Member Spotlight-Laurie Durante

WIN’s Member Spotlight provides a glimpse inside the diverse and experienced talent within our organization. In this edition, we get to know Laurie Durante, Executive Director, Head of Platform Strategy and Senior Relationship Manager, National Accounts at FS Investments.

You’ve been a member of WIN for several years and have been incredibly engaged, from speaking to being a part of the Program Committee. What prompted you to join, and why have you remained engaged?

I joined WIN at the suggestion of one of my colleagues when I first moved to the Philadelphia area from New York. My experience with WIN has been fantastic, starting as an attendee at events and meeting many of the impressive members and board, to joining the Program Committee.

WIN has made a big investing network in the Philly area seem smaller. I’ve encouraged many of my colleagues to join and get involved and am so proud that so many have taken part.

The professional development events at WIN are especially valuable. It’s not just the networking aspect—it’s also the content that is presented at these events that can help attendees advance their careers and learn valuable skills that they can use at all levels in their careers. 

WIN is dedicated to empowering professional development in the financial services industry. Could you describe your career path thus far and how you continue to grow and learn new things?

I joined FS Investments five years ago after spending eight years at Morgan Stanley in New York, and I felt a bit lost leaving that experience behind.

I continue to grow and learn by being a student of the business. There are a handful of skills that have helped me stand out and accelerate my career, and they’re the same ones everyone should develop in their own careers, regardless of level. Those include:

·       Go above and beyond the requirements of your position

·       Work harder than the person next to you

·       Overcommunicate!

·       Develop strong organization skills

Finding mentors along the way has also helped me. My current manager is my biggest supporter and has taught me so much about not only how to do my job well, but also how to stand out in a crowded industry and to improve my networking.

One skill I’m still developing is self-promotion. It can feel uncomfortable to talk to others about your accomplishments, but it’s important to do it (in the right way).

Given your focus on Sales Distribution / National Accounts could you speak to some career path possibilities in this growing area? 

National Accounts can go by many names, depending on the firm. People who work in this area are responsible for building relationships with distribution platforms that sell our firm’s products and services, such as wirehouses, registered investment advisers, independent broker/dealers, and fund custodians. In my position, I work as a quarterback for my assigned accounts, streamlining product onboarding and amplification, conference and event coordination, operational and legal fund set-up, and more.

Someone who is interested in my job would typically begin as an associate account/relationship manager and would eventually move into a relationship manager role, then to senior relationship manager. At that level, the role has expanded responsibilities and covers larger accounts.

The role requires a deep understanding of the firm’s strategies and goals and finding ways to build brand exposure. Someone who wants this job should also have great organizational, relationship management, and networking skills.

If you could give one piece of career advice to a young professional, what would it be?

It’s cliché to say this, but NETWORK! People want to do business with those they like and with whom they have a relationship. So, talk to others at WIN, to colleagues, and to external folks in similar and different roles. There are always opportunities to learn from others.

Also, I recommend thinking of ways to give back as you grow in your career, whether that’s mentoring others as they develop or helping on behalf of a good cause. Giving back makes you feel good and helps make the financial services industry better…and who knows, it may come back to help your career as well, which would be a bonus!

Are there any topics or trends you would like to see covered at upcoming WIN events? Why?

As a Program Committee member, it’s tough for me to choose just one, but coming from the alternative investment side of the house, I always enjoy learning more about that space, including private equity, private real estate, private credit, and hedge funds.

I’m going to use this as an opportunity to plug our next FS-hosted WIN event here on board readiness, where attendees will learn how to get involved in for-profit and non-profit boards. We’ll have a great group of panelists, and it should be interesting and informative. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!