Introduction
What is your role at IR+M?
As an Investment Product Specialist and Head of LDI & Pension Solutions, I’m acutely aware of the challenges and opportunities facing pension plans. Most plan sponsors are finding themselves in a healthy funded position and debating whether to terminate their pension (if so, how to successfully reach that stage) or preserve what they deem to be a valuable workforce tool and benefit. In my role, we partner with our clients and understand their unique needs and objectives. I really enjoy the problem-solving element of our work and crafting unique solutions that help protect employees’ retirement security. This is where liability driven investing, LDI, comes in. LDI helps plans maximize the probability of preserving a strong funding position, while mitigating the risk of additional required contributions.
Describe your career path prior to working at IR+M.
I’ve always loved math. When I was a freshman in high school, my biology teacher educated me on the actuary profession which certainly piqued my interest! When looking at prospective colleges, I narrowed my list to those with actuarial math programs. I took my first actuarial exam as a college freshman, and after graduating from school, worked as a pension consultant. I really enjoyed working with clients and seeing projects from start to finish. My employer at the time offered me the opportunity to pursue the outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) track. As an actuary doing pension work, I was primarily focused on the liability side; I needed to experience the entire equation. I really wanted to understand the perspective of the client and think more holistically. At IR+M, I’ve been fortunate to truly partner with clients and consider their entire portfolio.
What do you love about your job? What do you find most challenging?
I love when people use the whiteboard to work through a problem. In my first few weeks at IR+M, a Senior Portfolio Manager jumped up during a meeting and started frantically writing everyone’s ideas on the board. In that moment, I knew that I was where I belonged. A challenge of nearly every actuary is to speak in English and not in formulas. A CFO is usually more focused on the bigger picture and less on what actuarial table you used. I frequently remind myself to speak clearly and concisely, and to avoid actuary jargon when possible.
What makes IR+M special?
First, the people. I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by smart, humble teammates who are always willing to pitch in and help. Even if they do not know the answer, they will spend the time helping you find someone who does. I think this is driven by how everyone at the firm, regardless of role, truly has a client first mindset. We all want to do what is best for our clients, and I have found that the exceptional level of cross-team collaboration is really unique to our firm. Second, our passion for bonds. We truly love sharing and talking about our areas of expertise. I get very excited anytime a new hire wants a quick LDI 101 lesson. I know senior portfolio managers get the same rush anytime they’re asked to explain convexity.
What do you do in your free time?
I love hiking with my dog, Mei Mei. I also pledged my loyalty to the Boston Bruins in my wedding vows. I spend a lot of time dining in and around my South End neighborhood in Boston, searching for lesser-known restaurants that serve authentic food.
What inspires you?
I’m most inspired when I’m working in a mentally stimulating environment, where people genuinely want the best for each other.
