15th WIN Conference: Fostering Community
From left: David Breazzano, MBA ’80, Ekta Kumar, Monica Zhao, Alyssa Mu, Dedipya Tippavaghula, Adebusola Anibi, Lakshmi Bhojraj ’98, MBA ’01, Lisa McEnery, Violet Chen, Jay Li, Priya Rauniyar, and Andrew Karolyi at the 2024 MBA Women in Investing Conference. (Photo by Bryce Vickmark)
This November, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Cornell MBA Women in Investing (WIN) Conference in Boston, MA, founded by Lakshmi Bhojraj ’95, MBA ’01, executive director of the Parker Center for Investment Research. The conference brings together ambitious MBA students from around the country and industry leaders from top investment firms. Over the course of two days, the conference provided an opportunity to learn, network, and share insights about the investment management industry in a supportive and empowering environment.
Fast-paced and insightful speed networking sessions
The conference began with two round-robin networking sessions. In the first round, I engaged with representatives from corporate sponsors Fidelity Investments, American Century Investments, Artisan Partners, Dodge & Cox, Frontier Capital Management, and Viking Global Investors. In the second round of speed networking, I met with representatives from Capital Group, Causeway Capital Management, Janus Henderson Investors, Fayez Sarofim & Co., PIMCO, and Polen Capital. These fast-paced, insightful sessions allowed me to interact with multiple investment research professionals while discussing trends in the industry and providing opportunities for growth. The reception that followed allowed us to mingle with peers from other schools and company representatives in a more relaxed setting. Dave Breazzano MBA ’80, chief investment officer of Polen Capital, made opening remarks, encouraging attendees to consider careers in the investment management industry.
Keynote address: Camille Carlstrom
A standout moment was the keynote dinner on Thursday evening. SC Johnson College of Business Dean Andrew Karolyi made opening remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Camille Carlstrom, the chief investment officer at Fidelity Investments, who shared her investment management career journey. She spoke about the lessons she had learned, emphasizing the importance of resilience and adaptability and of building inclusive spaces in finance. Her advice about finding a unique voice in the industry was the highlight of the evening.
Stock pitch showcase and investment management panels
Friday began with the stock pitch showcase. The Cornell University team presented Crocs (CROX) to a panel of judges, which was both challenging and rewarding. Being on the stock pitch team helped me refine my analytical skills and present a compelling argument under pressure.
Additionally, I introduced the panel discussions “How to Generate Investment Ideas” and “How to Interview Management,” moderated by Scott Stewart, MBA ’83, PhD ’85. These panels deepened my understanding of finance and the investment management sector at large. Hearing seasoned professionals break down their strategies and experiences made the sessions engaging and relevant.
The conference wrapped up with a keynote luncheon panel featuring accomplished leaders from Capital Group. The panelists discussed the qualities that lead to success in investment management including curiosity, grit, and the ability to collaborate. Their personal stories and candid advice were a perfect conclusion to the event.
A renewed sense of purpose
The most memorable part of the WIN Conference was the focus on fostering a community among women in investment management. Being surrounded by passionate peers and accomplished professionals created a sense of belonging and empowerment that is often rare in male-dominated fields. The conference not only expanded my technical knowledge, but reinforced my belief that with the right tools and support, woman can excel and lead in these fields.
Leaving Boston, I felt more inspired to pursue my goals in the industry. The WIN Conference was a transformative experience that gave me a valuable opportunity to enhance my skills, make meaningful connections, and renew my sense of purpose.
About the author
Ekta Kumar, MBA ’25 is a second-year MBA student at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. On campus, she is involved in the Johnson Private Equity and Credit Club, the Ski and Snowboard Club, and the Johnson Consulting Club. Kumar is a portfolio manager for the Cayuga Fund. Prior to pursuing her MBA, she was a senior financial data analyst for the Bank of Montreal.