Investment research: Accessible and collaborative

After hearing upperclassmen in our finance and investing club speak about their experiences at the Parker Center for Investment Research’s Women in Investing Conference — abbreviated “WIN” — Sarina Lalin ’28, Constance Sharp ’28, and I decided to participate and apply to the stock pitch competition to gain feedback from industry experts.

Preparing for the conference

Preparing for the competition was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire experience. It pushed us to think critically, refine our research process, and develop a clear, well-supported investment thesis.

We decided to pitch StandardAero (NYSE: SARO), an aircraft engine maintenance and repair company. We expected to build a long thesis, but our research pointed us in a different direction. What seemed like a stable aviation-services business revealed several challenges that led us to recommend a short. Shifting our view through the research process reminded us of the importance of staying objective and letting the analysis guide the final call.

Day 1: Opening insights

The WIN conference opened on Thursday evening with a networking reception at the Tata Innovation Center with investment research professionals and students from universities across the country. Lakshmi Bhojraj ’95, MBA ’01, founder of the WIN conferences, welcomed attendees and emphasized the mission to support and empower undergraduates pursuing careers in investing.

The evening continued with a keynote dinner featuring Kathleen McCarthy, vice president and global analyst at Dodge & Cox. McCarthy shared insights from her career in asset management and reflected on the qualities that make strong long-term investors, including curiosity, independent thinking, and a disciplined research process. Her remarks set an inspiring tone and encouraged us to approach the next day’s sessions with confidence and open minds.

Day 2

As we woke up Friday morning, we were eager and energized for a full day of programming. The morning began with a keynote breakfast hosted by Causeway Capital Management, where Ellen Lee, director and fundamental portfolio manager, and Dave Hissey, director of national accounts, discussed their approach to global investing and the importance of developing a consistent, long-term research process. They encouraged us to think critically about how macro trends shape bottom-up analysis.

Then we transitioned into the stock pitch showcase, one of the most anticipated components of the WIN experience. Teams presented their investment recommendations to panels of judges in breakout classrooms across the Cornell Tech campus. We delivered our StandardAero pitch alongside students from Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Boston University.

Judges asked thoughtful questions that pushed teams to defend their assumptions, clarify key drivers, and articulate the reasoning behind their recommendations. We were thrilled when our team placed in the top two in our room. The other presentations were impressive, which made the recognition feel especially meaningful. Receiving direct feedback from industry professionals strengthened our understanding of how real investment discussions unfolded and affirmed the value of the work we had put into our pitch.

Following the pitch sessions, students gathered for a round robin networking event. For two hours, attendees visited tables hosted by leading firms in fundamental investing, including Dodge & Cox, Capital Group, Fidelity Investments, Harris | Oakmark, Raymond James, T. Rowe Price and Causeway Capital. The conversations offered a firsthand look at what research analysts do and how different firms approach long-term investing. Many professionals shared advice on building strong investment judgment early in one’s career; the importance of mentorship; and how junior analysts can contribute meaningfully within their teams.

The conference concluded with a keynote luncheon panel hosted by Capital Group, featuring Najah Abouelafia, Brittain Ezzes, Rob Grube, Grace Madziyire and Andrea Montero. The panelists shared reflections from their careers in equity and fixed-income research, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, strong mentorship and developing a consistent research process. The panelists also spoke about navigating market uncertainty and the value of learning from experienced investors. The conversation offered a look at many paths within asset management and reinforced the conference’s central themes of thoughtful research, collaboration and continuous learning.

Reflections and takeaways

The WIN Conference was an incredibly meaningful experience. Preparing for the stock pitch strengthened our research skills, teamwork, and ability to think independently, while the conference itself broadened our understanding careers in asset management.

Across every session, a common message emerged: thoughtful research, intellectual curiosity and strong mentorship are at the core of successful investing. Meeting professionals from leading firms and hearing their perspectives made the industry feel both accessible and collaborative. The opportunity to learn from peers reinforced the value of diverse viewpoints in investment decision-making.

As we returned to campus, my team and I felt more confident in our abilities and more excited about exploring future opportunities in investing. The conference deepened our interest in fundamental research and highlighted the importance of creating spaces where students can learn, grow and lead within the industry.

About the author

Sophia Thompson ’28 is a sophomore studying mathematics and data science. On campus, she is the vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Cornell Hedge Fund Club and an analyst in BlackGen Capital. Last summer, she interned for a private investment firm, Archivist.