrown into the fire and to take on the challenge of wearing different hats. Finding the highlight of your day or role, and translating that into a resume is what has helped find opportunities. For me the guiding thread between my roles has been a focus on people. Whether cold-calling, presenting, planning – my aim is to make someone’s life a bit easier with my effort.

What advice would you give to Wake Forest graduates about developing their personal life habits after college (finances, health, values, work/life balance)?

After graduation, the general structure of your life drastically changes. No surprise there. But to this point, you have always had another test to study for, another big game to practice for, or a social event that you can’t wait to attend. After graduation, you have to be the one to plan your life, plan your social calendar, manage your work, and ensure your financial stability. Relationships can be fragile – only through showing intent and showing effort, can you make it work!

We know that relationships are important for any kind of development. How do you build and maintain your network?

In many of my roles building and maintaining relationships has been the primary goal – but in instances when you need to know relevant details for 200+ individuals, it can be challenging. The key is to take thorough notes and use the resources you have to support you. It could be something as simple as having a mutual interest in common (sports, movies, books), but the personal moments are the ones a client or prospect will remember, not the minutia of business discussions or financials. Always being prepared is a great way to stand out.

Tell us about your mentoring relationships. What impact have these relationships had on your career and life?

I have had a number of mentors in different roles of my life, some have been the route of planning meetings to discuss my personal development, and some can be more anecdotal and informal. For me, never missing the chance to ask a question, be curious, talk about how my mentor would or has handled a situation has been productive for me. Recognizing that this person does care about your development and that they want to see you succeed helps me overcome the initial vulnerability in that situation of asking a question or asking for advice. A mentor does not always have to be someone who is in your career path or your field, and I have had mentors that are younger than me. All the same, it is important not to waste their time, think critically about your questions, and think critically about how they can help you, and how you can help them. Let them know when you hit that milestone, or you exceed your goal – they want to hear about your successes!

Story published in February 2026. For current updates about Cole, visit his LinkedIn profile.