Heather Garland: Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer, PGIM Investments

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Heather Garland“It’s important to embrace change and demonstrate adaptability as you grow in your career,” says Heather Garland. “This helped me develop a well-rounded, transferable skill set.”

Garland shares how a growth mindset, being flexible, and viewing challenges as stepping stones can help build the skills and experience for a successful career. Her passion for nurturing her team’s development mirrors her dedication to driving business success, believing that both are not mutually exclusive.

Pursuing opportunities for growth

Garland’s career has been one of continuous growth and reinvention. In college, Garland majored in psychology and wasn’t sure what career path she wanted to pursue. While finishing her degree at night, she took a sales assistant role at AXA and was eventually recruited to join PGIM, where she has now spent more than 25 years building a successful career. Though she didn’t know much about financial services at the time, Garland saw her first role at PGIM as an intriguing challenge.

Dedicated to advancing her career and learning the industry, Garland seized every opportunity through lateral moves, stretch assignments, and professional designations, like the FINRA Series 7 and CIMA certifications.

“There were times I pursued growth opportunities, and other times I was tapped on the shoulder to lead different areas as part of a strategy shift,” she says.

One of those pivotal moments came twelve years ago when Garland transitioned into Marketing, leading marketing communications, product marketing and more recently, client marketing. These experiences became the foundation that launched her into her newly appointed role as Global Chief Marketing Officer, where she leads a team that is shaping the future of PGIM Investments’ marketing strategy.

“There are a number of initiatives and pilot programs underway that ultimately will help drive business growth and enable us to deliver better experiences for our clients,” she says.

Fostering the development of others

For Garland, few things are more rewarding than guiding others as they advance in their careers.  She explains, “One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is helping high performers grow and pursue their goals. I’ve had a number of team members who have moved on to other roles within PGIM or externally. I feel like a proud parent when I see someone take that next step in their career.”

Not only does Garland invest in the growth of her team members, but she is committed to supporting up-and-coming women across PGIM, as she recognizes what a difference it made for her own career.

“I was part of the first pilot program in PGIM Investments, in which I was paired with a mentor outside of my direct team. That experience opened doors for me, eventually leading to my current role.”

Taking leadership to the next level with an executive coach

Beyond the support of mentors and managers in her organization, Garland credits working with a leadership coach as instrumental in shaping her career development. She points to the accountability of meeting with a coach on a regular basis and working on specific goals as beneficial.

“With my coach, I developed a roadmap to focus on building strategic, one-on-one relationships with senior decision-makers in the organization – people I often needed to gain support from or collaborate with. One of the most valuable relationships I’ve built through that process is with our head of sales – a connection who was open and happy to meet with me as part of the growth plan I initiated.”

Another aspect of the coaching experience that Garland finds impactful is receiving input from her peers and leaders as part of a 360-feedback report, giving her the opportunity to reflect on her strengths and potential areas of growth from a multitude of perspectives. This feedback enabled her to create a plan around what to start – and stop doing – to focus on what matters most in her role.

She reflects, “I was also able to look at my functional area differently and recommend a new organizational structure that better aligned with where our business was headed.”

Lessons learned

After 25 years at PGIM, Garland understands that becoming an effective leader requires both time and experience to develop the necessary skills and confidence. She highlights the importance of focusing on progress rather than striving for perfection.

Another key element for career success that Garland emphasizes is self-advocacy. “Whether it’s being considered for a stretch project, a promotion, or a raise – don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst response you’re going to get is ‘No,’ and even that gives you the opportunity to start a dialogue.”

“I used to have the mindset that if I kept my head down and worked hard, I’d be recognized for that and promoted in time. But, in reality, it doesn’t always work out that way. It wasn’t until I started becoming more intentional and vocal about my career goals that those opportunities finally started to come.”

Leaving time for adventure

Outside of work, Garland enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places with her husband and two kids, both near and far – they took a recent trip to Nicaragua. She also finds joy experimenting in her kitchen – when she has time – and reading, preferably on a beach.

“I don’t think there’s such a thing as work-life balance. I view it more like a seesaw,” Garland says. “There are times where you may need to focus more on work, and times where you need to focus more on your personal life. As leaders, it’s important to understand that for our team members as well.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Yasmine Coupal: Partner, Goldman Sachs

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Yasmine Coupal“Careers are not linear, and there isn’t a one size fits all approach. I think the key is to find the balance that works for you professionally and personally. If I had tried to predict what the next five years of my career would have been at any single point in time, I would have been completely wrong,” says Yasmine Coupal, a partner in Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs. “I thought I was joining Goldman Sachs for two years, and here I am, 20 years later.”

Coupal’s career is a testament to the power of embracing the unexpected. Born and raised in Venezuela, she initially set her sights on economic development, education policy in particular, planning to return to Latin America after completing undergraduate and graduate degrees in Economics and International Policy at Stanford. But a surprising detour into finance changed everything.

After graduation, a friend who was working at Goldman Sachs recommended she interview for a role on the Latin America credit team and Coupal was impressed with the people she interviewed with.

“It was too compelling of an offer to pass up, even though it meant adjusting my plans to return to Venezuela to be with my then boyfriend, now husband of 19 years.” She remembers, “long story short, I took the job in 2004, and he moved to New York instead.”

Yasmine thrived at Goldman as an analyst on the Latin America and Natural Resources credit risk team. Coupal states that she loved to travel across the region and while on a business trip in Argentina in 2007, she met a VP that ultimately convinced her to join the capital markets team as an associate. She then shifted her coverage from Latin America to domestic industrial companies.

“I wasn’t looking for a move, but I knew it was time for a challenge and to try something new.”

It was Coupal’s unwavering openness to new challenges that propelled her advancement from an internal facing role in Credit Risk to a client facing role in Capital Markets. However, it was the personal decision to relocate to San Francisco with her husband that proved to be a turning point in her career. Taking the risk to leave the financial hub of New York and follow her heart, Coupal found herself in the midst of Silicon Valley’s booming tech scene. Leveraging her unique position of being on the ground to meet with large cap tech clients, Coupal built relationships, knowledge and experience with TMT (Technology, Media and Telecommunications) clients while still very much covering her sector of industrial and real estate companies for the bank.

Ultimately, when the Managing Director for TMT debt capital markets retired in 2014, Coupal raised her hand and was selected to lead the team due to the strong relationships she had built with clients on the West Coast. In fact, she made Managing Director in 2015 and in 2018, the firm officially created the West Coast Financing Team. Along with Will Connelly, Coupal was named Co-Head and after growing and guiding the team through the pandemic, Yasmine made partner in 2020.

She reflects, “there will be moments in your career when you’ll need to make decisions based on what aligns with your professional goals and then there are moments when personal priorities are more important. Sometimes it involves taking risks, even when the outcome is uncertain. Ultimately, finding the right balance that works for you is key.”

