On this episode of Fund Flow, Sheryl Mejia, Managing Partner at Steward Asset Management, joins host Jon Finger to discuss what spurred the creation of her own firm, how to establish differentiation, and why maintaining empathy for founders is key.

Sheryl built a depth of knowledge working in asset management for large and small private funds before launching Steward Asset Management and fulfilling her desire to create a wider deal pipeline for the industry.

She says Steward chooses to operate so they can win the deals they want. Choosing core pillars of differentiation allows the team to competitively position their relationship with emerging managers based on their unique value add.

Sheryl also shares her advice for emerging managers raising their first fund and GPs who have recently closed their first committed fund. She believes that emerging managers need to understand what need they are filling for the investor — then listen, learn, and iterate the pitch. GPs should use the questions investors ask to refine their pitch and improve.

For those who have recently closed their first fund, the best advice Sheryl can give is to learn to balance leadership time properly. She shares tips on how to avoid underestimating the effort that this balance takes.

💡 Featured Guest 💡

Name: Sheryl Mejia

What she does: Sheryl is the Managing Partner and Investment Committee Chair at Steward Asset Management. She maintains a focus on strategies of growing interest to Institutional Limited Partners, ultimately seeking to steward the next generation of alternative asset management leaders.

Organization: Steward Asset Management

Connect: LinkedIn

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This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.

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