Meet Judit Gerlits, a software engineer within our ETF and Index Investments (EII) business based in Budapest. Hear Judit’s perspective on BlackRock’s different leadership pathways for technologists, and learn how she discovered the best fit for herself. What is your earliest memory of technology, and when did you start developing software? I’ve been around computers since I was a little kid. My mother and my brothers are computer programmers, and my dad is a mathematician, so I was very much headed towards that path from a young age. Back in the eighties, I started working with microcomputers, a ZX Spectrum, at home with my family. What do you do now? I’m a Java and Kotlin programmer at BlackRock. My team and I have been working on five or so business applications for a couple of years now; I was recently working on a cloud native project, where I learned to work with several new technologies, like programming in Kotlin or using Spring Integration framework. What I also love about my role is that I have a hand in building the technologies we use at BlackRock. What compelled you to join BlackRock? What kinds of opportunities did you envision there? I’ve been in the Hungarian fintech industry for a very long time, and what drew me to BlackRock in 2017 were the varying routes to leadership for technologists. In my previous role as a senior developer, I felt an increasing amount of pressure to become a people manager. I felt that was my only career path, but it wasn’t a route I wanted to pursue. At BlackRock, there has been an ongoing effort to help technology professionals who don’t want to be people managers find other leadership positions that better suit them, especially as subject matter experts. There are also other forms of leadership I encounter here every day, like mentoring or team structures where an engineer owns a small piece of the project and determines the tasks for the developers. Leadership happens in lots of small pockets of a project – everyone at BlackRock can and will get a taste of it throughout their career. Can you talk a bit more about that? What is the variety of leadership roles like for technologists at BlackRock? There is a huge variety of options. You can be a software developer, or a lead developer for a project, providing people with technical directives. You can be a strategy manager, who, rather than coding, is determining what the company should do, what direction it should take. We have quite a few senior colleagues who do this. You can go in the project owner direction, where you manage tech professionals from the business side of things. You can also become an expert in a more focused technical area and serve as an internal expert. For example, you can be an authentication manager, and teams at BlackRock will ask you to share your expertise for a specific project they’re working on. BlackRock has created a specialized track to support career paths like mine, and you can switch paths at any time. How can someone figure out which leadership path is best for them? I think it’s worthwhile to try out as many different roles as possible to find out what you like and what you do well. BlackRock has a great internal mobility initiative: if you want to change teams or even functions, your manager can work with you to explore new opportunities and help with that transition. So you can try a lot of different things during your career. A career is rarely a straight shot; oftentimes, your interests and career goals change as you gain more work experience. I’ve had several managers who were previously programmers and weren’t ready to let go of coding, even though they no longer had the time for it. They benefitted most when they were able to streamline their different areas of expertise. The best managers are those who enjoy what they do! What advice do you have for people at the beginning of their career when thinking about self-development? It is very important to step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis. Don’t just do one thing and get stuck there. It’s essential to always be learning new skills. BlackRock provides a great deal of support for many types of learning, including internal trainings, free access to the O’Reilly and Pluralsight platforms, a learning allowance and three days covered for courses and conferences, where you can hear what’s new and stay up to date on trends. It’s also very important to talk to people who are on other projects – not only can it benefit your own project, but it will also likely be useful to you in the future. What is it like being a woman technologist at BlackRock? Are there any specific opportunities or mentorship programs available to women in coding at the firm? There are a lot of women here at BlackRock, and they’re in a huge variety of roles across the firm. BlackRock believes that when a team is made up of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, we produce much better ideas and solutions to problems. And we’re not just talking about men and women or colleagues from different continents, but also about representing different social classes and cultural differences within countries. My team is 50% gender diverse, and many teams across the firm have similar breakdowns, which is above the general benchmark for this industry in Hungary. BlackRock is committed to supporting women, and even during the hiring process, the firm takes the initiative to have female interviewers when screening women candidates. It gives us the chance to discuss things we can more specifically relate to. We have a firmwide employee network called the Women’s Initiative & Allies Network, as well as a smaller group in the Budapest office called the Women in IT Budapest group. We work with several organizations like Skool and NATE to show girls and young women what a programmer does and why programming is fun. We also interview and mentor high school students, participate in charity donations for women and create study groups to help our own members further develop their skills and careers.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Meet Haruka Shimoto, an Associate on the Aladdin Client Engagement team based in Japan. Haruka shares more about the different Aladdin teams she’s worked on throughout her career, how she’s built a global network at the firm and why BlackRock instantly felt like the perfect match.
What made you decide to begin your career at BlackRock? What factors were important to you in making that decision?
I knew I wanted to work in Tokyo, at a company with an international culture. I ultimately chose to accept my offer at BlackRock because of the people I spoke with during the interview process – it felt like I had really connected with them, and I thought I would like the culture here. Part of what stood out to me at BlackRock versus other companies was the mix of interviews conducted in English and Japanese; it really felt like a match.
How did coming in through the graduate program shape your experience?
The Full-Time Analyst Program provides an opportunity for new BlackRock grad hires to meet and start building relationships with each other. My experience was exactly that – I first met many of my close colleagues through the program, and that network isn’t just in Japan but all around the world. Knowing there may be a friendly face on any team I coordinate with has made collaborating easier and more fun.
What is the culture like?
I work on a close-knit team of eight people with a diverse set of skills and experiences, so we’ve been able to strike a good balance in working together and exceeding our clients’ expectations. Beyond just my team, the culture in the office feels open and fun. Now that we are coming back into the office, it’s nice to see both new and familiar faces.
Tell us a bit about your role at BlackRock. What has your journey at the company been like, and what do you do now?
I started as an Analyst on the Aladdin Client Services team, where I helped our Aladdin users solve any problems they encountered. Aladdin is BlackRock’s investment and risk management technology platform that is both used internally and delivered externally to other financial institutions. All the technical inquiries I handled deepened my interest in tech, and I made the decision to move over to the Aladdin Product Marketing team, where I took on a more active role in promoting user adoption. After gaining a firm understanding of the full platform, I transitioned to the Aladdin Client Engagement team to further develop my career in relationship management. Now I have the opportunity to build and maintain key relationships with our insurance clients by providing solutions for the wide range of issues they face.
What do you find exciting or inspiring about working on Aladdin?
What I find inspiring about working on Aladdin is that this product is used by countless organizations around the globe to streamline and optimize some of the most difficult challenges faced in asset management today. And it’s exciting that we have the constant opportunity to help holistically and digitally transform how businesses manage their assets with the most cutting-edge technology in the financial services industry.