Never one to get too comfortable, Coupal made another bold move two years later in 2022, stepping into an investment banking role where she leads coverage of large cap technology companies. Driven by her constant quest for growth and her ability to turn every opportunity into a success, Coupal is excited to keep pushing her boundaries and challenge herself as she continues as a leader at Goldman Sachs.

Investing in Relationships

When Coupal first interviewed at Goldman, it was the people she met who ignited her excitement about joining the firm. Even today, the connections she built at the firm throughout her career remain a driving force in her sense of fulfillment at work as she notes, “you’re not going to really love the job or be successful if you don’t like the people that you work with.”

In addition to making the work more enjoyable, building relationships also expands one’s network. Coupal advocates for taking the time and effort to establish those connections, particularly through in-person opportunities like meeting for coffee.

“You need to invest in your network. It’s important to have a goal of setting up an in-person catch up with someone that you work with every single week because it allows for people to get to know you as a person, so that you’re not just a name on the other side of an email.”

The value of investing that time is multifold as it creates a sense of support, opens opportunities to learn from others, and engenders loyalty to each other and the firm.

“As people understand your interests, give you feedback and see that you’re performing, you automatically get new opportunities. It becomes this reciprocal cycle that leads to success,” says Coupal. “It’s also the glue that keeps people at the firm. One of the reasons I’ve stayed so long is because I have people that I admire who have invested in me. It creates a sense of loyalty.”

Mentorship is Reciprocal

In thinking about the significance of finding inspiration and support, Coupal points to one of her mentors, Susie Scher, as pivotal to her leadership development.

Coupal shares, “Susie was instrumental in my growth at Goldman Sachs from the associate level to Vice President, Managing Director and ultimately, Partner. In essence, she saw me grow up at Goldman Sachs. She is someone who identified my talent, invested in it, and was courageous enough to give me a lot of responsibility.”

Having the experience of a mentor who believed in her engenders a deep commitment for Coupal to pay it forward and be that support for others.

“It begins with how I develop my team and invest in them, placing a strong emphasis on feedback. I focus on building genuine relationships, getting to know who they are, their skills, their ambitions, and identifying the potential in them that they may not yet have recognized.”

Extending her influence beyond her direct reports, Coupal participates in formal mentorship programs at Goldman while also being open to informal connections when people reach out to her for guidance. In either circumstance, Coupal emphasizes, “mentoring is a two-way relationship, it requires both sides to equally invest. I might want to mentor as many people as I can, but if the other side is not reciprocating and wanting to develop that relationship, there’s only so far that I can go.”

Reflecting on where sponsorship fits within the framework of support and building relationships, Coupal believes that mentorship and sponsorship go hand in hand as the roles can shift and change as people move through the firm.

“It’s fluid. A mentor can become a sponsor, or vice versa, but the key to success lies not just in getting to know you personally, but in working with you. It’s that combination that makes the relationship most effective.”

Champion your Uniqueness

In addition to being an avid mentor and sponsor, Coupal supports diversity and inclusion efforts, participating in speaking engagements and hosting sessions that provide an opportunity for female talent at the firm to talk candidly about their experiences. One theme that she strives to convey to junior analysts is, “be your genuine self. Don’t try to be someone else. Don’t try to fit a mold that you think is the key to success.”

As a Latina woman excelling in the financial industry, Coupal speaks to how she champions her uniqueness and sees it as an asset.

“Being a subject matter expert while being a woman and Latina differentiates me, makes me unique and memorable, and many times allows me to connect with clients on a different level. Establishing these deep connections and trust has been critical in my career and allowed me to build and foster relationships I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

Beyond recognizing the power of authenticity, Coupal emphasizes that adaptability and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone are instrumental to career development.

“Success in one stage of your career may not guarantee success in the next. Staying humble, seeking advice, thinking ahead, and remaining flexible when plans change is key.”

She continues, “be comfortable being uncomfortable. When you start feeling too comfortable, it’s a signal to challenge yourself with something new. It keeps you on your toes and ensures continuous growth.”

Outside of work, Coupal is eager to instill in her children the same curiosity and openness to new experiences that have shaped her own journey, especially through travel. “One of our greatest joys is taking our kids to explore different countries, cultures, and cuisines,” she says. Passionate about family time, Coupal loves spending weekends cheering at soccer games or unwinding together with a backyard barbecue.

By Jessica Robaire

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Kelly Odenheimer: Vice President, Global Customer Care, ETS

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Kelly Odenheimer“For me, it’s all about the connections,” says Kelly Odenheimer. “Whether it’s connecting with customers, employees, or colleagues, helping people and building those relationships are what drive me.”

Odenheimer is a leader who believes that true success and fulfillment come from more than just professional milestones. She shares how cultivating deep connections, embracing difficult conversations with confidence, and offering genuine support are the cornerstones of her approach to making a meaningful impact in both her career and personal life.

Driven by Connection

With a thirty-year tenure at ETS, Odenheimer emphasizes the importance of finding meaningful connections in her work as the key to a successful and fulfilling career. From her beginnings as a temp reconciling bubble answer sheets to working in executive communications, marketing and sales, Odenheimer consistently sought to understand how her role contributed to helping others. Now as the head of ETS’ global customer care team, she continues to prioritize the impact of her work, striving to ensure that every interaction adds value and supports the success of both her team and the customers they serve.

“In my current role, I work with organizations in the US and India, fostering global connections with people who are all working towards the same goal. My focus is on aligning teams, getting everyone on the same page, and motivating them to achieve our shared objectives.”

Odenheimer highlights kindness and a willingness to listen as integral to building those connections.

“Sometimes we forget as we climb the corporate ladder the importance of listening. While we may feel compelled to speak up in meetings to maintain our presence or appear to provide value, there is so much more benefit in listening.”

A leader who prioritizes listening and seeks to offer help first not only builds strong relationships but also fosters a shared sense of unity and collaboration.

“I always say, ‘I can’t do it all, but I can give it my all.’ That’s why it’s crucial for me to engage the right people and build relationships rooted in kindness and authenticity, so they feel inspired to give it their all too.”

Global Leadership is About Transparency and Trust

As a leader in a global role, Odenheimer emphasizes building a foundation of mutual respect, transparency, and trust, to collaborate across cultures and time zones. In working with her team in India and managing the nine and a half-hour time difference, Odenheimer notes, “I start early so they don’t have to stay late.” She also points to the importance of making the effort to travel and meet the team in person.

“You cannot operate as a global leader if you’ve never been to the places where the people you have supporting you live and work. You will never make the connection you need to make that will allow everyone to be successful.”

Odenheimer notes that traveling to meet global teams in person also gives her the opportunity to understand the cultural differences in what motivates a team in India versus a team in the US.

“I can’t expect to fully understand what motivates people in Hyderabad or Kolkata while sitting in New Jersey. I need to follow their lead and trust their insights, just as they trust me. And I genuinely enjoy it—now, when I visit, we hold rewards and recognition ceremonies, which are deeply valued in their culture.”

