Ask Why, Not Just What: The Ops Mindset Every Fund Needs

In this episode of Preferred Return, we’re joined by Lauren Schirle, Senior Manager - Strategic Initiatives at VIRIDIS Fund Solutions, where she reveals how to maximize the true potential of data.

With a career that bridges the worlds of archival sciences, technology, and finance, Lauren explains how organizing and presenting data is essential for both business decision-making and making historical stories accessible. She talks about her journey from working with archival data to helping companies manage financial information better, showing how well-structured data can tell powerful stories.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to Turn Raw Data Into Actionable Insights: Lauren explains the key steps for organizing data, allowing businesses to make informed decisions.
• Why Data Quality Matters More Than You Think: Learn why accurate and clean data is essential for generating reliable analytics.
• The Critical Skills You Need to Maximize Data Access: Teaching people to ask the right questions can empower teams to use data more effectively.

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Introduction to Lauren Schirle

(02:33) From history and economics to managing $30 billion

(05:16) Data as storytelling: Making historical information accessible

(06:49) Building systems for accessible data in business contexts

(12:50) Information literacy: Asking better questions in business

(17:12) User interaction as a series of questions

(18:45) Lessons from operational roles and historical data work

(37:16) The evolving role of information literacy across industries

(48:20) Advice for GPs: Ensuring data quality and understanding data tools

(52:57) Trends in portal technology and future directions

(55:27) Personal growth through questioning and diverse perspectives

Resources:

• More from Altvia: https://altvia.com/
  
  Connect with Lauren Schirle💡 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-schirle/