The Seventh Annual Women in Alternative Investments Career Forum hosted by the Women’s Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE) brought together a talented group of scholars and professionals from a variety of backgrounds with the hope of promoting diversity and enhancing opportunities for young women to break into the alternatives industry.
When I first entered the event I was impressed at the sheer scope of the conference. Hundreds of young professionals from 40 states and 8 different countries were gathered, all eager to learn about careers in alternative investments. Not only that, but everyone there was looking to meet others in the field and grow their peer network. I quickly was able to find other women to sit with and chit-chat about their flight into the city, where they were from, where they had worked that summer, and of course how good the complimentary breakfast was.
The first panel, Leading Ladies in Alternative Investments, was a perfect start to the day. One panelist that I resonated with was Chrissy Lamont Svejnar, a Partner in the Ares Secondaries Group. She talked about coming from a non-target school and the grit that is formed when you need to work to build your network and pave a way for opportunities that aren’t always readily apparent. As a UConn student, it was amazing to see someone from a state school who had become such a success and is now giving back to others, serving on the Ares Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council and attending events such as this one to promote and educate about the career path.
Another panel I found particularly interesting was the Male Perspectives on Diversity panel. They spoke a lot about recruiting out of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Levoyd Robinson, CEO and CIO at CFI Partners related to his experience with The Academy Group, which was co-founded by Mark Walter, the CEO of Guggenheim Partners where I will be working after graduation. The Academy Group is an opportunity program that provides students from 65+ schools across Chicago, 95% of which are students of color, with a rigorous mentorship and education acceleration curriculum. Their mission is to create pathways for students by providing access and opportunities that create more equitable possibilities for success. Adding this perspective to the mix felt important to the message of the conference, providing a holistic outlook on the inequities in finance, but also highlighting the work that passionate, talented professionals are doing in this space to create a more even playing field. It was also great to hear the name of my future employer and learn about the positive impact that someone from my firm has had.
The conference placed a large emphasis on networking and forming genuine connections with the people there. After the panels, there were small roundtable discussions where we were able to speak directly with people who were highly experienced in the field. I was able to meet Helen Quick, the President of WAVE, and hear about her journey to becoming a C-Suite executive and how she navigated mentorship and finding the right people in your career who will support your growth and development. I also talked with Julie Gionfriddo of Agent Capital and Ilona Ioffe of APG Asset Management about trends in the healthcare industry and how it affects their investment decisions.
The conference culminated in a career expo. Engaging with a diverse array of firms, I had the opportunity to explore their distinctive offerings and unique characteristics. This provided a valuable platform not only to present ourselves to these firms but also to pose direct inquiries. It was an excellent opportunity to discern whether each organization resonated with our career objectives and aspirations, allowing for a more informed decision-making process.
After attending the conference, I departed with some impressive swag bags, a freshly taken professional headshot, and a renewed enthusiasm to delve deeper into the world of investing careers. I had a wonderful time learning about alternative investments, connecting with old friends who were also in attendance, and making new friends throughout the day. Witnessing the dedication of individuals who carved time out of their hectic schedules to create an empowering platform for aspiring young women in the field was truly uplifting. Their efforts instilled in me a newfound confidence, leaving me well-prepared and optimistic about my future career endeavors.