Knowing how much recognition is culturally meaningful to the team in India, Odenheimer makes a monthly habit of sending thank you emails to people identified as going above and beyond. She shares how this seemingly small gesture can have a profound impact, as she’s been greeted with hugs from team members there, expressing heartfelt gratitude for a simple note she sent months earlier.

Mentorship with Perspective

For Odenheimer, mentorship is another element of leadership that aligns with her deep commitment to building relationships and empowering others. As a mentor of staff in ETS’s mentorship program, Odenheimer finds that mentorship goes beyond just offering advice; it’s about forging genuine connections and understanding the unique perspectives of those she mentors.

“Mentorship isn’t a one-size-fits-all activity,” she explains. “Each person brings their own strengths and weaknesses, and my role is to help them recognize these qualities, understand their implications, and consider alternative approaches without compromising their authenticity.”

Odenheimer is also involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and is a co-executive sponsor of the LGBTQ+ group, which is important to her as the mother of a transgender child. Outside of work, she volunteered to coach her (at the time) daughter’s lacrosse team when she realized that there were no female lacrosse coaches for this team on the sidelines. As she recalls, “it was so important for me that those girls saw a woman step up and do something that only a man had done before and for my child to feel supported.” In all these experiences she has seen firsthand how providing a listening ear, being present, and showing up to offer support can make a meaningful difference.

“The essence of mentorship is putting yourself in someone else’s shoes—truly seeing the world from their perspective—so you can guide them more effectively. Whether in a professional setting or coaching a lacrosse team, it’s never about you; it’s about helping others navigate their paths by understanding where they are coming from.”

The Hard Conversations are Worth it

In addition to her passion for fostering connections, Odenheimer believes effective leadership involves embracing the hard conversations and confidently using one’s voice to drive change. Odenheimer reflects on how these values were ingrained in her from an early age; as the eldest of three siblings, she often found herself in the position of initiating difficult discussions.

“I was always the one who had to have the hard conversations,” she recalls. “It taught me very early on the importance of being authentic and transparent in order to see positive change.”

This early experience shaped her approach as a leader, where she emphasizes the necessity of having tough conversations in the boardroom.

“If we grow up shying away from hard conversations, it’s hard to suddenly start having them,” she notes. “But if you’re able to practice it your whole life, it makes it a little easier to walk into those rooms with a confident voice.”

For Odenheimer, using her voice has been key to her personal and professional growth. “Finding my voice to ask for more for myself—whether it’s more responsibility, a different title, or more opportunity—has been crucial. I took ownership of the path I went on, and I did that with my actions and my voice.” She believes that this is how people find true success, not just by climbing the corporate ladder, but by achieving satisfaction in life.

“The most pivotal moments,” she reflects, “are probably when I realized my voice could be heard. You keep speaking and someone will listen.”

Balancing Family and Personal Fulfillment

Odenheimer’s dedication to building connections and offering support is just as evident in her personal life as it is in her professional one. She shares, “supporting and experiencing things with my kids is what I value most. Whether it’s the journey I’ve gone on with my oldest and him finding his true self to helping my younger son figure out what college he wants to go to, supporting and being with my family has always been extremely important to me.”

As both her children played competitive travel lacrosse, Odenheimer spent every weekend throughout the summer traveling to games and cheering from the sidelines. Now that she is facing an empty nest with her youngest on his way to college, she is beginning to explore what else she might find fulfilling, including learning how to crochet.

“I am thrilled to find out what brings me peace, joy, and excitement in this next part of my journey.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Rachel Goldin Jinich: Head of Specialty Real Estate Finance, Wells Fargo Commercial Real Estate

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Rachel Goldin Jinich“Run towards the fire.  Go to where there is growth and where you can make an impact,” says Rachel Goldin Jinich.  “To me that’s always the recipe for success.”

Jinich exemplifies the drive to seize opportunities and master her craft amidst challenges. She reflects on how her authentic leadership style, commitment to growth, and dedication to supporting diverse talent and fostering a collaborative culture have defined her career.

Running Towards the Fire

From the beginning of her career, Jinich ran towards opportunity.  Pivoting from an undergraduate degree in political science and Spanish literature, Jinich studied finance in graduate school, finding a passion for commercial real estate.  Jumping at the chance to get experience on the lending side of real estate, Jinich joined the Wells Fargo commercial real estate team in 2006 in Boston, where only two years later she quickly learned how to weather a volatile market in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.  Reaching out to her mentor and asking to join a new group dedicated to handling distressed debt workouts, Jinich gained valuable experience and established long-lasting connections throughout the firm.

“There is no better time than during a crisis to truly master your craft and discover what you still need to learn. I had the privilege of working with incredibly talented individuals, many of whom are still with Wells Fargo today and with whom I continue to collaborate frequently.”

Always looking for growth opportunities and embracing challenges, Jinich continued to broaden her skillset in commercial real estate, working across various groups including Real Estate Merchant Banking, Special Situations, Hospitality Finance, and Specialty Capital, where she started a specialized lending group for data centers.  Her breadth of experience and proven track record positioned Jinich to seamlessly assume the leadership role of her predecessor, becoming the head of Specialty Real Estate Finance (SREF) last year, with responsibility overseeing lodging and leisure, data centers, healthcare real estate, and manufactured housing.

“I am thrilled to lead this talented team focused on some of the most exciting sectors across real estate.”

Leading with a Growth Mindset

Jinich’s approach to seeking growth opportunities not only propels her career advancement, but also defines her leadership style.  She notes that being open to learning from others and drawing on their expertise is an important element of how she shows up as a leader.

“It’s having a healthy dose of humility and a growth mindset in order to learn from the people around you.  Put your ego aside, be a willing student and ask questions.”

Jinich also emphasizes authenticity as key to effective leadership, particularly as it engenders trust and respect from the team.

“Being candid resonates with people because they know whatever it is, they can trust that you will be transparent and direct.”

Jinich appreciates the authentic leadership style of her own manager, Kara McShane, head of Commercial Real Estate, and hopes to emulate that with her team.

“I believe people will respond positively to you if they see that you genuinely care about them, are invested in their success, and the team’s success.”

Finding Support in the Wells Fargo Culture

Jinich attributes Wells Fargo’s culture as a big contributor to her ability to lead authentically, including feeling comfortable sharing when she does not have all the answers.  She finds the thread of being humble and willing to ask clarifying questions woven throughout the organization’s leadership.

“What I truly appreciate about our culture is that even our most senior leaders can participate in calls and ask fundamental questions about the deal, the client, or the underwriting process without hesitation.”

She continues, “When I look at people who I respect and admire and see their ability to admit they don’t have the answers, and to learn and draw on the experience of others – that is the secret sauce.”

Jinich also highlights the emphasis on a team mentality as a particularly supportive aspect of the Wells Fargo culture.

“People understand that you win together.  When someone new joins, people invest the time in educating and helping them because in the end we are all just trying to get the best outcomes for our clients while supporting the team.”