You’re part of the firm’s Women’s Initiative & Allies Network (WIN) – can you tell us more about your experience with WIN?
When I first joined BlackRock, I wanted to find a way to get to know people outside of my team and the Aladdin business. WIN events allowed me to meet people in different regions, businesses and functions. I was also part of a program called WIN Elevate, where we had the opportunity to hear directly from senior leaders at the firm.
One of my most memorable WIN experiences was a few years ago, when we had a joint event sponsored by BlackRock and other companies in our tower. The event championed women at work and provided interesting networking opportunities across the different companies that were there.
What can someone interested in joining BlackRock do to stand out as a candidate?
You don’t necessarily need to be a finance or economics major to stand out. I’ve found that colleagues who work well at BlackRock are inquisitive and always curious to know more, are team players and are self-motivated to tackle any issue that comes their way.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Social impact is a huge part of what we do at BlackRock, in our day-to-day professional roles as well as in our time outside of the office. We recently spoke with members of the Belgrade office’s Social Impact team – Mina Tmusic, Biljana Boskovic and Maja Jankes – to learn more about their mentoring partnership with a local organization called the SOS Children’s Villages.
Tell us about your partnership with the SOS Children’s Villages. What inspired you and your BlackRock colleagues to get involved with the organization?
Mina: After seeing the impact they’re making in Serbia, we knew we wanted to support them and be part of their amazing story. The SOS Children’s Villages in Belgrade has been helping Serbian children and families in need for over fifty years. There are more than 100,000 children living in poverty in Serbia. SOS parents play a critical role in our community, providing care and a loving home for children who cannot live with their families for a variety of reasons. SOS parents educate the children in their care and support them on their path to independence as they grow up.
Our partnership with SOS started in 2019, when a BlackRock colleague from our Social Impact team heard about the organization and invited them to share more about the important work they do.
In addition to impactful donations and involvement in events for the organization, you and several of your BlackRock teammates serve as mentors to SOS children. Can you tell us more about the mentorship program?
Mina: Through our partnership, we learned that SOS has a mentorship program called YouthCan! and we immediately wanted to be a part of it. Young people who are leaving alternative care are especially in need of help. They have fewer opportunities to get professional training; and they are required to be financially independent from an early age compared to their peers who grow up in more traditional family structures.
Maja: The purpose of YouthCan! is to increase the employability of young people without parental care, by including them in the “world of work” through cooperation with partner organizations and companies – like BlackRock – that are ready to offer young people mentoring support, training or professional practice.
Mina: YouthCan! gives young people a chance for a better future. As mentors, we share our knowledge and help support their personal and professional growth. We are currently focused on teaching our mentees English language skills as it’s required for most jobs today.
What kind of knowledge or advice do you strive to impart as a mentor?
Biljana: I try to listen and help my mentees realize how they can achieve their goals – there’s a wide range of possibilities and decisions people can make in their lives to become successful.
Maja: I agree. After taking the time to get to know my mentees and their aspirations, I share some of my own struggles from childhood and early in my career that they might be able to relate to or learn from.
Mina: On top of that, the most important advice I give mentees is to put themselves first and take their mental health seriously.
Biljana: That external push and support from a mentor can truly help someone get to the next level – whether it’s personal or professional.
How has this partnership with SOS Children’s Villages impacted you?
Mina: It’s funny how quickly we forget what we were like at the beginning of our careers. I often see myself in my mentees – how quickly I wanted to accomplish a lot of things and how impatient I was. Sometimes over time, the day-to-day work makes you forget where you wanted to be and what you wanted to do. While I’m helping my mentees figure out their professional paths, they have helped remind me about my own career goals and aspirations.
Maja: One of my mentees is a young girl whose sister is living in South Africa, where English is the main spoken language. For the last four months, I have been working closely with her on improving her English skills to help her better communicate with her sister. This young girl is not only studying and working without family support, but also always smiling during our classes. We could all learn from her to appreciate the small or everyday things in our lives.
Biljana: I think that mentoring and supporting younger or less experienced people is our collective duty. Beyond that, supporting someone in their growth and seeing them progress is priceless.
What made you want to join the Belgrade office’s Social Impact team? What made you choose to take on a leadership role in co-chairing the team?
Mina: When I was in college, I was an activist for a nonprofit organization that helps kids with cancer and supports their parents. These parents were so grateful to have someone who cared about them and wanted to help them through those difficult times. It was not an easy job but at that moment I knew I would always be involved in the work of nonprofits. The Social Impact team in Belgrade has a long tradition, and it was an easy decision for me to join. Taking on my leadership role within the team happened somewhat spontaneously but it’s a pleasure and an honor for me to serve as Co-Chair.
Biljana: For me, I was unsatisfied in my previous job and asked myself why I was sitting at work for eight hours a day in a role where I couldn’t contribute to anyone. When I was interviewing at BlackRock, they told me about the Social Impact team and that fact helped influence my decision to accept the offer. I like teamwork and a positive environment where people focus on supporting each other to make a greater impact. That’s my Social Impact team. After our former lead left I was happy to take on the Co-Chair role with such an amazing team.
Why are you passionate about getting involved in the Belgrade community? Why is it a priority for you?
Biljana: Haven’t we all had support in some form or another throughout our lives and careers? Our community is far from perfect; there’s a lot of opportunity to help others and provide underprivileged individuals with a greater chance to succeed. BlackRock offers a lot of possibilities for getting involved and I know I’m making a significant impact with every initiative I’m a part of.
Mina: I will never regret the time I spend supporting causes I am passionate about! Being a part of the Social Impact team has enriched my life, helped me better understand my community, and most importantly, connected me with great teammates, organizations and mentees who positively impact me every day. I would encourage everyone to give a little back to the community and experience how much they gain from it.
