Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 3: Shundrawn Thomas – Leading the Way (Capital Allocators, EP.153)
Aug 24, 2020
Shundrawn Thomas, President of Northern Trust Asset Management, oversees a $900 billion organization and leads significant diversity initiatives. He shares personal insights from his career, tackling issues of race and unconscious bias in professional spaces. Shundrawn emphasizes the importance of mentorship and building diverse leadership teams, illustrating how inclusivity boosts organizational performance. He discusses the cultural values at Northern Trust that promote collaboration and how the current focus on diversity presents a pivotal opportunity for businesses to enact real change.
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Early Career Path
- Shundrawn Thomas's interest in business started in high school through a co-op at Anderson Consulting.
- This led him to pursue finance, starting with accounting and then shifting to capital markets and investing.
Racial Challenges in the Workplace
- Race significantly influences every aspect of life, especially in the US, presenting subtle challenges in the workplace due to stereotypes.
- These challenges are compounded by the discomfort surrounding open discussions about race.
Northern Trust's Culture
- Northern Trust's culture prioritizes the team over individual actors and emphasizes collaboration and consensus-driven decisions.
- Its strong culture, influenced by a Midwestern ethos, includes genuine care for colleagues and a certain level of politeness.