REPLAY - Margaret Chen – Leadership and Outsourcing the Investment Office (Capital Allocators, EP.35)

Career Beginnings

Margaret Chen's journey into investment management was marked by unexpected turns and influences. Initially, she aimed for a career in government, inspired by her role in student government at Yale and her advisor, Edward Tufte, who suggested the Kennedy School of Government as a path 1. Her liberal arts education at Yale, with a focus on political science, equipped her with analytical skills that later proved invaluable in investment management 2. Margaret reflects on her serendipitous path, noting, "Investing is an art, and you have to have judgment and wisdom and experience, and political science is the same thing" 2.

   

Growth at Cambridge

Margaret's professional growth at Cambridge Associates showcases her adaptability and leadership. Starting in the late 1990s, she embraced an apprentice model, learning from senior colleagues and diverse clients, which she likened to a steep learning curve akin to entering college again 3. Her role evolved to managing portfolios and underwriting managers, emphasizing the importance of owning performance outcomes 4. Margaret explains, "If we own it, we have to own it," highlighting the shift in responsibility and execution in investment management 4.

   

Immigrant Influence

Margaret's immigrant background profoundly influenced her professional mindset and approach to business. Her parents, who started businesses after immigrating to the U.S., instilled in her the values of self-sufficiency and independence 5. This upbringing encouraged her to embrace lifelong learning and resilience, as she shares, "Failing is okay. I learned to pick myself up and just move on and say, you know what? There's always tomorrow" 6. These lessons have shaped her leadership style and commitment to continuous personal and professional growth.