Curious about other ways we’re involved in our local communities? From protecting our environment and the safety of our animals to advocating for the physical and mental health of the children in our communities, we’re involved in over a dozen philanthropic organizations in Serbia alone – and many more around the world. Click here to explore some of our employee-led initiatives and discover how BlackRock is working to make a personal impact on the lives of others.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Written by
Meet Eve Devine, a Vice President within the Command Center & Control team as part of the Aladdin Product Group. Learn more about Eve’s career journey, her advice to women in tech and why her favorite part of the Edinburgh office is the people. You’ve been at BlackRock since 2016. What inspired you to join the company? I visited the BlackRock London office in 2013 as part of a London Finance Tour hosted by my university. Of all the companies we met with that week, BlackRock stood out to me as the only firm that emphasized the importance of technology and identified themselves as a fintech company. I had a desire to work as a technologist within the financial sector but also wanted to be at the forefront of new technology and innovation. BlackRock seemed like the perfect fit. I joined BlackRock through the Analyst Program, which has been one of my greatest experiences at BlackRock to date. I not only had the privilege of traveling to New York and hearing directly from the most senior leaders of the firm, but I also made lifelong friends. The program provides you with an immediate network of talented and brilliant individuals across every business area and geographical location. I wish I could do it all over again! Can you tell us a bit about your journey at BlackRock since then? As part of the Aladdin Product Group (APG) Analyst Program, I was able to rotate among different teams that work with Aladdin, BlackRock’s tech platform that unifies the investment management process – it’s everything you need to manage money, from portfolio construction through to compliance, reporting, operations and risk. Aladdin is both used internally at the firm and leveraged externally by clients, providing them access to the same technology we use to manage their investments day to day. Each rotation exposed me to different aspects of Aladdin, including how integral it is to delivering success for our clients. I ultimately chose the Command Center & Control team for my full-time placement as I knew it would allow me to develop my technical skillset while exposing me to the client business – helping me understand how clients interact with Aladdin and how the platform is constantly evolving to meet and anticipate client needs. What is it like to be part of the Command Center? My role within the team is as an Incident Manager, which means I’m responsible for the ongoing management of the Command Center, handling the triage of incidents and mitigating impact to our clients. The Command Center runs 24/7, and it’s a focal point in ensuring resilience, scale and performance across Aladdin. We also anticipate and prepare the Aladdin platform in response to some of the largest and most significant market events. Alongside our partner groups, we have a playbook of actions that are carried out in the lead-up to an event that enables our clients to respond seamlessly. My favorite part of the role is that no two days are the same; you never know what kind of incident you’ll have to respond to. In the most challenging times, our team rallies together and we operate with a One BlackRock mentality, collaborating closely with our partner teams to deliver the best service for our clients. Our team operates with a flat structure – ideas are listened to and encouraged – which provides each of us the freedom and opportunity to drive real change within the team and beyond. How have you felt supported in your career growth at BlackRock? I’ve been very fortunate to have managers who have not only supported my personal goals but also pushed me to aim higher. I have very open dialogue with my manager about my career aspirations. He goes above and beyond to create opportunities for me and continually pushes me to think longer term and approach situations from different perspectives. As I have become a people manager myself, I operate with the mindset that your manager needs to work with you and help you achieve what you set out to do. The Edinburgh office also runs a mentorship program, which helped me connect with one of my first mentors, who has been an excellent ear and guide for me throughout my time at BlackRock. Through other mentor relationships, I’ve gotten amazing opportunities to host external events, interview senior leaders of the firm and become more involved in areas that matter to me most. Mentorship has been one of the biggest investments I’ve made in myself – building relationships and leaning on my mentors throughout my career. What do you enjoy most about the culture in the Edinburgh office? The people! I may be biased, but the culture in the Edinburgh office is second to none. There’s excellent connectivity across teams and the wider office, and we host many fun activities with a philanthropic focus throughout the year, including volunteer days, tree-planting days with the Green Team, sponsored cycles and row-a-thons, the annual charity ball and Christmas jumper competitions – just to name a few! These are a great way to connect with colleagues from other teams and meet new people. You’re greatly involved in BlackRock’s Women’s Initiative & Allies Network (WIN), co-chairing the WIN Edinburgh chapter and co-leading WIN’s Elevate development program in EMEA. What motivates you to invest in and support fellow female colleagues? I knew quite early on that I wanted to pursue a career in tech. Throughout school and university, I was often second-guessed and undermined, which was mainly a result of my gender. I constantly felt I had to prove myself. Women are underrepresented not only in tech but also in finance, and when I first joined the firm in 2016, I was acutely aware of the lack of female representation. Everyone should be able to look around and see others who look like them and feel like they can be their true selves, including at work. Thankfully, numbers are increasing, and I believe that great things happen when women support women. I am dedicated to ensuring female colleagues – and young women even outside of BlackRock – feel supported and encouraged to excel and realize their full potential so they can go on to do great things. Plus, the more we can tell girls and young women early on in their careers that nothing is out of reach, the more women we will see in the industry overall, and the smaller the gender pay gap will be. What advice do you have for women looking to break into the tech industry? If someone tells you that you can’t do something, ignore them. You’re in the driving seat of your career, and the best investment you can make is in yourself. Continually develop your skills, push yourself out of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Growing up, Gabriel Vazquez never imagined working for a Fortune 500 company like BlackRock—even though our Manhattan office is within a 15-mile radius of his childhood home in Queens, NY.
“I thought a career in finance and consulting was only for people who were already wealthy,” says Vazquez, who is now a software engineer at the firm. “And I think part of that is just exposure; I didn’t know these opportunities existed, so I simply didn’t strive for them.”
Since he joined the firm in 2017, Gabriel has thrived and was able to make the transition from an administrative assistant role to software engineer within two years. But it wasn’t until he joined the Somos Latinx & Allies Network that everything truly clicked into place for him. “For me, Somos has definitely been a big part of creating a sense of community at the firm,” he says. “I met people I could talk to and relate to in a way that made me feel at home.”
Somos, which translates to “we are” in Spanish, is one of our newest employee networks. It was founded in 2019 by a few Latinx employees in New York; today, its members span locations around the world, including San Francisco, Atlanta, Mexico, and Europe.
Here, four Somos members share how they came together to build a community where they can learn from one another, share interests and experiences and support the career success of other Latinx colleagues globally.
Helping junior Latinx talent navigate the world of work
Beatriz Da Cunha, a founding executive member of Somos, knows firsthand the value of career development programs: She’s participated in several of them throughout her 15 years at the firm, where she’s grown from being an entry-level Analyst to Chief Operating Officer for BlackRock Sustainable Investing.
Beatriz believed that her Latinx colleagues could benefit from a development program tailored specifically to them—and the Career Collective was born.
“Many members of our BlackRock community are first-generation college students or the first generation to work in a professional setting, so we wanted to create a safe space to ask questions in order to help employees thrive early in their careers,” she says.
