In this edition, we get to know Wen Nannen, CFA, a long-time WIN member and investment management professional about what WIN membership means to her as well as her commitment to help stop cultural hate and hate crimes.
You’ve been a member of WIN for several years. What prompted you to join, and why have you remained engaged?
I joined WIN in 2011 when it was much smaller and the only industry group for women in investments in the greater Philadelphia area. What keeps me hooked on WIN is the consistent, high-quality professional development and educational events, and the opportunity to be part of this amazing, supportive community.
I have benefited tremendously from WIN. I got my current job through the referral of a fellow WIN member seven years ago. And through WIN, I’ve had the opportunity to moderate chat sessions with some of the biggest women leaders in finance, including Ellen Cooper, Lincoln’s current CEO, and Joyce Chang, Chair of Global Research at J.P. Morgan.
WIN is dedicated to empowering professional development in the financial services industry. Could you describe your career path thus far and how you came to work in our industry?
I am originally from China and started my career in the U.S. as a credit rating analyst at Moody’s. It turned out that I love doing analysis, conducting research, and expressing my opinions. Not surprising that as my career progressed, I took on roles as a sell-side (investment banking) analyst and a buy-side (investment management) analyst, with increasing responsibilities while also gaining multi-dimensional perspectives on the entire investment ecosystem.
I joined Lincoln Financial Group in 2016 as a corporate credit portfolio manager and have since taken on a more senior role as Managing Director /Vice President, overseeing the $70B plus public corporate portfolio of the general account.
Wen, you are also very involved with Ascend Greater Philadelphia. Can you tell us a little bit more about Ascend and your involvement with that group?
Absolutely. Ascend is the largest pan-Asian professional non-profit organization in North America. We have over 45 chapters, 8,000+ members, and reach over 60,000 pan Asian professionals, students, and allies. Ascend’s vision is to “enhance the presence and influence of current and future Pan-Asian business leaders and serve as a collective voice for Pan-Asian business communities.”
I joined the Ascend Greater Philadelphia Chapter Board in 2021 during the pandemic as I wanted to do my part to stop the anti-Asian hate crimes, help fellow Asian Americans like me to find their own voices, and erase the harmful stereotypes that pit us against other minority groups. Ascend GRT Philadelphia Chapter
If you could give one piece of career advice to a young professional what would it be?
Well, I have definitely made a lot of mistakes but I have also learned a lot throughout my 15+ years career!
To a young professional who maybe just had a setback in their career or a new mother who is debating if she should go back working full time, my advice is to take the long view: it is okay to start later than your peers, okay to take some detours along the way and enjoy the journey itself, not just focus solely on an end goal.
What are some topics or trends you would like to see covered at upcoming WIN events?
There are so many, and WIN has done a fantastic job balancing the need for continuous education and the desire for fun, social and networking events.
To name a few for the future: liability driven investing, cyber security, AI and its impact on investing, and allyship across genders, race, culture, or nationality.