034: Funding Research for Change

Women Rocking Wall Street - A podcast dedicated to women in financial services

WRW034: Funding Research for Change with Michelle Clayman

I can’t express how excited I am to share this week’s episode with you. My guest, Michelle Clayman is a CFA, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of New Amsterdam Partners LLC, an institutional money management firm in New York. She has been published in the Financial Analysis Journal, the Journal of Investing and NYSSA Financial Professionals’ Post. She is also a frequent commentator on Bloomberg and other financial media.

Having gone to an all girl's school, Michelle was encouraged to set her aspirations high. She attended Oxford University and eventually attended the business school at Stanford University. She began her financial career with the Bank of America in London and eventually found her way to Wall Street. Through her experience, she found that there was a gap between quantitative research and money investment. Being bold, she decided to start her own business, along with several other partners and New Amsterdam Partners LLC was born.

Michelle is not only a successful women and entrepreneur – she is a philanthropist. Having been involved since 1993 in what is now known as The Clayman Institute for Gender Institute, Michelle first sat on the National Advisory Panel and seeing that there was a lack in resources, she worked hard to move them from “bake sale” fundraising to more sustainable funding sources. Eventually, the opportunity opened up for an endowment fund, and Michelle felt that it was the perfect fit for her. Today, the Institute is doing great work, with research even being referenced in the book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Leadby Sheryl Sandberg.

If you’re interested in becoming involved in philanthropy, Michelle recommends thinking about causes that are important to you and then getting involved. Also, consider putting aside a certain amount of money for charitable giving. Whether it’s through volunteer hours or monetary donations, it’s about supporting those causes closest to you.

If you liked this episode, be sure to share it with your friends and colleagues. Also, visit iTunes and write us a quick review. Finally, thanks for listening!