The program forms cohorts with junior-level Latinx talent led by a senior leader and a moderator. Over the course of six months, cohorts meet as groups, as well as through one-on-one coffee chats with each other. As a result, employees not only get to connect with mentors in a more organic way, but also build a network of peers they can turn to for advice.
The discussions revolve around situations young professionals often grapple with in their careers—such as promotions, internal mobility, or navigating difficult conversations—while also acknowledging how someone from the Latinx community might experience them differently.
“Let’s say we’re talking about promotions: What does that look like from the Latinx perspective?” asks Gabriel, who also helped launch the program. “Culturally, there is often this mindset passed down from our parents that says, ‘You have a great job, be grateful and don’t be a disturbance.’ But we need to be reminded that to receive a promotion, we need to ask for one.”
Building connections across the company
Ana Maria Guijarro made a cross-country move from New York to San Francisco when she took a sales job at BlackRock right out of college. Becoming a member of Somos’ Operating Committee not only helped her make friends in a new city, but it also allowed her to quickly broaden her network within the firm and develop new skills.
For example, when Ana Maria moderated a Career Collective conversation about developing executive presence, she was learning alongside the other participants. “The senior sponsor gave us ideas on how to read a room—watching the speed and tone—and how to be comfortable with silence when you’re presenting, which has helped me when I speak to clients on a daily basis,” she says.
Taking on a more active role within Somos has also given Gabriel the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with senior leaders across the firm, which has been a game changer for him. “Being in constant dialogue with people at this level definitely helped me bring more confidence to my work,” he says.
Even as a director, Beatriz leverages Somos to expand her personal network across the firm and connect the dots between her work and that of other teams. “I’ve met people I wouldn’t otherwise have met and realized that we were working on similar projects in our respective business units and should be talking more often,” she says. “There’s a lot of impact in terms of just connecting with colleagues on a different dimension, and there is a business-positive outcome as a result of that.”
Having conversations about identity
Maybel Marte says she was used to people mispronouncing her name at work. She has spent most of her career in finance, navigating predominantly white spaces as an Afro-Latina from the Dominican Republic.
“Over the majority of my career, I wasn’t looking at another Latino or Latina across the table—the person I was aiming to make a connection with and find commonality with was a white male or female,” she says.
But things have been different at BlackRock, where Marte is a Managing Director within the company’s Global Credit Group. Through Somos, she is able to have conversations about the varying identities and experiences of the Latinx and Hispanic communities, “whether you’re blonde and green-eyed or brown-skinned with a curly frizz like me,” she says. “Identity is a really nuanced thing that we are still trying to figure out as a community and find the points where culture and race intersect. We don’t all walk the same walk, but somos Latinos.”
Bridging the gap for future generations
Gabriel realizes that his influence goes beyond just impacting other Latinx colleagues. As he continues to grow his career at the firm, he is also looking at ways he can pay it forward outside of work. For example, he volunteers at the nonprofit The Marcy Lab School, a software engineering program for underrepresented and underserved students. He hopes that some of the students he’s training will join him at BlackRock someday.
“I’m really passionate about trying to build that pipeline of Latinx talent into the firm,” he says. “And when I go back home and talk about my job, people will see that, ‘Oh, Gabe’s a software engineer. Maybe that’s something I can aspire to as well.’”
A version of this article was originally published on The Muse.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Written by
We spoke with three Atlantans who are helping build BlackRock’s iHub in Atlanta. Learn more about Kimberly Locklear, Brandon Berry and Emojoy Brown’s experiences working in BlackRock’s Atlanta office. Atlanta (aka ‘the ATL’ or ‘Hotlanta’ if you dare) has grown exponentially over the last two decades. It continues to have the fastest growth rate of any southeastern city, with people from around the world relocating there to call it home. And because it also houses more than 120 fintech companies, the city has earned a reputation as a fintech hub. Locals who grew up in Georgia’s capital and the surrounding region have played an active role in this progression, shaping their hometown into a thriving metropolis. As this evolving city saw a surge of transplants, another one moved in: BlackRock. And Atlantans were thrilled about this new resident. A fintech opening an innovation center that would create more than 1,000 jobs for the community? That was a win-win-win. Kimberly Locklear, “a true Georgia Peach” who works as Client Experience Lead for the Global Consultant Relations Group, jumped at the opportunity. “When I heard BlackRock was going to open an iHub [innovation hub], I immediately started looking for open roles – primarily because of BlackRock’s reputation as an industry leader across asset management, but also because of the opportunity to work within the institutional business without having to move to New York!” For Brandon Berry, Vice President of the Technology Risk Management group within Risk and Quantitative Analysis, he was sold on the firm’s Atlanta office after a series of interviews met his requirements and exceeded his expectations. “As a Black professional, I especially appreciated how BlackRock’s external communications about social justice, DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] and other ESG [environmental, social and governance] issues were also represented in conversations with my interviewers,” Brandon says. “They made me believe in the authenticity of BlackRock’s commitment to being a good corporate citizen.” Can you still be an Atlanta native if you weren’t born there? Emojoy Brown, a Director on the Liability Driven Investments team, confesses that while she’s not 100% homegrown, “Atlanta has been my home since I graduated from college over 20 years ago. I feel like the city and I have grown up together!” That’s why Emojoy is active in BlackRock’s community outreach, striving to foster DEI across the city. We think that makes her a true Atlantan. What inspired you to join BlackRock’s Atlanta office? Emojoy Brown (Director on BlackRock’s Liability Driven Investments team): BlackRock is such an important name in asset management, and I was really excited to see the firm building a presence in Atlanta. It showed that BlackRock recognized that Atlanta is a great city to live and work in, with a deep and diverse talent pool. It also represented an opportunity for me to learn from and contribute to a truly dynamic firm with global reach. I wanted to be a part of this growth story! Brandon Berry (Vice President in BlackRock’s Technology Risk Management group): As I started to explore new roles in 2020, I found that the three biggest priorities for me were (in order) company values and culture alignment, company economic strength and edge in industry, and the opportunity to grow professionally and add value. During my independent research and through the interview process, BlackRock met all of my criteria, and I left the process genuinely excited for the opportunity to join the company. What do you find most rewarding being a part of BlackRock? Emojoy: The purpose of the firm really resonates with me. There are so many ways we are helping people achieve financial well-being. It’s in the way we connect with each other to solve a challenge for a client, the way we recruit and develop the next generation of investors, and the way we give back to the community. Kimberly Locklear (Vice President on BlackRock’s Americas Client Experience Management team): The culture