Key Takeaways
- • Lena Diasti, Chief of Staff to John Rogers, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, discusses the role of a Chief of Staff in an investment firm on the Parker Gals podcast.
- • Diasti's path to the role began when her college career office was supposed to forward her resume to a foundation, but Ariel Investments retained it, leading to her working alongside the founder.
- • The episode addresses leaving investment banking before the typical two-year commitment and argues that relationships matter more than technical skills such as Excel modeling.
Summary
In this episode of the Parker Gals podcast, host Liz interviews Lena Diasti, Chief of Staff to John Rogers, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Ariel Investments. The conversation covers the day-to-day responsibilities of a Chief of Staff at an asset management firm and the career transition from investment banking.
Diasti's entry into the role was unconventional. Her college career office was expected to forward her resume to a foundation, but Ariel Investments received it instead, and she ended up working directly alongside the founder. She describes how this placement shaped her understanding of the firm's leadership and decision-making.
The discussion also addresses how to leave investment banking before the traditional two-year analyst period is complete. Diasti emphasizes that relationships and interpersonal judgment often matter more to advancement than technical proficiency, including spreadsheet work.
The episode also includes lighter segments, including a discussion of Gilmore Girls and a cooking tip for smooth hummus, which are not related to the firm's business.
Diasti's entry into the role was unconventional. Her college career office was expected to forward her resume to a foundation, but Ariel Investments received it instead, and she ended up working directly alongside the founder. She describes how this placement shaped her understanding of the firm's leadership and decision-making.
The discussion also addresses how to leave investment banking before the traditional two-year analyst period is complete. Diasti emphasizes that relationships and interpersonal judgment often matter more to advancement than technical proficiency, including spreadsheet work.
The episode also includes lighter segments, including a discussion of Gilmore Girls and a cooking tip for smooth hummus, which are not related to the firm's business.
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