Morningstar published its “Top Female Fund Managers of 2024” list on March 6, 2024. This list highlighted 30 female lead portfolio managers and teams of female managers that earned high or above-average People Pillar ratings from Morningstar analysts in the United States.
Q: Tell us about your educational and professional background.
A: I began my career at Putnam Investments as a credit analyst after completing my MBA at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Today I work within Franklin Templeton Fixed Income as the Head of Short Term Liquid Markets. In this role, I have oversight of investment strategies and management of short-duration products. As part of my role, I also serve as the portfolio manager for several funds.
In addition to my work at Franklin Templeton, I have served as a board member for The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield from 2002–2020. This foundation provides financial assistance to residents of Wakefield, MA, in their pursuit of higher education. I started a fund in honor of my parents, The Driscoll Family Fund, signifying the importance that education has had in our lives. This organization has helped thousands of students obtain a higher education since its inception in 1960.
One of the pinnacles of my career was formed as we were coming out of the great financial crisis. I felt the changing regulatory landscape created an opportunity that we could capitalize on through a new strategy in the front end of the fixed income market that we launched in the fall of 2011. This strategy has been successful for over a decade in terms of sales and performance in the ultra-short category.
Q: What are you the most excited about regarding the future of your industry?
A: Financial services is such a dynamic industry, always changing and adapting. I believe we will continue to find new ways to invest that create more efficient returns, but I also hope those investments lead to a positive impact on our clients and society as a whole.
We are excited to now be a part of the Franklin Templeton family. It is such a vast organization that can help grow our business. In the few months since Putnam joined Franklin Templeton, we have been quite engaged with the company’s sales and distribution groups. They have relationships far beyond what Putnam had and have been opening many doors for our business. It will be exciting to see what the future holds!
Q: What do you find the most challenging and the most rewarding about your work?
A: I have managed through a number of different market environments, sometimes they are very favorable, and sometimes they can be very challenging. What I have learned over the years is that in those more challenging times you learn the most, and it can often lead to future success if you manage it the right way. Overall, it has been rewarding to have so many long-term colleagues that make coming into the office enjoyable. We have become like family to one another.
Q: What does being awarded a top female fund manager award from Morningstar mean to you?
A: It means a lot to be recognized next to other outstanding portfolio managers in the industry. As one of only seven female fixed income managers to be recognized, it is a great honor. I’m very thankful to have had such a great team to work with for many years that have also been a part of this success.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring female fund managers?
A: Trust yourself, what you know, and share your ideas with confidence. With that, do your research to justify your idea or proposition, and always be prepared for people to challenge your belief. Not everyone is going to agree with you, and that is fine, but it is important you have sound rationale to justify your opinion.
Also, you need to be your own advocate. That is something that does not always come naturally to women, and it will make a big difference in your career. Always work toward the job you want, not the one you have.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received regarding your career?
A: A mentor once told me: “Don’t apologize for who you are or what is most important to you.”
Q: Tell us more about yourself on a personal level.
A: My husband Bob and I have two children: Emma who is a freshman in high school, and Aidan who is in eighth grade. The kids are passionate about sports, so we spend a lot of time shuttling them to practices and games. Most weekends you can find us on a football or soccer field, at basketball games, or watching them both play lacrosse. In the summer, we enjoy our home on Cape Cod, spending time at the beach and with our yellow lab Maddie.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal.
Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls.
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