at BlackRock is unlike anything I have experienced in my career – in a positive way! The experience and talent across our community has inspired me personally to work harder, while also gaining an abundance of knowledge from colleagues around the world. Brandon: The most rewarding thing for me is knowing that I am able to make an impact on a large scale. Given the size of BlackRock, I know that, by doing my job well (helping to keep safe the technology and data the company uses to deliver for our clients), I am playing a small part to positively impact the financial future of millions of people and financial markets globally. What’s the support system like in Atlanta? Emojoy: We have many different functions represented in the office, and we connect with each other through meetings, events and activities. Whether it is purely social, community service-related or employee resource groups leading a panel discussion, there are frequent opportunities to engage with other groups and leaders in Atlanta. BlackRock’s global leaders are often in the office, leading ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions to listen and foster a sense of transparency and access. Kimberly: Because of our open floor seating, it allows for collaboration across teams, levels and businesses – making it easy to meet others, team up and support colleagues. There is a friendly face around every corner, and everyone is willing to pitch in and help others. Brandon: Atlanta has a strong community and support system. The office support team, employee networks and informal networks made me feel connected to the office from Day 1, even as I was starting remotely. Everyone is generally helpful and willing to take the time to support each other if questions arise. I feel like I am able to engage as much or as little as I want in social activities, and I am always a few instant messages away from any answer I need. How does it feel working in your local office as someone who grew up in Georgia? Kimberly: I am a true Georgia Peach in that I was literally born three miles from our office – and to see Atlanta grow over the last 35+ years to the sprawling metropolis that it is today, with companies like BlackRock in our backyard, makes me very proud. Brandon: I am proud to see the growth of Atlanta as a business hub. As I was matriculating through school and early career, there were a few major employers with a big presence here (Coca-Cola, Home Depot, UPS, AT&T, etc.). Now, there are many large multinational firms across various industries competing for talent in ATL, including BlackRock. I feel proud that they decided to choose my home as somewhere they value and desire to grow a footprint. Emojoy: Atlanta has been my home since I graduated from college over 20 years ago. I feel like the city and I have grown up together! The growth Atlanta continues to undergo is amazing to witness, and it’s been important to me to ensure that growth is equitable and respectful of the diverse communities that make the city great. I see that commitment is shared by my colleagues in the Atlanta office. We volunteer, donate and champion activities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion across the city. It means a lot to see my values amplified by my coworkers and the company. What’s the best kept secret about BlackRock’s Atlanta office? Brandon: It’s no secret, but the ability of the Atlanta office to bring together such a large group of high-performing, diverse talent is something to marvel at. I have not seen such a diverse collection of great talent during my career, and I believe it contributes to the unbelievable culture and positive energy we have in ATL. I know that I am energized as a Black professional being a part of this amazing community of talent that is BlackRock ATL. Kimberly: While we are the largest asset manager in the world, the Atlanta office can sometimes feel like a start-up. The energy and collaboration are evident – and at times, you can see the motivation and excitement in the work we are doing! What goals do you have for your team? Emojoy: My team works on investments for corporate retirement programs. I would love to see our team tap into the fintech, data and product strategy talent growing right here in Atlanta to innovate the strategies we bring to clients. Kimberly: First and foremost, I want my team to enjoy the work we are delivering and to know they, too, have a voice in creating and executing our service experience for clients and consultants. Brandon: The immediate goals for my team surround growing in size (mainly in Atlanta) and maturing as a function to enhance our ability to identify and reduce technology risk. Are you – or have you been – involved with any BlackRock mentorship programs? Why is that important to you? Brandon: I have been engaged in Black Professionals & Allies Network and Risk and Quantitative Analysis mentoring programs as both a mentor and mentee. I think mentoring is so important for a few reasons. Learning and coaching provides value as a mentor to early career associates and also in receiving new perspectives and insights from mentees. It allows you to connect with people and also get access to their extended networks. Mentor/mentee relationships provide a form of support that is different from an acquaintance/normal colleague that is important to have in any environment. You’re active in several BlackRock networks. How do these communities make an impact on your experience at BlackRock? Emojoy: I find that BlackRock employee networks are a great way to meet and learn about people. The events have helped me become a more empathetic leader and also pursue a balance in my life in and out of the office. There are so many facets of one’s identity that need to be nurtured, and these groups affirm that I need not suppress or hide any part of who I am to be successful here. Brandon: As a Black professional, BPN has made the biggest impact on my BlackRock experience. I think it’s so powerful to have a community of people that have similar experiences to you, to feel comfortable, seen and supported. Additionally, as a member of many other networks, it has been great to join various events and programs to learn more about the firm and expand my BlackRock knowledge and network. The participation in BlackRock employee networks has been very beneficial to my experience with the firm thus far. From its continued growth to its committed service in the local community, the Atlanta office is serving up some serious inspiration. We are incredibly proud of all our employees leading the way in Atlanta. Want to know more about the Atlanta office? Check out its website here. Inspired to join the team? Click here for open roles.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
From published author to professor to Managing Director based in our London office, Simona Paravani-Mellinghoff has built her career around her passion for financial education. Read on to learn more about her career journey…
Can you tell us a bit about your role as Global Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Solutions within the Multi-Asset Strategies and Solutions (MASS) team?
At MASS, we have the privilege of helping more and more clients experience financial well-being by designing, advising on, and managing multi-asset portfolios, which can cover multiple geographies and asset classes – from equity and bonds to private markets and commodities. We customize these portfolios to the particular needs of our clients, who range from pension funds to sovereign wealth funds.
You can think of my role as similar to that of an orchestra conductor: I identify and cultivate the orchestra talent, ensure they have the best instruments, and create opportunities for them to play in the best theaters so that they can produce music tailored to audiences’ needs and tastes globally.
When you joined BlackRock in 2015, what made you decide this was the place for you?
The people and the culture; obviously the two are intimately linked. Every person I met through the recruitment process embodied the One BlackRock principle. It was clear BlackRock is a firm that values cooperation and teamwork, and where people genuinely care about and root for each other’s success.
It reminds me of an African saying I love: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with others.”
Seven years later and you’re still with the firm – what keeps you here?