As a leader, Jinich hopes to continue facilitating an atmosphere of collaboration, as she feels it is a unique and important element of Wells Fargo’s culture.

Creating a Team Culture that Elevates

Jinich is thoughtful about the culture she wants to create for her team, and how she aims to model that in her leadership style.  As a leader in a business that traditionally has fewer women in leadership roles, she is dedicated to supporting diverse talent.

“I’ve had a lot of support throughout my career to continue to advance and I want to make sure that everyone in my organization feels like they have a shot to get the big job, to win the big deal, and to be successful. Representation matters and Wells has incredible women in leadership positions and in the talent pipeline”

She continues, “I want to make sure that there are many women behind me who have that same opportunity and that we’re creating career paths.”

For Jinich, elevating others involves providing the constructive feedback they need to improve and advance emphasizing, “it’s making sure that same level of feedback is available to all of our employees.”  She aims to foster a culture that encourages ongoing dialogue by addressing actionable feedback promptly rather than waiting for mid-year reviews.

“Although it can at times be uncomfortable, people are receptive and crave that input. I want that feedback, too. I don’t expect it to be a one-way communication.  I want to create a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up.”

Setting Boundaries for Success

Navigating a fulfilling career and motherhood, Jinich understands that balancing time and energy between one’s personal and professional life is challenging.  She acknowledges, “sometimes it’s going well and you feel like you’re nailing it on every level and then there are days where you feel like you’re failing at everything.”  She continues, “I’ve had to learn to say no to things that aren’t important in my personal and professional life, so I can say yes to what truly matters.”

As a leader, she aims to create a culture that emphasizes setting boundaries, encouraging her team to take the time they need or ask for resources to avoid burnout.  She wants to be sure that balance is available, promoted, and supported for everybody.

Jinich finds balance outside of work by embracing the outdoors, whether she’s cycling with her kids or volunteering on the board of a nonprofit summer camp. She believes that being in nature and staying active are essential for self-care, enabling her to better support others.

“Whether it’s your son’s baseball game or a Pilates class, wherever you are in life, and whatever you have going on at home, setting boundaries is important.  It’s the key to a sustainable career.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Danielle Navarro: Portfolio Manager, PGIM Fixed Income

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Danielle Navarro“You can always grow and keep learning, no matter where you are in your career,” says Danielle Navarro. “Whether you’re an intern or the head of a trading desk, there’s always an opportunity to broaden your knowledge.”

Embodying a growth mindset, Navarro reflects on how she finds opportunity in challenges, pushes herself to step out of her comfort zone and looks for ways to learn from and support others.

Turning challenges into opportunities

Navarro’s ability to turn obstacles into advantages was evident early in her career. Despite graduating college during the financial crisis of 2008, Navarro adapted to the challenging job market and prioritized staying near her family by remaining flexible and open to the types of roles she was interested in, but she wanted to ensure the role she took highlighted her math and economics background, leading her to accept a role at PGIM in the Data Integrity Group. This gave her the opportunity to learn more about fixed income.

Always eager to build her skills, Navarro later enrolled in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and pursued a master’s degree in statistics at Columbia University, dedicating nights and weekends to enhancing her skills and knowledge. She also explored other paths at PGIM, volunteering for projects that allowed her to work cross-functionally.

“Thanks to a great manager who was open to hearing what I was interested in, I gained exposure to various roles within the firm, which helped me discover my passion and identify what truly suited me.”

Finding excitement in the dynamic nature of the investment side of the business, Navarro moved into corporate credit, ultimately advancing into her current role at PGIM as a portfolio manager on the investment grade corporate desk. No two days are alike, she says, which keeps her energized and ensures her analytical and problem-solving skills remain sharp while finding the best solutions for clients.

Staying curious

Beyond turning obstacles – like starting a job during the financial crisis, being a female in a male-dominated field and juggling four maternity leaves – into opportunities, Navarro cites curiosity and her openness to learning from others as keys to her career development.

“My commitment to hard work helped me connect with key mentors. My drive and curiosity made me stand out, so when opportunities arose, I was considered because of my active involvement and genuine enthusiasm.”

She highlights PGIM’s collaborative culture as ideal for building connections and learning from seasoned colleagues who understand what it takes to succeed.

“Successful people often excel in their careers because they genuinely love their work. It’s important to ask questions to learn from their experiences and understand their long-term success. At PGIM, you can seek advice from anyone, regardless of their level or asset class, and gain significant insights.”

Embracing discomfort to grow

Another one of Navarro’s guiding principles is her commitment to learning and broadening her skillset.

“There is always room for growth. Make it a habit to read newspapers, watch various news outlets and seek out diverse opinions and perspectives. Not only will you expand your knowledge, but you will also better understand and navigate different situations and draw informed conclusions.”

Growth can also come from pushing outside one’s comfort zone and helping others push beyond theirs. Navarro says she is naturally introverted, but thanks to mentors and managers who helped draw her out of her shell and asked her opinion in meetings, she gained confidence. Recently, she pushed her limits by speaking at a conference in front of one hundred people.

Reflecting on her decision to speak, she says, “In situations where you feel out of your comfort zone, reminding yourself that you possess the knowledge and capabilities can often benefit you in the long run.”

Being a woman in a male-dominated industry

Navarro recognizes the challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated field. Being the only woman in the room was awkward at first, but she quickly realized that she could use it to her advantage. “When you’re in a meeting, and you’re the only one that looks different, people remember what you say.”

Navarro identifies connecting with other women on the trading floor as valuable in navigating a male-dominated environment. She looks to support women in their journey, so they don’t feel like they’re alone, particularly in figuring out how to manage the momentum of the investment side when starting a family.

“I make it a point to reach out to women who are not only working to grow their careers, but their families as well, reassuring them that they can do both.” She continues, “This life change doesn’t diminish their professional abilities; it’s simply an addition to their lives. Having four children myself, I can share my experiences and offer support from a place of understanding.”

As the investment side is characterized by frequent change and a sense of urgency to talk to people in the market daily, Navarro is realistic that it takes time to come back from maternity leave and make those connections again. However, the short-term nature of the business also has its advantages, she notes. “After a couple weeks of daily interactions, they’re going to forget that you were ever gone – it’s easier to reintegrate than you think.”

Inspired and inspiring

For Navarro, family is paramount, and her career drive stems not only from her desire to show her children that a woman can achieve anything, but also from the inspiration she finds from her father’s career journey. Coming from humble beginnings and putting both Navarro and her twin sister through college, Navarro’s father demonstrated that education, perseverance and hard work can change your trajectory.

“He will always inspire me. Whenever I need a boost, I reflect on how he accomplished his goals through sheer determination and hard work. His success is a testament that if you believe you can – you will.”

As a mother of four, Navarro hopes to similarly inspire her children. Thanks to PGIM’s hybrid work policy, Navarro’s children get to see firsthand how she manages a fulfilling career and family life. As both Navarro and her husband work for PGIM in similar capacities, she emphasizes, “I hope that they see that both men and women can achieve the same successes, working equally hard.”

