Her Story
About Sharon
I have been in multi-asset portfolio management for about 20 years, working across different settings in investment banks, hedge funds, and now with Thrivent, a life insurance company. In my current position as U.S. Head of Systematic Alpha Investment, I manage $13 billion in AUM. We invest in public equities using different strategies, doing things very quantitatively with machine learning models to make buy-sell decisions. One of my proudest achievements was at Bryn Mawr Capital Management, where I was hired as a risk manager and created a systematic factor risk model to help the fundamental portfolio managers evaluate their portfolio risks. I then proposed creating a quantitative strategy as a diversification to the firm's product offering. Initially, it wasn't very supported from the PMs because I needed to get some money from them, but I presented the evidence of how product offering diversification would help the firm when some years if all the fundamental PMs underperform, there is still likelihood that the quantitative strategy will save everybody's paycheck. The portfolio construction is more coherent and there are numerous benefits. In the end, my old boss at that time supported the initiative, and we grew from $100 million to $500 million in that year. I think that was a very successful run of the new strategy and truly recognized for its benefit to the firm. My next career goal is to lead a team as an executive, like VP or Chief Investment Officer, making sound decisions based on evidence, good analysis, and AI with new technology. The current position is very nurturing, but I think I have outgrown it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sharon
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the mentors I've had throughout my career. My old boss at Bryn Mawr Capital Management has been very encouraging and is a very wise old man. We have been keeping in contact. Here at Thrivent, I also had a mentor in the mutual fund board. Being somewhat detached from the organization you're working in, I think is a plus because he can kind of say things more objectively. I would thank them, but at the end of the day, they can advise you, they can show you the rope, but you have to make the decision to change, to improve, to grow.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One advice I would give is to not be shy. As a young woman decades ago myself, I think I was not sure about some of the questions that I had and wasn't very forthcoming in terms of asking questions and reaching out for support. I just kind of started doing my thing. But younger people have a faster grasp of AI and different agendic usage of new technology, so they definitely have their advantages over the more experienced people. So speak out when you think your advice is valuable. Don't be afraid to reach out for support, have those mentors, have that support, build those relationships, because everybody has a different perspective and strengths, and putting those together gives you a better perspective.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I need to prioritize. Every morning, I need to look at my calendar and kind of decide what was my short-term goal, mid-term goal, and long-term goal, and focus my energy and resources on the most important thing. I'm still kind of struggling with that from time to time because responsibilities pile up and things arise from month to month. I think it's like extreme scrutiny on the priority list. I would also say to be brave and reach out to expertise, even outside of your work and work team. Don't be afraid to speak up. My past was focused on doing a good job on your position, and that could pigeonhole yourself for a long time. So I would talk to more people, establish relationships and networks, and see which other opportunities are out there. In general, I think building that village and support system is important throughout our whole lives.
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