The amazing people I work with and our culture of collaboration have empowered me to grow professionally into bigger and bigger roles within the firm. They have also enabled our business to experience impressive growth, with more clients entrusting us with their portfolios, and by extension, their financial hopes and ambitions. Beyond our business goals, I am also very proud of the focus the firm has put on advancing our DEI goals, including MASS’ work with minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned investment managers.
You also wear a few different hats outside of the firm – from being a published author to professor of Financial Analytics and Machine Learning. How have these outside activities informed or inspired your work at BlackRock, and vice versa
All of my outside activities tend to have a common thread: education. I passionately believe that lifelong education is key to fulfilling our purpose and potential on a personal, professional and societal level.
At BlackRock we believe in being a constant “student of the markets;” but teaching also plays a big role in my day-to-day job. When you teach, you realize that you really need to up your game as a communicator. You can be technically outstanding, but unless you can explain concepts clearly and intuitively, it is really hard to teach something to someone else.
Teaching is also a great way to stay connected with values and ideas motivating the next generation. For example, interacting with children and university students, I see firsthand how sustainability matters when it comes to decision-making. I was once visiting a middle school to talk about my book, The Kids’ Pocket Guide to the World, when a child raised his hand and asked me, “Do you know how many liters of water it takes to produce a t-shirt?” I went into total panic as I had absolutely no clue! The child not only gave me the answer but also illustrated how environmental considerations were already a significant behavioral driver, underscoring the point that environmental considerations represent both investment risk and opportunity. And of course, as both a professor and an author of children’s books, it is super satisfying to see students get passionate about your subject and want to learn more.
You’re closely involved with the Financial Inclusion Network (FIT). Why is this network important to you and what do you hope it accomplishes?
The FIT network invites employees to commit themselves personally and professionally to helping more people experience financial well-being, with a targeted focus on economic mobility and financial inclusion. As someone who comes from a relatively humble background and as the first person in my family to go to university, social mobility is something dear to my heart.
I hope that through FIT we can inspire people to believe that a career in finance is something for them. It’s also critical that we help dispel the myth that finance – or better financial education – is only for wealthy people. Finance – learning about money – is for everyone. Basic financial knowledge around, for example, rates of interest and compounding, can help people avoid ending up in a debt trap, which we know impacts the poorer segments of the population in particular.
My commitment to financial education is also underscored by my involvement as a trustee of the financial education charity Mybnk. Mybnk’s mission is to empower young people to take charge of their future by bringing money to life through the creation and delivery of innovative, high-impact and high-energy financial education programs.
You have received several industry recognitions, including Investment Week’s Women in Investment Awards Role Model of the Year in 2021. What advice can you offer to those looking to make an impact within their industry?
Make sure you are passionate about what you do. We spend way too much time at work to do something we don’t deeply enjoy. To me, this means that my work needs to align with my sense of purpose.
It is also important to be in roles and in a working environment that give you the opportunity to keep learning; this is why being surrounded by people you can learn from and who are complementary to you is key. Finally, take risks! One cannot grow personally or professionally without getting out of their own comfort zone. Of course, taking risks can be scary and it is totally fine to be afraid; courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability not to let fear dominate and limit our life.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
There’s no one right path to success, but if an equation existed to reflect Narinder Dalal’s career, it would be transferable skills + clear goals + a supportive management team = abundant growth and leadership opportunities.
Narinder found a fit for this formula here at BlackRock—where internal mobility is greatly valued. With a background in finance and a clear goal of being in a client-facing role that has a strategic impact on the business, she’s skyrocketed to success.
“I have a wealth of experience in financial services, and it was great to be able to leverage my previous background to make the next step in my career progression at BlackRock,” Narinder says.
Her talents and abilities have always made her stand out, but with a supportive manager and senior leadership team dedicated to her career growth, she has been an unstoppable force in her role as the head of the Investment Accounting Service Delivery team for Aladdin.
Here, Narinder talks about her career path and considerable growth at the firm, the challenges of being a woman leader in the finance industry, and how she continues to prioritize being a “student.”
What are you responsible for in your role?
I lead our Investment Accounting Service Delivery team to deliver operational service and improve the client experience for Aladdin Accounting clients. Aladdin is BlackRock’s investment management technology that is both used internally and delivered externally to other financial institutions. We act as a liaison between the Aladdin business, the accounting operations teams, and Aladdin Accounting clients. My role has a direct impact on current and future relationships with our clients.
Tell us about your career path prior to BlackRock. What inspired you to pursue a career in finance?
Before BlackRock, I worked at other financial services firms, providing strategic oversight of financial reporting, investor servicing, and internal controls for private equity, alternatives, real estate, and other investment types. I pursued a career in finance and accounting because of my strength in understanding complex investments and breaking down the problem to drive to a solution.
What’s the greatest challenge you have faced as a leader, and what has helped you succeed?
The hardest part about being a woman in leadership has been learning to get over the “imposter syndrome,” which so many women in leadership struggle with. Trusting my instincts and depending on my own wealth of experience has helped me. I have a proven track record of delivering results, and sometimes, I need to remind myself of that. There is no one-size-fits-all approach for leaders; your unique background and experiences are what add value. I’ve learned that the answer to fixing imposter syndrome isn’t to fix the individual, but to work within firms such as BlackRock to champion an environment that fosters a variety of leadership styles.
How do you continue learning and developing while also keeping up with the demands of your job?
At BlackRock, we aspire to always be “students of the market.” I love the growth mindset and the firm offers a lot of opportunities for learning and development, which have helped me to better myself. For example, I make it a priority to join networking sessions, fireside chats, and other leadership programs offered here. Being clear about my purpose and tying it back to the business and the firm motivates me to stay passionate about making an impact. Having the right mentors and sponsors has also been instrumental in my development.
On weekends, I catch up on the latest news and industry updates; listening to podcasts on my way to and from work has added so much to my growth. Did you know BlackRock has its own podcast? I also take classes to learn more about the latest in financial services, from building diverse teams to servicing clients.
Your team continues to support an increasing global footprint. What do you attribute your success to?
The growth of our team can be attributed to our people and technology—we work very hard to ensure our clients receive the top-level BlackRock experience. The theme this year for our team has been preparing for that growth. A growing business drives huge opportunities for personal and professional development; we have a whole global team pushing each other to be better each day, and it’s rare to have such a client-driven focus. My team’s top priority is client satisfaction and scale through standardized processes and support for Aladdin Accounting clients.
You’re also continuing to shape your team to support this growth. How will this add value to the team and shape the future of the business?