Navarro draws lessons from the successes of others and her own missteps, consistently striving to evolve and develop.

Both in investing and her personal life, Navarro emphasizes, “All these rough patches that you enter are temporary.” She continues, “Rely on your strengths and remind yourself that you have the capability to figure this out. You’ve successfully navigated similar challenges before. Focus on what is most beneficial moving ahead.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Kendra Lee: Chairman and CEO, Merichem

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Kendra Lee“If you are looking for career growth, whether that’s moving up the chain of command, or whether it’s broadening your skill set, you must trust in yourself and take on things you’ve never done before,” says Kendra Lee.

Lee shares how her willingness to take risks, embrace new opportunities, and have the confidence of her convictions not only shaped her career trajectory, but continues to guide her as a leader.

From Lab Tech to CEO

Upon graduating from Texas A&M with a marine sciences degree, Lee never anticipated a career in the chemicals industry. Typically, her field required pursuing a graduate degree, but she was eager to start working and wanted a break from school. Merichem, a family company founded by her grandfather in 1945, offered her an unexpected opportunity – a lab technician role.

However, she quickly realized that lab work was not her passion, and when an internal sales position opened, she seized the chance to explore a different path that better aligned with her interests. Concurrently, she decided to earn an MBA to build a stronger business foundation. As she was completing her MBA, her grandfather passed away, and Merichem’s leadership transitioned to her cousin. Lee credits her cousin with recognizing her strengths and guiding her from sales to finance, hinting at her potential for future leadership.

“I recognized later that by encouraging me to get experience in corporate finance, he was preparing me with the skills and knowledge needed to one day assume leadership of the company.”

Lee’s readiness to embrace new challenges and build her skill set eventually led to her becoming Chairman and CEO in 2013. In leading Merichem, Lee is thrilled to continue the legacy of sustainability that is at the core of what the company does.

“From as early as 1945 Merichem has been focused on taking products that would otherwise be classified as hazardous waste and cleaning them up or reusing them to make them better for the overall environment, fitting a need for the industry.”

Leading Change for Business Growth

Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through as she fearlessly leads change at the company, knowing it’s essential for business growth and adapting to industry needs.

“It’s about having the right leadership team to drive change, addressing operational issues for greater efficiency, and implementing necessary adjustments despite initial resistance. Ultimately, people realize these changes are beneficial. I see myself as a change agent who enjoys looking for ways to improve and then executing those processes.”

Lee recognizes that change can come with uncertainty, but she is energized by navigating the unknown to get to an outcome that is better for the business. For example, Lee recently led the divestiture of a part of the business that removed sulfur compounds from liquids to help provide cleaner fuel sources in the petrochemical industry.

She explains, “part of the reason we divested was because we recognized the business’ growth potential and importance, but Merichem was not the right owner. It needed new ownership to be able to grow and take advantage of its place as one of the leaders in removing sulfur within the oil and gas space.”

Taking Risks and Trusting in Yourself

Lee’s willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities served her well in progressing from lab tech to CEO and clearly continues to drive her as a leader.

She advocates, “you have to take that risk. Be willing to trust in yourself and know that you can figure it out. Because otherwise you become paralyzed, and you won’t take that next step.”

Taking the leap to try something new also creates momentum in building the skills to get to the next level.

“You’re never going to get more experience or broaden your skill set if you don’t say, ‘I’ve got to do this. I’ve proven to myself I can learn things, so let’s try it.’ It’s trusting in yourself.”

Lee notes that trusting in herself also builds confidence, an important element of leadership development.

“I have a strong self-confidence that comes across, even though I’m not inclined to self-promotion. My confidence helps in addressing difficult subjects head-on with clarity, admitting when I don’t know something, which adds value and credibility.”

As a woman leader in the male-dominated industry of oil and gas, Lee shares that it took time and experience for her to build that confidence when walking into spaces where she was one of the only women. She adds, “as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to acknowledge my strengths and talents, and can say, ‘it doesn’t matter that I’m a woman, I have just as much to contribute to the conversation as a man does’.”

Being a Leader who Listens

Lee is a collaborative leader who listens to her team and makes a point of cultivating an environment where they feel safe to give honest feedback. She finds that it is essential to have that space for dialogue to get the best ideas out there to make an informed decision.

“One thing I learned very early on is that I’m not the smartest person in the room. And while the decision may be mine to take, there is a lot of other valuable input that I need to hear and consider before I decide. In the end it will help me make a better decision.”

Creating a culture that allows for constructive feedback and even disagreement is important to Lee. Beyond being an active listener, Lee takes the perspective that “opinions are never wrong as it’s all shaped by how we see the world and where we were raised…it’s acknowledging that there is validity to what people are saying, even if it may not be the right answer at the right time.”

Lee also looks for a diversity of opinion and is intentional in creating a team that reflects many viewpoints.

“The more diversity you can get in that thought group, whether it’s gender, race, or ethnicity. the better your decisions because everybody comes at it a little bit differently.”

Passionate about Community and Family

Outside of work, Lee is deeply committed to her community. She serves on the board of Kids Meals, a non-profit organization that provides daily free lunches to children under five who experience food insecurity, as they are not yet part of the school system.

“Currently, they’re serving about 8,000 children a day. It’s remarkable the impact they can have on the community, helping to set these kids up for success when they do get to school,” she notes.

In addition to her community involvement, Lee manages a busy schedule with her active teenagers. She is grateful for the support of nearby family members who assist in getting her children to their activities when she or her husband are in meetings or traveling. Despite her demanding role as a company executive, she reflects, “It’s the same amount of stress as any working parent faces. Having a C-suite title does not make it any more difficult.”

To unwind, Lee enjoys vacationing with her family, cooking, and gardening.

By Jessica Robaire

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Su Lin Wee: Executive Director, Head of Asset Management, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & China, PGIM Real Estate

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Su Lin Wee“The thread that ties my previous roles together, and I am most grateful for, is strong mentorship,” says Su Lin Wee. “But it’s a two-way street: you have to show up, put in the hours and deliver results.”

Wee, who is based in Singapore, delves into the foundational experiences that influenced her approach to leadership and her dedication to uplifting others – especially women.

From architecture to asset management

From the outset of her career, Wee has been inspired by strong women leaders. After earning her master’s in architecture, she joined Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and played a key role in shaping the modern urban landscape of Singapore’s historically-rich Bras Basah and Bugis districts in the heart of the city.

“Working directly with successful women leaders was a great start to my career,” Wee says. “I served under many high performing women who were in CEO, Chief Planner and department head roles during my time at the URA. Starting out in an environment with strong female leadership made it feel natural, and I was fortunate to have great role models who gave me many opportunities to learn and grow.”

When Wee transitioned from urban planning to real estate development and asset management, she again found the support of mentors to be instrumental to her growth.

