Episode 289: Carol Geremia of MFS Investment Management - Why Fiduciary Responsibility is always in Fashion

Carol Geremia is president of MFS Investment Management® (MFS®) and head of Global Distribution. She leads the firm's worldwide client-facing teams as well as product and marketing strategy. Since joining MFS in 1984, Carol has held roles focused primarily on fiduciary responsibility, stewardship and sustainability, and she has actively engaged with clients at all levels to ensure that the firm builds products and services aligned with their needs. Carol is a member of the Investment Company Institute's Board of Governors, the City Year Seven Generations Board, the MFS Charitable Oversight Committee and as an Advisory Council member for Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc.

Carol’s career journey had an unconventional start in that she initially pursued a career in fashion.  We probe this intriguing fact and consider the similarities between the two worlds of fashion and investing. One aspect that is similar is the existence of trends and fads – and the importance of developing an eye to detect one forming and then of discerning which ones are likely to endure.  When we translate this into the world of investment products it is clear that investing also has cycles, fads and fashions and that “reading the room” or client appetite in this respect is a critical skill. 

Carol charts her rise through MFS by referring back to a common touchstone – the importance of putting clients first.  She describes her mentors, and how she learned to overcome anxiety around performance in front of clients and how critical it was that she had found a home in which it was possible for her to be her authentic self. 

This is a searing portrait of leadership through compassion and self-awareness.  

This podcast is brought to you with the kind support of Longview Productions. 

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