We are indeed hiring qualified professionals to support our growth. It all goes back to the client experience—ensuring every single client feels supported and that we deliver on expectations. Within our hiring plan, we are seeking a broad range of candidates who can add value and impact to the team and continue to help us challenge ourselves to improve our client delivery. With all the hiring and resources in place, we are confident we will have the teams and processes we need to continue to deliver operational excellence to our clients.
A version of this article was originally published on The Muse.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Written by
We spoke with three of our firm’s Managing Directors who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about Brian Grossman, Kirsty Craig and Alexis McKeown’s experiences of being out in the workplace and how it shaped them into the leaders they are today. What does being a Managing Director and out LGBTQ+ leader at BlackRock mean to you? Brian Grossman (Head of Americas Product Strategy for Alternative Solutions Group): For the majority of my six years at BlackRock, I did not consider being openly gay as integral to my professional trajectory or contribution to the firm. My path to becoming a Managing Director, however, changed my perspective. I am proud and appreciative of the opportunity to represent the LGBTQ+ community. I feel a responsibility to mentor and be a role model for younger professionals, and to use my leadership position to help shape how BlackRock approaches its social impact – particularly with the development of our market-leading investment programs. I am excited and passionate about continuing to work alongside incredibly talented younger professionals across the firm and to help unlock growth opportunities for BlackRock. Kirsty Craig (Head of the Data Strategy & Solutions Team): It’s really important to have diverse senior leaders in the LGBTQ+ space who represent all parts of our community. It’s important to acknowledge the intersectionality of people’s identities and ensure that we have that level of diversity in senior ranks. As I advanced my career at BlackRock, I didn’t personally see people that looked and felt the same as me. So for me, being a Managing Director and a leader for the LGBTQ+ community now is about being a visible role model for everyone at the firm, to give people the chance to see that you can belong at BlackRock. Alexis McKeown (Global Head of Digital Workplace Operations): I’ve been out since I joined BlackRock 16 years ago as a Vice President. I’ve had a lot of opportunities not despite, but because I am a diverse, out and engaged leader. People internally and externally have seen that someone like me can be authentically themselves and excel professionally. Now, as a Managing Director, my responsibilities go far beyond leading my teams. I’m also responsible for helping to create and foster the culture of the entire firm. That means continuing to be a role model for the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. Representation matters! How have you seen the level of industry acceptance of the out LGBTQ+ community change from when you began your career to now? Were there any LGBTQ+ professionals in leadership positions that you looked up to? If not, how did that influence you? Brian: The level of industry acceptance and focus on DEI has changed drastically since the beginning of my career. Authenticity and vulnerability were not as embraced when I started working as an Analyst. At the time, it felt like conformity was more of the norm. This influenced my level of comfort in coming out and being out at work. I had concerns for how being out would negatively impact my career potential. At BlackRock, I feel not only safe, but encouraged to be my authentic self. I also recognize how being both authentic and vulnerable allows for personal and professional growth. Kirsty: I’ve seen a massive shift in industry acceptance, although depending on where you are in the world or how you identify, that experience can be very different and is something we should acknowledge. 2022 has been a great year for increasing female-identifying LGBTQ+ representation in leadership positions at BlackRock. The firm is also focused on building a very exciting bench of junior LGBTQ+ talent, thanks to partnerships like Out 4 Undergrad, Out & Equal and Lesbians Who Tech. That was something that didn’t exist when I started my career. Alexis: I’ve seen a major shift in the industry and in many parts of the world toward LGBTQ+ acceptance. I’ve always felt that being out and involved was a huge advantage – maybe because I live and work in the Bay Area. But I have known others, particularly in client-facing or more male-dominated roles, who have been scared to come out because they feared it would jeopardize their career or their relationships with clients or colleagues. Over time, though, I’ve watched those same colleagues challenge themselves to bring their whole selves to work. It’s been wonderful to see them accepted for who they are and to see how happy being authentic has made them. Now many of them are BlackRock’s most vocal and engaged out leaders. There also seems to have been a generational shift. As part of BlackRock’s Out & Allies Network, I work with incredible Analysts, Associates and VPs who expect to be accepted and appreciated at work. It’s wonderful to see these future leaders continue to push the entire industry forward. Of course, in many countries it’s still not possible to be out. Furthermore, we are seeing more and more U.S. states pass anti-Gay, Lesbian and Trans legislation. It is for those who can’t be or don’t feel safe to be out at work that we continue to raise awareness and fight for acceptance and change. In terms of mentors, early in my career I met Janine Guillot, who was the first Executive Sponsor of BlackRock’s Out & Allies Network. Though no longer with BlackRock, as an out leader championing financial sustainability reporting, she continues to inspire me. Alan Mason, Zach Buchwald and Phil Hodges have all been incredible role models as out and proud BlackRock Managing Directors. With the promotions of Kirsty and Brian to Managing Director this year, we continue to expand the ranks of LGBTQ+ representation at senior levels of BlackRock. I couldn’t be prouder to be in the same class as these amazing leaders. How important has it been for you to have mentors or advocates throughout your career? Brian: Having mentors and advocates has been incredibly important to my career. My personal community of mentors has been diverse. That said, not all diversity is diversity that you can see, which is just one of the reasons why the work that the Out & Allies Network does to build a supportive community and make mentorship connections is so significant. Kirsty: I’ve had different mentors at different points of my career and depending on the challenges I was facing at the time. A concept that I embrace is having a personal Board of Directors – a group of three to five people whom I meet with frequently to discuss my career and challenges. This network of internal BLK sponsors and mentors has helped me navigate challenges like my career path and what opportunities I should be thinking about, and coached me on how to handle difficult issues. Alexis: I’ve met some of my most impactful mentors and advocates through company-sponsored programs. My current manager, Anthony Diaz Matos, was my unofficial mentor for many years before giving me an amazing career opportunity in his organization and supporting me through my entire Managing Director nomination process. Mark McCombe, Executive Sponsor of the Out & Allies Network, has been a vocal and steadfast sponsor for many of us in the LGBTQ+ community. It’s inspiring and builds a strong sense of firm loyalty. I’m also very interested in reverse mentorship programs as a way to constantly get fresh perspectives. This is something I get unsolicited from my kids every day! What advice would you give to members of the LGBTQ+ community, whether out or not, to navigate their careers while also showing up as their full authentic selves? Brian: Self-acceptance and confidence in being your true authentic self in a professional setting is a journey. That journey is unique to each person, and everyone should do what is comfortable when it makes sense for them. I believe, however, that being your authentic self provides you with the ability to better explore your full potential. Kirsty: This may sound cheesy but bring your whole self to work and be proud of who you are. I have made lifelong friendships with people I’ve met at BlackRock by being my true, authentic self. Alexis: Many of us have experienced discrimination or aggression, micro and not-so-micro. I know that being the “other” can be hard, but it can also be an asset. You bring a unique perspective, not despite, but because of who you are. Be proud of that! One of the most inspiring people I know is Erica Seremeta (US & Canada Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Client Engagement), who transitioned after 20 years with BlackRock. Her ability to show up authentically every day is humbling. If your company has an LGBTQ+ network or affinity group, I suggest not only participating but also taking a leadership role. You’ll learn a lot, and more importantly, you’ll get invaluable exposure to senior leaders. Lastly, I highly recommend attending LGBTQ+ conferences and events. There is nothing more inspiring than being in a room full of LGBTQ+ professionals!