As a development lead for Asian developer, CapitaLand, Wee signed up for the challenge of delivering a $1.2 billion USD retail and office development in Singapore from the ground up, while facing a tight budget, short timeline and a competing developer nearby who already had a head start.

“Despite my prior experience with previous projects, stepping into the role of a development lead for such a large project presented new challenges. Managing a team that included individuals senior to me, in both age and experience, required respectful navigation and was a two-way street.”

Wee adds, “I had to work hard to earn the trust of the team to show them that I was the right person to lead the project. I benefited from the great support from my manager who gave me invaluable lessons in building trust and leadership skills, through his advocacy and close mentorship.”

The project was completed on time and within budget, and Wee speaks fondly of the great team rapport and lasting relationships that she built throughout this experience.

Wee’s experience at CapitaLand helped prepare her for her current role as Head of Asset Management for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & China at PGIM Real Estate, which manages $206 billion USD of assets globally, including $9.4 billion USD in Asia Pacific. She is thrilled to engage in fulfilling work across various geographies and diverse teams to make a positive impact.

“The funds we manage generate more than financial value–we deploy solutions to ensure that buildings we construct or enhance are more sustainable, energy-efficient and help conserve water.”

Committed to empowering her team

Given the pivotal role mentorship has played in shaping Wee as a leader, it’s unsurprising that she is a passionate advocate for others, taking a strong interest in her team members’ growth, even if it means that they might move on to another team or company.

“I encourage openness about career aspirations. If there is another role beyond asset management that they are interested in, then I provide honest feedback on their fit for the role. If they choose to leave because it’s what’s good for them and makes them happy, then I am happy, since I want them to be able to grow.”

Wee also makes it a point of ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.

“I value the diversity in our teams and always encourage some of our quieter, more reserved team members to speak up. Going around the table and giving them space to express their points of view lets everyone benefit from different perspectives.”

Wee firmly believes that a positive, encouraging environment is key to getting women to speak up more and make their opinions heard at work. “There’s no need to wait until you’re in a leadership position to be an advocate. Simple day-to-day acts like showing an active interest in a colleague’s ideas on a call, or helping them develop these ideas, can go a long way.”

Recently completing a PGIM leadership training, Wee reflects on how the experience reminded her that asserting one’s viewpoint can be challenging, even for leaders.

“As women, we sometimes second-guess ourselves before speaking or voicing our opinions. It turned out that many of the attendees at the training sessions, regardless of gender, nationality, background or even how confident they looked to me, shared that they sometimes felt hesitant to speak in a group and would rather stay silent than risk saying something contradictory.”

Wee continues, “Once we get over that initial hesitation, we realize, ‘Hey, the world hasn’t come crashing down, regardless of what we’ve said. Now, it’s just muscle memory to focus on contributing to discussions and bringing everyone forward.’”

Quieting the inner critic

Wee admits to being the hardest on herself, often setting increasingly high standards for her accomplishments.

“I am my own worst critic, and I believe many women face this too. We tend to be hard on ourselves, but it’s important to also recognize when we’ve earned our place through hard work, skills and experience.”

Creating networking opportunities for current and future women leaders

Uplifting others beyond the workplace, Wee is the co-chair of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), a non-profit that focuses on raising the visibility and number of women leaders in the real estate industry. In her role, Wee creates programs that provide opportunities for younger women to network with industry leaders in an informal environment.

“The WLI programs we plan aim to break down barriers and allow women to listen and connect with senior leaders.” She asserts, “Sometimes, all you need is a friendly face and an introduction.”

From her experience, Wee understands the impact that these relationships can have and is looking forward to continuing her work with the WLI in the future.

“It’s invigorating to interact with other women and help one another network and grow.”

Outside of work, Wee enjoys running to stay fit and find time to think. Despite her busy schedule as a mother and professional, she regularly makes time for a run – even while on vacation with her family. No matter where she travels, she always packs her running shoes, ready to explore her new environment.

By Jessica Robaire

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Jennifer Doyle: Managing Director, Co-head of Structured Products Group, Wells Fargo

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Jennifer Doyle“Life is about picking yourself up when you get knocked down. Those who do that the best are the ones who tend to be the most successful, however you might define success,” says Jennifer Doyle.

Tenacious in the face of challenge, Doyle is a leader who does not quit. She shares how this mentality of perseverance and optimism has helped build her career and shaped her life.

Moving Forward for Success

Starting as a temp more than twenty years ago, Doyle describes the opportunity of getting in the door working on the trading floor as “winning a lottery ticket” and paving the way to the career she has today. Being surrounded by intelligent people in a fast-moving, competitive environment that is also relationship-focused felt perfectly aligned with her personality and strengths.

“As a former college athlete, I like to compete, I like to win, and I like to be part of a team. I also enjoy making decisions and operating in a fast-paced environment. It was a fit from the beginning.”

Fast forward to today and Doyle is a Managing Director and co-head of the Structured Products Group at Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Bank. However, she will be the first to tell you that success does not happen overnight.

“There is a certain tenacity and grit that is required to be successful in this business. If you can cherish the highs and reinvent yourself and pick yourself up when things get hard, that resiliency in time will keep you moving in the right direction.”

Doyle approaches her life outside of work with the same mentality of persevering when the going gets tough and recognizing that she has agency in the process. It served her well in dealing with the shocking experience of being one of the passengers whose plane crash-landed in the Hudson River 15 years ago while on a business trip.

She reflects, “If you went into that experience an optimist, I think you came out even more of an optimist. If you went into that experience as a pessimist, I think you came out even more of a pessimist. We all experienced the same thing, but everyone had a different interpretation of what happened and how it affected them.”

For Doyle, her optimistic outlook and belief that she needed to keep moving forward meant that she got on a plane the next day because she “did not want fear to rule my life.” She adds, “I tell my children happiness is a choice. I choose to be happy, and if I was unable to make that choice today, then I’m going to try to make that choice tomorrow.”

Sponsorship and Speaking with Authenticity

Beyond resilience and determination, Doyle points to having the support of others as integral to her career. She shares how the kind of support she needed shifted over time as she continued to build confidence, finding there is strength in speaking with authenticity.

“As I developed in my career, the sponsors that I acquired would later tell me that the reason they took an interest was because I brought a different perspective and opinion to the table.” She continues, “People wanted to hear what I had to say because they recognized that I didn’t have an ulterior motive, I was genuine.”

As a leader, Doyle mentors and sponsors others in both formal and informal capacities, often finding her calendar full of people interested in connecting to get her advice or opinion. Being sought after for her point of view is a direct reflection of others seeing she genuinely cares and takes an interest in their growth.

“My mission is to lead in a way that balances the needs of the business and our employees – and ultimately drives positive outcomes for both. I’m always thinking about what’s best for our team and what’s best for our clients. That approach has cultivated a desire for people to want to talk to me and get advice.”

