The award will be presented to Ms. Lenzo at the annual WIP Trailblazer hybrid event on October 14, 2021.
(CHICAGO, IL – September 20, 2021)
Women Investment Professionals (“WIP”), a leading not-for-profit organization for women in the investment management industry, announced the winner of its prestigious “Distinguished Woman Investment Professional of the Year” award: Leslie Lenzo, Chief Investment Officer at Advocate Aurora Health.
Leslie K. Lenzo, CFA serves as Chief Investment Officer at Advocate Aurora Health in Illinois and Wisconsin. In her role at Advocate Aurora, she oversees the investment of $14 billion in corporate and pension assets. She also oversees the investment options available in the organization’s $8 billion defined contribution plans. Prior to Advocate Aurora, Ms. Lenzo was a senior member of the investment team at Northwestern Memorial Healthcare in Chicago. She also serves on the investment committee of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and on the investment advisory group of Adventist Health. Ms. Lenzo resides in Downers Grove, IL with her husband and four young sons.
“Leslie has been a true trailblazer in the investment industry, with many professional and personal accomplishments.” said Nancy Prial, President of Women Investment Professionals. “As Chief Investment Officer for one of the twelve largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in the country, she successfully overhauled a pension plan, built a team of investment professionals and helped execute a huge merger — in a sector that was among the hardest hit by the pandemic. An active WIP member for many years, Leslie has shared her time, knowledge, and insights as a speaker on several panels. She has also been a vigorous advocate for diversity and inclusion.”
The “Distinguished Woman Investment Professional” award is intended to recognize a leading professional woman for her contributions and achievements in the investment management industry. Nominations for the award recipient are put forth by WIP members and winners are selected by the WIP Board of Directors. The award is presented at WIP’s annual Trailblazer Dinner, which focuses on celebrating women who inspire others to achieve personal and professional excellence. This year’s hybrid (in-person and virtual) event will take place on October 14, 2021 at The University Club of Chicago. Lauren Dillard, Executive Vice President at Nasdaq Investment Intelligence, will be the keynote speaker.
The event is made possible through the generosity of WIP’s corporate sponsors:
· Platinum Sponsors: JACKSON, Legal & General Investment Management America, Northern Trust, Nuveen, Putnam Investments
· Gold Sponsors: AEGON Asset Management, AON, BlackRock, EVESTMENT, Mesirow, Lord Abbett, PPM America, Principal, T. Rowe Price, UBS, Willis Towers Watson
· Silver Sponsors: AssetGrade, Aviva Investors, Capital Group, Driehaus Capital Management, EnTrust Global, Graystone Consulting, Marquette Associates, Segal Marco Advisors, SLC Management
For additional information or to register, please visit www.wipchicago.org/events.
About Women Investment Professionals (“WIP”)
Established in 1996, Women Investment Professionals is a Chicago-based not-for-profit professional women’s organization. Our core purpose is to foster a professional community that actively inspires, empowers, and advocates for the advancement of women in the investment industry. We accomplish this by providing professional and personal development opportunities, educational programs, and networking across diverse disciplines, functions, and occupations. Our core values are integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity.