HerValue Column of the International Investment Expert: Sarah Riley | Creating a Diverse Environment and Empowering Women in the Asset Management Ind

HerValue Column of ?the International Investment Expert: Sarah Riley | Creating a Diverse Environment and Empowering Women in the Asset Management Industry

Sarah Riley is a highly experienced professional in the field of international investment. She previously held the position of Head of Association Partnerships in the Managed Funds Association and served as Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Alternative Investments Association. Riley spent four years as an Associate Director of Development at HTB Group in London before returning to the United States to work for an additional seven years. Ms. Riley is now moving to China to develop her further career and HerValue is excited to welcome her to join our team.?

Could you please share your past experience with us? Why did you choose this financial asset management area as your practice area?

I have had a diverse background in my professional journey. I was born in India and educated in the United States. My career first began in London where I was particularly drawn to giving a voice to different segments of the industry, as well as providing opportunities for networking, training, and delivering value through supporting strategy and growth at all levels of a firm. For five years, I served as CEO of an industry trade body. During my career, I led an initiative that brought?together different regional groups and created a platform to enhance operational efficiency while also fostering national and international collaboration. I am a firm believer in creating opportunities for different representatives to have a seat at the table, and this is why I have chosen to focus on financial asset management as my practice area.

Working in collaboration always leads to memorable experiences. It is always important to ensure that communication is clear and effective, to avoid any misunderstandings due to different country-backgrounds or different language barriers. This can lead to funny situations when something is said or done that was not intended.

Through my experience, I have learned that there is a significant global focus in our industry, which brings opportunities to build bridges and increase diversity and representation among different countries in our industry. I saw this momentum as reflective of a broader trend in the industry, where there is a desire for collaboration and creating opportunities for groups and individuals who have historically been underrepresented to have a seat at the table.

Based on your past experience, what do you think is the most critical choice? And why did you make that choice in the first place?

The most critical decision I have made in my life is to consistently surround myself with people who have strong character and place myself in environments?that are conducive to growth. I believe it is important to surround yourself with individuals who prioritize character and equity in their actions.

Through my experience collaborating with people across countries or teams, I have found that those who are fully engaged in what they do, know how to be part of a team, take personal responsibility and stand for something greater than themselves, whether it’s a team, a fund, a committee, or an organization. These are very unique skills that are essential to building and maintaining an effective culture.

This decision was particularly crucial to me as I grew up in an environment that was not supportive of career growth, especially for women. I have always believed that this choice is essential for protecting and furthering one's ability to grow as an individual. Additionally, this has become a focal point of my work and the priority for my whole career.

Based on your past experience, do you have any good advice for young people today?

1. Build your network

It's important to expand your network and not be afraid of having a background or perspective that is unique. Those diverse perspectives and experiences are valuable and so needed. I think finding your own values and learning how to be a team player is crucial. After that, find people that share those values so that you are able to collaborate any chance that you get. Additionally, it's important to not forget to express gratitude.

2. Focus on developing your instincts

It is essential to focus on developing your instincts and learning to quickly address problems as they arise. Hard work should never be regretted and consider "no" as an opportunity to learn. It's important to not take offense easily and to learn how to both give and receive feedback gracefully.

In terms of developing an instinct, placing yourselves in a situation where you are constantly learning and adapting is the key. It is important to learn how to understand people’s values and assess their leading characters, as well as how to collaborate as a team player. Learning how people operate, think and what motivates them in different situations can also help you develop your instincts.

Additionally, it’s crucial to view failure or being told “no” as an opportunity for growth and redirecting the growth in a different area rather than taking it personally or being offended. I’ve encountered numerous situations in my career where someone said “no” or “you can’t do that”, maybe because they had different visions or a lack of understanding. So take that lightly and keep in mind that when you surround yourself with people that can empower you, this will enable you to go farther.

It is always possible to develop your instincts, by learning to quickly assess situations, understand the people involved and identify opportunities for growth and progress.

3. Excel activities outside of your work

Lastly, it is important to excel in activities outside of your work. Engage in mentoring programs, put yourself in situations where you are learning something new, and participate in physical activities. It is also important to learn how to effectively manage your time, so that you can maintain balance and overall well-being.

Based on your experience in asset management in the UK and the US, could you briefly introduce the similarities and differences between the asset management industry in the UK and the US??

Note: In this discussion, only brief and hypothetical opinions on the differences and similarities between the asset management industry in the United Kingdom and the United States will be provided. A separate, more in-depth article will be created to further explore this topic. Keep subscribed!

The UK is the second largest hub for the asset management industry, accounting for a large portion of AUM in Europe. So many managers are reporting opportunities for growth and investment in various sectors. The US also has a large number of managers but a larger size of businesses. There is an opportunity to examine the different regulations and standards between the two countries, such as capital requirements, conduct rules, risks, and stress testing. Also, the changes in these areas since the pandemic have made the UK market more attractive for LPs. Further discussion would explore ways for the US to support and collaborate with this growth, and to mutually boost innovation in the process.

What’s the reason that you are willing to join in HerValue team to build HerValue community?

I am relocating to China this year and willing to play a role in promoting the growth of the asset management industry in the region I plan to utilize my skills and connections to improve communication and cooperation between China and other global market participants. The asset management industry in Asia Pacific is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, particularly with the increased focus on institutionalization of the market and the advancement of industry practices. Now, more than ever, firms and companies need to find creative ways to expand diversity and inclusion. I am eager to be a part of this effort by raising visibility of the women in the industry and empowering them.

HerValue Sharing from Sarah Riley: I encourage you to join HerValue and not to be afraid of having a unique or non-traditional background. As women, I firmly believe that we are responsible for being visible to the next generation of leaders and to contribute our skills and experiences to the industry. By working together, we can help asset management firms engage in more inclusive behaviors, ensure that policies and practices are in place and pave the way for the women who will follow in our footsteps.

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Chinese version of this column is available on WeChat and at the link below.

Finally, stay tuned for HerValue Diversity & Sustainability Conference (please see link for bilingual event details) in China to be held on March 8, we are looking forward to meeting you!