Doyle has twice been the head of Wells Fargo’s WomenGoFar network, as well as its executive sponsor. She also is a sponsor for BOLD, a program designed to provide mentorship and sponsorship to high-potential talent at the firm.

Challenging the Norm

As determined as she is to persevere in the face of obstacles, Doyle is also unafraid to challenge the norm stating, “I do think I am a change agent. It probably took me 20 years to have the courage to say that.” She speaks to the recent experience of being a woman in a leadership role playing in the Wells Fargo Pro-Am Golf Tournament and what it meant for her to participate.

“I was blown away by the response that I got from women, so many of whom pulled me aside afterwards to tell me how inspirational it was seeing me play in what was publicly a field of men.”

One comment that was particularly touching to Doyle was a woman who said, “you’re breaking the mold.” Intentionally participating in the tournament to prove that a woman could do it, Doyle is thrilled by the response of her colleagues – both men and women.

“As a leader, I now have the opportunity to challenge and change what people consider to be the norm, and I actively do so.”

Using a Passion for Golf to Connect to Community and Family

Taking her passion for golf beyond breaking molds at work, Doyle is on the board of First Tee of Charlotte, an organization that provides opportunities for youth who would not otherwise typically have the opportunity to play golf.

“It integrates the game of golf with character-building learning experiences and emphasizes values such as honesty, integrity, confidence and perseverance. And of course, they have fun.”

Doyle is also passionate about bringing the game of golf to more women, not only because it is typically a more male-dominated sport, but because she herself has gained so much from the sport.

“It provides an opportunity from a business connectivity standpoint to play with clients or colleagues. I love being outside and in nature, getting exercise by walking the course, and it’s a chance for me to spend time with our children.”

Doyle admits that one of the reasons she got into golf was because her spouse and children enjoyed the game, and she didn’t want to be left out. Now that her children are teenagers, she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be active with them outdoors for an extended period without distractions like smartphones. It also ties into her approach of managing a successful career and time with her family.

“I am really present. It’s not about quantity, but about the quality in everything you do, whether it’s at work or being with your family.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Elyssa McMullen: Managing Director, Head of Credit Tenant Lease Financing, PGIM Private Capital

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Elyssa McMullen“Having confidence and the ability to bring your true self to work gives you the space to ask for help, engage with others, network and live the life you will enjoy living,” says Elyssa McMullen.

Leading with conviction and passion, McMullen exemplifies how bringing your authentic self to work can create meaningful connections and drive success. As an LGBTQ+ ally and the daughter of a gay man who did not come out until much later in life, she also acknowledges the challenges some face in feeling free to fully express themselves at work or elsewhere.

“My father lived most of his life unable to be his authentic self, knowing he was gay as a teen. Today, I feel we’ve made such strides as a society, encouraging people to be their true selves and celebrating it, which I encourage my kids to do.”

McMullen reflects on how being confident in expressing herself and fostering an environment where others can do the same has helped her build a successful career and a supportive community.

Finding a natural fit

After more than 25 years in the financial industry, McMullen is certain she found a role that suits her well. However, like many leaders, she reached this point in her career through the process of exploration and adjustment, which she did by identifying areas of personal development and prioritized growth in those areas by putting herself in situations to improve in those dimensions.

Recognizing her strong math skills, and with encouragement from her family, she initially pursued engineering at Virginia Tech but quickly realized she chose a major that others thought she should be doing – not a major that felt right to her – so, she trusted her instincts and switched to finance. Since graduating and joining PGIM, McMullen has steadily climbed the ranks, advancing from associate analyst to her current role as managing director, where she leads the Credit Tenant Lease Financing team. In this role, she is responsible for managing a team that sources, structures and manages credit tenant lease transactions globally.

She reflects, “Once you find something that’s a natural fit, what you do day in and day out doesn’t feel difficult. That intersection of finding where your skills are with something that’s interesting to you makes work more enjoyable.”

Discovering a career that aligned with her natural abilities also ignited her passion and conviction.

“I’ve learned to make sure that you’re giving your energy to the right thing. Having conviction and passion and being able to moderate that with other perspectives and points of view is important and helps create balance on a team.”

McMullen feels fortunate to channel her enthusiasm and dedication within PGIM Private Capital, which enables her to embrace her entrepreneurial mindset. She is energized by exploring new ways to grow the business and providing opportunities for junior team members to contribute to that innovative way of thinking.

“I’ve had the opportunity to hire more people and create opportunities for others to help grow our business. It has been really exciting to foster the careers of junior talent and help them learn, develop their careers and achieve their goals.”

Inspiring others to find their confidence and voice

Early in her career, McMullen had the confidence to speak up and voice her opinion, but she acknowledges that her success also depended on having leaders who listened and took her seriously. Now, as a leader, she strives to do the same for others.

“As leaders, we must empower junior employees to speak their minds and give them a safe space to share their point of view. We have to value their perspectives, even if we disagree with them. It’s important to listen and create this platform for our team.” She emphasizes, “The onus is on leaders to ensure that as they move into more senior roles, they don’t lose sight of the fresh perspectives that others around them have.”

PGIM Private Capital’s structure of small deal teams offers junior analysts the opportunity to learn and interact with senior leaders, gain experience and have agency in the process.

“In our meetings, I have the analysts on our team present transactions that they’re working on and their portfolio investments as a way of encouraging them to be vocal, gain confidence and demonstrate that their contributions to the team are seen, heard and matter.”

She continues, “I think it makes me a better investor, and us a better team, when everyone’s working on the same goal, has the same objective and is engaged in the process because they feel valued for their contributions.”

Giving to others…as a leader, mother and daughter

McMullen is equally as nurturing in her personal life as she is in her professional one. Not only is she the primary caregiver for her elderly father, but she is also the mother of two active teenagers and spends a lot of her time engaging in her children’s extracurricular activities and volunteering.

“I try to instill the idea of giving back to our community in my children by encouraging them to volunteer in work that aligns with their interests,” she says. For her daughter who loves to play soccer, this means volunteering with a group that pairs soccer buddies with kids who have disabilities. For her son, it has been volunteering through Boy Scouts and temple initiatives.

Creating a community of support

While McMullen knows how important it is to serve as a support system for others, she also recognizes the importance of having a strong support system to tap into for herself as well.

“Building communities around you are key to your success – these are the people that you rely and depend on. Having this network – the colleagues, friends, family, and for me, mothers in my community – has helped me thrive in my personal and professional life.”

Once she became a mother, working to create that community of support helped her become better at reaching out and developing a network in the workplace. McMullen is looking forward to further building those relationships as a program leader at an upcoming industry conference. “It’s wonderful that there is organizational support around fostering community and those professional connections,” she says.

Another community that McMullen taps into is her running group, which she not only uses to stay active, but for the social and emotional outlet as well. Her group of friends hit the pavement – rain or shine to train for races – and have even done a couple marathons together. When creating networks of support, both in and outside the office, McMullen admits that there is no magic when it comes to managing her time and energy. For her, it’s about adapting to the needs of the moment and keeping what is truly important top of mind.