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Finding the perfect mentor is often a challenge – and it’s one that Tyler Nelson was determined to help his colleagues overcome. His idea? A Tinder-like program that uses a machine learning algorithm to match mentors and mentees who are members of our Out & Allies Network.
“The project – which included measuring membership trends and recruiting pipelines to create the algorithmically enhanced mentorship program – inspired me to be entrepreneurial and confident with what I could build from scratch,” says the San Francisco-based tech investor. Here, Tyler shares why he believes mentorship is so important, how his art history background prepared him to work in finance and the best career advice he’s ever received.
What initially attracted you to BlackRock, and what are your core responsibilities?
A mentor of mine told me that BlackRock works right at the intersection of investing, technology and sustainability – a trifecta for me! I work on our tech fund as our team’s Data Scientist. I help architect our research and data platform, then ultimately use that data to make investment decisions.
How did you prepare for your interviews with BlackRock?
I practiced narrating my story: Why did I study computer engineering and art history? How did I use analytics to guide my university’s record label? Why do I love investing? Figuring out what clicked and what sounded awkward was a nice feedback loop to confirm I was making the right career decision.
When telling your own story, my advice is two-fold: Be specific and be unique. If you need help, ask a few people close to you how they’d tell your story!
What are you responsible for in your role?
As a project manager within the Technology and Operations business, I lead all merger and acquisition (M&A) activity – supporting the technology platforms, enterprise services, information security and data and artificial intelligence functions, as well as large-scale, cross-functional initiatives.
What has kept you at BlackRock for almost six years?
The opportunity for continual growth. BlackRock is a sandbox of opportunities – one day I could be practicing my Python skills, the next analyzing equity markets, and the next presenting to clients. I can always seek out intellectual stimulation, so whether it’s blockchain technology or sustainability, there’s a high chance someone at BlackRock is working on it.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I was quite proud when my data visualization was coined the “Nelson Plot” by one of the founders of BlackRock. I was tasked with showing how hundreds of different funds would perform in a market selloff, and instead of just box-and-whisker plots, we wanted to show the full distribution of outcomes. I got to use data in a creative way to tell a story and got my trademark on it.
Tell us about the machine learning algorithm you created for BlackRock’s Out & Allies Network to help with its mentorship and career development program.
Mentorship is so important, especially within underrepresented communities. I wanted to design a pairing process that was both effective and fun: a Tinder-like algorithm that matched people with mutual interests and mentorship goals so that the pairing would stick. We had more than 300 employees register, both LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. The algorithm found extremely accurate pairings, matching a San Francisco-based managing director who studied musicology with an analyst in Tokyo who had a passion for orchestral music.
What advice do you have for people who want to become better allies?
Focus on the impact you can make. What actions can help your mentee advance their career, feel acknowledged, or learn a skill? At its essence, allyship is a type of relationship, so as with any relationship, proactivity and consistency go a long way.
You’ve studied engineering, economics, art history and data analytics. Have any of those topics contributed to your work at BlackRock in surprising ways?
Totally! I’m a firm believer that analyzing art is very similar to choosing stocks. In art history, you analyze a painting, contextualize it in its time period, then tell the story of its impact. Same with a stock: You understand its fundamentals, compare its valuation and competitive position versus its peers, and then make a thoughtful recommendation.
How do you practice work-life balance? Are there any related benefits or perks that you take advantage of at BlackRock?
I’m a member of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the de Young Museum, both with support from BlackRock. Visiting a new exhibit after work lets me flex both the left and right sides of my brain, which helps me feel balanced.
What’s one positive change you’ve made to your workday routine since the pandemic began?
I intentionally think about which forms of communication will help fill up my social battery. Trite texts and generic Zoom calls don’t make me feel fulfilled, but meaningful one-on-one video calls or personalized notes can help sustain social relationships in a hybrid work environment.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice was “measure your success not on time spent but on impact made.” Did I drive value? Did I save my team time? Did I think systematically so this task is automated for the future? We’re not robots; we should move away from repetitive tasks and towards value-add vision.
You’re organizing a dinner party with your biggest role models. Who’s invited and what will you talk about?
It would be an eclectic trio: the host of Survivor Jeff Probst, Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri and TikTok icon Noah Beck. All are phenomenal storytellers in their unique ways. In an era where yesterday’s news is quickly irrelevant, it is incredible how have they have entertained their audiences for years, if not decades, on end.
A version of this article was originally published on The Muse.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
Explore Akash's inspiring ascent from intern to technologist at BlackRock.
Learn about this entrepreneur's BlackRock career journey from Program Analyst to Associate.
Spoiler alert! It was a great success.
Learn how Simone White, a BlackRock Administrative Professional, is working to evolve the preconception of APs at the firm and everywhere.
BlackRock is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer in compliance with the U.S. federal contractor program. We are committed to equal employment opportunity to all applicants and existing employees, and we evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity/expression), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability, marital status, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. View the EEOC’s Know Your Rights poster and its supplement and the pay transparency statement.
BlackRock is committed to full inclusion of all qualified individuals and to providing reasonable accommodations or job modifications for individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation/adjustments are needed throughout the employment process, please email Disability.Assistance@blackrock.com. All requests are treated in line with our privacy policy.
I invest on behalf of my clients.
I consult or invest on behalf of a financial institution.
I want to learn more about BlackRock.