Damsel in Distressed with Dominique Mielle

FEG Insight Bridge

This episode of the FEG Insight Bridge features Dominique Mielle, well-known distressed debt investor, former partner and senior portfolio manager at Canyon Capital, and author of the book Damsel in Distressed: My Life in the Golden Age of Hedge Funds. After 20+ years in distressed debt investments, she published the first-ever hedge fund memoir by a woman. Dominique and Greg discuss what it was like to be the only woman in the room (and an immigrant, no less), what inspired her to write a book about her experiences, and why she decided to retire before 50. Dominique also explains why diversity is a key asset for hedge funds, how the recent changes in Fed activity are affecting the distressed landscape, and which American habit she simply cannot stand.

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Chapters

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Episode Overview (00:00:35)

3. Dominique's story (00:01:58)

4. Defining distressed debt investing (00:04:04)

5. Breaking down the tools of the trade (00:06:46)

6. What types of debt can be distressed? (00:10:15)

7. Dominique’s shift from investor to author (00:11:35)

8. Being the only woman in the room (00:15:29)

9. The hidden asset of diverse perspectives (00:19:07)

10. Building resilience in the ups and downs of the market (00:23:20)

11. The impact of QE and QT on distressed investing (00:28:23)

12. Dominique’s take on diminishing returns in the hedge fund industry (00:30:31)

13. On retiring before 50 and life in retirement (00:34:56)

14. The one American habit Dominique can’t stand (00:38:20)