“It’s important to prioritize and be present for your kids when it matters, while also being there for your team and colleagues who need you. Managing these responsibilities looks different every day and won’t always feel balanced or eliminate guilt. But, having clear objectives and striving towards them helps you feel like you’re moving in the right direction.”

By Jessica Robaire

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Lauren Uranker: Managing Director, Head of Workplace Advisory Client Business, Goldman Sachs Ayco

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Lauren Uranker“Having that part of yourself where you have to navigate the if, how, and when to share it with people, you soon realize that everyone has pieces of themselves that they have to decide how and when to show or not show on an everyday basis,” says Lauren Uranker. “Acknowledging that everyone has a story creates empathy.”

As a leader and an openly lesbian executive, Uranker has built her career on a foundation of empathy and understanding. In her roles as the head of Workplace Advisory Client Business for Goldman Sachs Ayco and the co-head of the Americas LGBTQ+ Client Engagement Pillar at the firm, she navigates the complexities of leadership with a unique perspective shaped by her personal and professional experiences.

“When you spend time figuring out who you are as a person, what that means in the context of your life and your relationships with family and friends, it prepares you to do it professionally. It prepares you to give a lot of thought to how you show up as a colleague and how you show up as someone who supports clients. It gets you comfortable with constantly evaluating who you are as an individual, and how you’re growing and changing as time goes on.”

Uranker reflects on what she attributes to her success, highlighting her authentic leadership style, commitment to mentorship and diversity, and openness to taking on roles that broaden her experience and skillset in different ways.

“I haven’t always looked up to the next thing. Sometimes, by looking laterally and across, you accumulate diverse professional experiences that make you well-rounded. This can eventually lead to being seen as an expert or someone sought after to be a part of the team.”

For Uranker, being open to a lateral move is what put her on the trajectory to the leadership role she is in today.

“I was on the path to become a financial advisor, but a mentor of mine said, ‘There’s actually an opportunity on the institutional sales team.’ I took that leap. It felt like a diversion at the time, but it set me on an incredible path. From the sales team I then joined the relationship management function and even though that was a lateral move, having those two diverse professional experiences helped me get to the seat I’m in today.”

How Finance Became a Career Path

The story of Uranker’s path to leadership at Goldman Sachs Ayco connects back to a difficult period of her life when she suffered the loss of her father at the age of sixteen.

She remembers, “what really stuck with me were the people who came to help us. One of them was my neighbor, who sat down with my mom at the kitchen table, helping her organize her finances and navigate her new financial reality.” Years later while contemplating a career pivot, she recalled her neighbor’s kindness and decided to reach out, discovering that her neighbor worked at Goldman Sachs Ayco. “That’s how I found my way here, a little over a decade ago and I was proud to be named Managing Director in 2021.”

In addition to leading with empathy, she attributes her success to her competitiveness, strong listening skills, and sense of humor.

She explains, “as a former college basketball player, that competitive instinct has always been embedded in me and certainly helps professionally.” Coupling that competitive spirit with the humility to listen and the empathy to understand, she recognizes that, “you don’t always have to be the first person to speak. Sometimes your words can be more powerful if you use fewer of them.”

Uranker also highlights how humor can go a long way to creating connections as it can be used to “lighten intense moments and to drive home a point while building relationships.”

Mentorship and Sponsorship Across Diverse Communities

Uranker acknowledges that no leader succeeds alone and feels fortunate to have had mentors and managers who recognized her skills and potential, helping to build her confidence early in her career. She hopes to do the same for others and is excited to be a part of programs at Goldman that foster those relationships.

“Goldman has done quite a bit to establish frameworks that connect senior people to more junior folks in their career, but also paying special attention to diverse communities. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to be a mentor in our Black and Hispanic Analyst and Associate Initiatives.”

Uranker finds mentoring to be mutually rewarding as she learns from her mentee’s experiences and appreciates how their generationally different viewpoints can generate fresh ideas for improving the business.

Speaking specifically to the LGBTQ+ community, she notes that most of her mentorships and sponsorships have been informal, with people seeking her out after seeing her speak or knowing about her role in leading the LGBTQ+ Client Engagement Pillar. In reflecting on how young LGBTQ+ folks might create those informal connections, Uranker advocates for finding “someone who you want to spend time with and talk to; not forcing a relationship or a mentorship.” She also emphasizes not being afraid to ask, even if it might seem intimidating.

“There was a mentor I had who said, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get’. I think particularly for women it’s a great reminder to make your voice heard. Put your hand up and ask because the worst thing that can happen is, someone says, no.”

Embracing Additional Leadership Opportunities

Uranker’s approach to building leadership experience includes formal and voluntary approaches, as she is co-head of the Americas LGBTQ+ Client Engagement pillar and serves on the Asset & Wealth Management Inclusion & Diversity Council. She underscores the benefits of participating in and holding leadership positions in these groups, particularly at a large company like Goldman Sachs.

“First, it gives you a great way to meet people across the firm that you may not have met otherwise. Also, it provides people with an additional opportunity to flex leadership muscles and to demonstrate those skills in a different environment, perhaps one that might feel more natural to them and who they are as a person.”

Uranker shares how networks like the LGBTQ+ Inclusion Network foster cross-divisional collaboration and bring clients together in a meaningful way.

“We always look for interesting ways to gather our LGBTQ+ clients and regularly put together events to engage with them. We have one coming up in celebration of Pride.” She continues, “Coordinating events like that are a really fulfilling and fun opportunity to work cross-divisionally in a big organization and have the LGBTQ+ piece be the common thread. Through the network, I have had the opportunity to work closely with colleagues in other areas of the firm I don’t typically connect with in my day-to-day role including Mary Baccash, Nora Cruz, and Molly English. These are among the most meaningful partnerships I’ve formed at the firm.”

Dedicated to Community Engagement

Passionate about contributing to the LGBTQ+ community, Uranker served on the board of the Persad Center, an organization in Pittsburgh that provides scalable and free mental health access to the LGBTQ+ community.

“Like many people, I believe that taking care of your mental health is incredibly important and knowing some of the challenges within the LGBTQ+ community, it’s even more important that access to these resources exist.”

After moving from Pittsburgh to Seattle recently, Uranker continues to look for opportunities to give back and is thrilled that Goldman demonstrates this same commitment to philanthropy through programs including Community Teamworks. She explains, “through the program, employees are encouraged to take at least one day to volunteer with their colleagues in their communities. Last year, I had the opportunity to clean up some of the trails here in the Seattle region for hikers, which I really enjoyed.”

Outside of work, Uranker makes sure to take some time to decompress by practicing yoga. She also enjoys playing basketball, traveling with her wife, and reading. Interestingly, her book recommendations demonstrate that she is as much a well-rounded reader as she is leader, noting that she recently read and loved the nonfiction book, “Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention” by Johann Hari and the memoir “Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner.

By Jessica Robaire

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