Rising Stars Series: Interview with Ani M. Vartanian, VP of Rockwood Capital

Contributed by Heather Cassell

What a fascinating and dramatic world we live in, at least from Ani M. Vartanian’s perspective. With the credit crunch, Bear Stearns crumbling, foreclosure crisis, historical election year, political scandals, and the year hasn’t even hit the halfway mark yet.

“It’s better than reality TV,” said Vartanian, 32, vice president of the acquisition and asset management team of Rockwood Capital, a $6.2 billion private real estate investment company.

Vartanian likes to keep her finger on the pulse of the intersections between politics, business, and public policy, which has helped her rapidly climb the investment real estate ladder.

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Intrepid Women Series: Evening at the Russian Bath House

The Intrepid Women series follows brave women who venture into the traditionally male dominated domains that have long been sources of entertainment for men in law and finance, but where women rarely tread. Previous excursions include steak houses and cigar bars.

793238617_5d2328f9a7_m.jpgFor years, one of my Russian friends has been telling me about the Russian bathhouse in my neighborhood. I live in the Financial District of New York City, and apparently there is a secret den of tough love Eastern European style relaxation, right around the corner from Wall Street.

Walking down Fulton Street, it doesn’t look like much. Blink and you’ll miss it. The little white and blue sign reads Spa 88, and is sandwiched between a bodega and a fast food restaurant. I thought it was probably a discount nail salon as I walked past it every day.

Oh, was I wrong.

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Voice of Experience: Juliet Bullick, BlackRock

Recently, The publisher of Glass Hammer spoke to Juliet Bullick, Head of Institutional Account Management in the UK at BlackRock. Juliet shared her insights about her job, flexible work arrangements, and her advice to young women in finance.

Juliet made a good point when I spoke to her about her four-day work week, a flex-work arrangement she has had in place since her son was born almost six years ago.

“Not everyone wants to take a salary adjustment and deliver a full week’s work in 4 days.” She does emphasize that the key to making this arrangement work is flexibility on her part to work whenever needed.

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Passions: Canoeing in the Wilderness

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Contributed by Jane Lucken

a582238453_471172_7502.jpgYou want a stress-relieving break and are considering a spa vacation. They are great in principle, but often end up costing a lot more than you budgeted for and, if you’re like me, tend to involve more time spent on massages and pool-side lounging than giving your body the exercise it needs. If you are truly looking to escape your everyday life in the city and get healthy without too much effort, then I recommend a canoe trip in Algonquin Park.

A friend and I flew out from London last summer and found ourselves eating homemade muffins and fair trade coffee in a solar-powered lodge in a forest in Canada. The other guests were all participating in a training to become shamans and were wolfing down what was to be their last meal for a few days. We were pleased to see Chris, our guide, loading up food barrels with spices, organic vegetables and wild blueberries.

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Voice of Experience: Joan Bavaria, Founder and CEO of Trillium Asset Management

Contributed by Alana Elsner

From a student of the 1960s, to a single working mother, to Time’s “Hero for the Planet”, Joan Bavaria has certainly led an extraordinary life. “I was the generation of women who tried to do everything,” she explained. As founder and C.E.O. of Trillium Asset Management- one of the first and now oldest independent Socially Responsible Investment firms- Joan sits on numerous boards, has won various prizes, and even managed to start two non-profits- Ceres and the Social Investment Forum.

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Voice of Experience : Janet Lewis of SunGard

Janet Lewis, President of Global Accounts Management and Consulting Services at Sungard, answered the question before I had a chance to ask it.

“I’ve punched through the glass ceiling but I do believe there is more for me,” she said. “There is still more opportunity out there.”

She explained that she wanted to coach other women working up the ranks and mentor them. She didn’t have anyone like that in her career and hoped by sharing her experiences; she would be helping others along the way.

“Women’s progress has stalled and we need to get it back on track,” she said. “We need to be more supportive of each other and make sure that there is no gender discrimination in the workforce. We should strive for equal opportunity.”

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In Her Shoes: Female Attorneys on Golf and Stilettos

Advice to a new lawyer about golf, shoes and corporate culture. Inspired by the ferocious debate about Hillary Clinton, post-feminism, sexism, and stilettos.

Contributed by Jacqueline Church

224432608_1b5c78576c_m.jpg“Golf. That’s all they talk about at my firm – Golf!”

She wrinkled her nose as if you’d just put something smelly under it.

An accomplished, smart, young associate at a large law firm, my friend is determined to make her billable hours, do good work, learn everything she can, and make herself more valuable to the firm. She’s not really sure why that should include learning how to golf.

As a non-practicing attorney who was in her shoes not so long ago, I offered her the following advice:

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Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo CEO on Mentors, Meritocracy and Maternity

2296516641_3b8aa5ce33_m.jpgIndra Nooyi is one woman who has broken the glass ceiling. Named CFO of PepsiCo in 2001, she went on to become the company’s fifth CEO in July 2006. During her keynote speech at the Catalyst Awards last week in New York City, a rapt audience of mostly women from over 100 companies laughed and nodded at her advice on various topics. Here are a few highlights from this gracious and accomplished woman: Indra Nooyi opened her remarks by saying that she suspected that everyone in the room knew the huge difference that a welcoming environment can make. Indra explained that PepsiCo embraced who she was and so she never had to waste energy trying to be something other than who she is. Her keyword for the audience was “authenticity.” Read more

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Reviews: Top Restaurants for a Business Dinner in Midtown

2135418029_be84fd517a_m.jpgThe Glass Hammer returns to one of its favorite hobbies, writing restaurant reviews, this time, for top eateries in Midtown Manhattan. (Alright, our hobby isn’t writing the reviews exactly, but we do love the research!) Below, find three recommendations to wow clients and celebrate with co-workers for a job well done. Our reviews of Jean Georges, Picholine and Sushi Yasuda after the jump ….

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Three Female Voices of Experience among BusinessWeek’s Top 50

This week, BusinessWeek released its Top 50 list of all-star performers. The list identifies top performers across the 10 sectors that make up the S&P 500. BusinessWeek notes that this list of executives is the most international ever, with companies across the globe represented. Trends emerged in the energy sector, where winning performers were able to capitalize on higher energy costs, and in the housing sector, where rising stars were able to take advantage of the housing boom before it went bust.

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