Investing In Integrity Scholars of Finance

In this episode of Investing In Integrity, we spoke with Arielle Patrick, Chief Communications Officer of Ariel Investments. 



Arielle leads an integrated team responsible for all communications for the $16.2 billion global asset management firm and its private equity arm.



This episode is a masterclass on essential communication skills for all finance professionals. Arielle also explains the recent rebranding of Ariel Investments, which introduced the tagline, ‘Active Patience.’ She emphasizes the importance of the brand reflecting specific changes in the firm’s asset management strategy and client service approach and speaks more broadly about the changing role and reputation of financial services in the public understanding. 

Additionally, she discusses the ethical obligations of communications leaders and how to handle situations when professional duty conflicts with personal values. Whether you’re keen on improving your communications skills or learning about another leader’s real-world perspective on ethical dilemmas, this episode is for you.



00:00 - Intro



11:08 - Communications Leadership & Role at Ariel Investments



33:08 - Rapid Fire

Working in finance is essentially “safeguarding people’s lives and dreams,” according to Gunjan Kedia, Vice Chair of Wealth Management and Investment Services at U.S. Bank.

“The most successful leaders and firms in finance,” Gunjan argues, are those who carry this obligation “close to heart, and never let people become just a statistic.”

U.S. Bank, Gunjan explains, follows this principle through efforts to bring equal access to wealth management and robo-advisory technology in serving clients

In the episode, Gunjan shares her journey in the financial services industry, including her experience as a management consultant at McKinsey, and the values and principles that have contributed to her ascent through the ranks of banking leadership.

She also describes the difficulties in balancing raising a family and keeping a personal life with building a professional career, and emphasizes the importance of honesty and courage in the workplace to navigate difficult situations.

We hope you enjoy the conversation!



Disclaimer: Automated Investor is offered by U.S. Bank affiliate, U.S. Bancorp Investments.



00:00 - Intro

16:32 - US Bank

34:04 - Doing Good in Finance

42:36 - Rapid Fire

In this episode of Investing in Integrity, Ross had the pleasure of speaking with Rory Gwozdz in our first ever alumni interview. Rory was one of the Co-Founders of our UC Berkeley chapter and is currently a trader at the hedge fund The Voleon Group.

Rory shares his experience of charting his initial path in finance. As a recent graduate of UC Berkeley, he offers relatable insights into choosing your professional careers from a student perspective. He candidly takes us through his journey and passion in finance through his academic years, and discusses how he realized he could follow his passion for options trading by building his own trading firm post-grad.

Rory was an incredible student member of SOF and we are so grateful for his commitment to the next generations of SOF students as a professional member and donor. This is a great podcast touching on values of entrepreneurship, dedication, and ethical finance from one of our very own alumni. We hope you tune in!



00:00 - Intro

09:10 - Perception of Finance

15:34 - Ethical Design and Regulation

36:34 - Involvement in SOF

42:28 - Impactful, Ethical Finance

In this episode of Investing In Integrity, Ross Overline spoke with Michael Sonnenshein, CEO at Grayscale Investments. For context, Grayscale is the world’s largest digital currency asset manager, and its flagship product, the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, or GBTC for short, has had major ups & downs in the last couple years – just like Bitcoin.  Ross & Michael dig into some of the major controversies and flashpoints in crypto, from the recent collapse of FTX, to Grayscale’s clash with the SEC over launching a Bitcoin spot ETF.

A decade-long crypto veteran, Michael describes the present moment as a “third winter” in the backdrop of a possible recession, but argues there is ample reason to be bullish. With measured optimism, Michael answers some of the core existential questions about crypto, from its viability as an asset class, to whether NFTs and memecoins are useful innovations.

Michael also shares some thoughts on leadership, gained from working at one of the most dynamic and unpredictable edges of finance.

We hope you enjoy this timely conversation on some of the hottest issues in crypto!

00:00 - Intro

18:04 - SEC Lawsuit, Regulation

31:23 - Crypto as an Asset Class, Recession Context

36:06 - Rapid Fire

In this episode of Investing In Integrity, Ross Overline spoke with Tim Welsh, Vice Chair of Consumer and Business Banking at U.S. Bank. This conversation is all about helping other people to achieve their goals, and how a mindset grounded in humility, compassion, and integrity should be at the center of banking.

Tim’s career started in management consulting, spanning over two decades at McKinsey. He discusses in-depth how a leadership foundation in solving problems and helping clients has informed his decision-making as the head of over 25,000 people in the consumer and business banking divisions of U.S. Bank.

“Job titles are irrelevant if you’re not making a difference in people’s lives,” Tim says. This conversation has a timeless quality to it, as Tim touches on inflection points in his own career and U.S. Bank’s journey, and explains how leadership principles and values have helped him and his countless employees and clients to prosper.

We hope you enjoy this evergreen conversation on the importance of serving others and staying true to principles in leadership!



00:00 - Intro

11:40 - Leadership

34:35 - Consumer Banking

38:01 - Philanthropy

39:16 - Rapid Fire

In this episode of Investing In Integrity, Ross chatted with Vijay Tirathrai, Managing Director of Techstars, a juggernaut startup accelerator which has had 2,900 companies go through its accelerator programs, adding up to a combined market capitalization of over $70 billion.

Vijay’s journey spans founding, failing, building, scaling, and exiting as a serial startup founder – and then investing, advising, and mentoring as a venture investor at Techstars. Vijay emphasizes the role of integrity in startup leadership, especially through vulnerability and tenacity as a team-member in his own companies. “The quicker we can get to openness, the faster we build trust,” Vijay says, explaining how it’s important for leaders to be forthcoming about challenges, setbacks, and the failures they face.

A prolific and successful entrepreneur, Vijay explains how getting “agitated” about unsolved problems in his life inspired him to start several companies, including a cycling helmet manufacturer, an association and events management platform, and a corporate venture capital firm.

And as a seasoned investor and advisor, Vijay also unpacks how Techstars operates, highlighting how they “don’t have a timeline for when investors need to exit” as a firm that believes in “patient capital.” He emphasizes the role of a curated, talent-dense network in facilitating growth and collaboration. “Start a company because you’re passionate about solving a problem, start today,” Vijay says. “If you fail, even better – stop procrastinating and get it done!”

We hope you enjoy this conversation on entrepreneurship, integrity, vulnerability, and the principles underpinning great leadership in the startup space!



00:00 - Intro

15:06 - Entrepreneurship

29:49 - Techstars Role

36:03 - Rapid Fire