Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders: Women in Quant Finance

On March 19, the MSCF New York City campus hosted Breaking Barriers, Building Leaders, an inspiring Women in Quant Finance panel held in conjunction with CMU Women in Data Science (WiDS). This event brought together a distinguished group of industry trailblazers to discuss the future of the field. The discussion was expertly moderated by Angelina Shen (MSCF '22) of BlackRock, who led a panel featuring an exceptional lineup of speakers: Nancy Davis (Founder & Portfolio Manager, Quadratic Capital Management), Rekha Nair (TPR '06) (Managing Director, Société Générale), Amrita Tiwari (New York Life Investment Management), and Renee Yao (Founder & CIO, Neo Ivy Capital Management).

The dialogue bridged the gap between technical mastery and the interpersonal agility necessary for long-term success in quantitative finance. The panelists provided candid reflections on the evolving industry landscape, emphasizing that while mathematical rigor is the foundation, qualities like adaptability and confidence are the true catalysts for leadership. By sharing the specific hurdles they navigated throughout their careers, the speakers underscored the importance of finding one's voice in traditionally underrepresented spaces and the pivotal role that mentorship plays in professional longevity.

The evening concluded with practical, forward-looking advice for the students and alumni in attendance. From mastering the nuances of high-pressure internships to the art of building a robust professional network, the panelists provided actionable strategies for the next generation of finance professionals. By aligning this event with the broader CMU WiDS mission, MSCF reinforced its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive community, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of the field's opportunities and a renewed motivation to pursue leadership roles.