Events

We’re thrilled to be partnering with St. Louis Women in Investments Network on this virtual summer networking event featuring a workshop with Jane Marcus, Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry.

Networking isn’t always at the top of our to-do-list, especially in today’s virtual environment.  It can be both rewarding and sometimes awkward.  Depending upon your personality, you can be a natural connector or feel challenged to reach out beyond your comfort zone.  But there is no denying that a strong professional network can contribute to your career success and your personal development.  When done well, networking can give you a competitive edge throughout every stage of your career.

Please join us for a virtual summer networking event featuring a workshop by Jane Marcus, Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry followed by the opportunity to connect with other financial professionals virtually.  Come prepared with your favorite summer cocktail!

Ms. Marcus is a leading member of the firm’s Asset Management and Wealth Management Sectors, within the Global Financial Services Market.

Before joining Korn Ferry, Jane led the global asset and wealth management practice at another global executive search firm. Her prior search experience includes thirteen years with the Chicago office of a large executive recruitment firm, where she led the firm’s Midwest asset management practice.

With over thirty years of experience, Jane is a prominent asset management executive search professional, who has carved out a strong reputation at the highest levels of organizations in the financial services industry. Her broad and deep exposure in this sector ensure she understands client challenges and can advise on the most effective leadership solutions.

She has led numerous Board, Chief Executive Officer, C-suite, and other senior-level engagements for clients across the financial services spectrum from institutional asset management firms, insurance companies, and mutual funds to endowments, foundations, private banking firms, and family offices.

Jane is a member of Women in America (WIA), a unique professional development and mentoring program whose goal it is to enable promising female executives to fulfill their highest potential. She is also on the board of WINGS, an organization dedicated to providing a pathway to independence for people whose lives have been disrupted by domestic violence.

Ms. Marcus earned a master of management degree (with distinction) from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management of Northwestern University, as well as both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of fine arts degree from Stephens College. Jane is on the Board of Trustees of Stephens College.

SAVE THE DATE!

Women Investment Professionals is pleased to announce the expansion of its longstanding and popular Member’s Only Educational Series with a new name – “What’s Important Now” or “WIN.”  With the WIN Series of events Members will continue to be able to attend for free as just one of the benefits of membership. This year’s WIN series will investigate The Impact of Technology, Algorithms, and Artificial Intelligence on the Investment Industry.

The Impact of AI/Technology on the Investment Management Industry

Artificial Intelligence is impacting every function in our industry.  It’s most often associated with the investment process, but algorithms are also being used to mine the market for new clients and assess the retention risk with existing ones.  Technology is also automating significant portions of a firm’s back office and administration functions. In 2020 the Women Investment Professionals WIN series (previously Members Only series) will explore each of these functional areas and bring you up to date on the latest technology and artificial intelligence trends from the perspective of how it will impact your role at the firm and how you can make your human self an invaluable asset in reaching the firm’s goals This first session will focus on the likely changes in the the areas of distribution and marketing from the points of view of investment managers, consultants and technology experts. The panel will discuss: identifying and servicing clients, the use of algorithms and the introduction of Robo-Advisors.

MODERATOR:
Sabrina Bailey
SVP, Head of Digital Investment Advice
Northern Trust

Sabrina Bailey is the head of digital investment advice for Northern Trust Asset Management and a member of the Asset Management Leadership Council. In her role, Sabrina leads the Emotomy business and is responsible for embracing and leveraging technological advances to develop a comprehensive business strategy to deliver innovative, client-focused digital investment offerings.
In 2017, Sabrina was named Distinguished Woman Investment Professional of the year by Women Investment Professionals. In 2016, Sabrina was named a “40 under 40” by Crain’s Chicago Business, being selected for the business leadership honor from more than 1,000 nominees. She has addressed various industry groups at conferences and been quoted in the press (Financial Times, Pension and Investments, PLANSPONSOR, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal).
In her prior role at Northern Trust, Sabrina was the global head of retirement solutions with responsibility for the development and deployment of Northern Trust’s retirement strategy globally. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Sabrina served as the U.S. defined contribution segment leader for Mercer Investments. In her role, she was responsible for building Mercer Investments’ DC business through leadership of senior consultants across the U.S. and the deployment of innovative solutions, manager research and intellectual capital to consultants, clients and the market. Prior to her role at Mercer, Sabrina was a member of Towers Watson’s North American leadership team and provided investment consulting services to large asset owners. Before joining Towers Watson, Sabrina held management, investment consulting and manager research positions at RogersCasey, Arnerich Massena & Associates and PRIMCO Capital Management in Portland, Oregon.
Sabrina received her bachelor’s in business economics and management and her MBA in organizational leadership from George Fox University. She is an active member of the Chicago Finance Exchange and the Defined Contribution Institutional Investment Association where she serves on the Editorial Review Board. She serves on the Board of the Chicago chapter of the Salvation Army and is actively involved in local and global community service through various not-for-profit organizations.

PANELISTS:

Ben Blaisdell, CFA, CAIA
Managing Director, Solutions Oversight & Data Analytics
GWIM, Bank of America Corporation

Ben Blaisdell is a Managing Director, and Head of Solutions Oversight & Data Analytics for Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), a division of Bank of America Corporation.  In this role, Ben is responsible for systematic review of GWIM’s investment offerings across the firm’s portfolios and Investments.  This also includes the development of many of the Chief Investment Office’s quantitative functions including investment screening, analytical modeling, automation, data procurement, artificial intelligence and tool development.

Ben is a voting member of the Due Diligence Investment Committee (DDIC) which governs the firm’s ratings and recommendations on investment managers.  He joined Bank of America in 2005 and has been a member of the investment community since 1997.  Most recently he was charged with the third party offerings at U.S. Trust where he shared both platform and oversight responsibilities.  He also held prior positions at Commonwealth Financial Network and Morgan Stanley where he conducting portfolio reviews, advised on asset allocation and risk management, investment manager due diligence and alternative investments for both financial advisors and clients.

Ben graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations and is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society. Ben also serves as Co-President of the board at Pleon Yacht Club, the oldest junior yacht club in the country, and is a frequent public speaker for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund.

Kelly Conway
Managing Director
Accenture

Kelley Conway is a Managing Director at Accenture, a member of the Financial Services leadership team.  She leads the Technology Advisory practice, partnering with clients to drive practical and rapid business impact by strategically applying new technologies and approaches such as Agile-DevOps, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Blockchain.  Kelley brings 25 years of experience, and is a recognized leader in financial services, regularly presenting at industry conferences and publishing thought leadership.  A passionate advocate of diversity, she is a member of Leadership Greater Chicago class of 2018 and sits on the board of Year Up Chicago.

Joanna Kanakis
Director of Enterprise Sales
Halo Investing

Joanna Kanakis is Director of Enterprise Sales at Halo Investing, LLC. In her role, Joanna is leading sales initiatives to institutional clients in the Americas, working to democratize and disrupt the world of defined outcome investing. At Halo, she is working to provide efficient access for investors to understand and purchase structured notes, annuities and structured ETFs.

Prior to Halo, Joanna was a Director in the Prime Services Division of Global Markets for Societe Generale. There, she lead Midwest sales efforts across global markets products for institutional clients and led sales development in Latin America including Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. She also participated as Culture and Conduct Champion, America Women’s Network Co-chair of Client Events, Global Markets Future Leaders participant in 2016, and won the Global Markets Division Global Cooperation Sales award in 2015. Before Societe Generale Joanna worked as a Sales-Trader at Newedge and Credit Agricole, finding and fostering relationships with institutional clients to provide voice execution and direct market access to global listed derivatives and options markets, sitting on the front lines throughout the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath. Prior to working for the French, Joanna spent a brief 6 month stint in Anchorage, Alaska working for Rise Alaska as a Project Management Assistant.

Ms. Kanakis graduated magna cum laude from North Park University with a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy. In 2016, Joanna received the North Park Distinguished Young Alumni Award. Joanna current serves on the Advisory Board for North Park University’s School of Business and Non-Profit Management and she also serves as Co-Chair of Women in ETFs Chicago chapter. Joanna is raising her family in Ukranian Village and you may find her at the Empty Bottle catching a good show or running along the 606 in her ever narrowing free time.

The panel will be followed by a cocktail reception. Registration is required.