Investment Management Operations Stephanie Withers, Senior Manager Investment Operations – W.K. Kellogg Foundation (EP.19)
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Jan 30, 2024 Stephanie Withers, Senior Manager Investment Operations at W.K. Kellogg Foundation, discusses their initiatives on DEI, their tech stack, and the importance of business process mapping. They also talk about their Expanding Equity Program and annual operations survey for change management in partnership with the investment team.
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Career Beginnings
- Stephanie Withers started her career in accounting, blending tax and audit work, including non-profit and governmental audits.
- This early exposure to investments, including private equity within pensions, sparked her interest in the field.
Diversification's Importance
- While consulting for auto suppliers during the 2008 crisis, Withers observed that diversification was key to a company's success.
- Companies with diverse customer bases and product offerings fared better during the economic downturn.
Kellogg Foundation's Funding
- The Kellogg Foundation, with an $8 billion endowment, operates as a private foundation.
- It does not accept outside capital, relying on investment returns to fund its mission.