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Jacqueline Hurley was recognized for Excellence in Asset Management at the 2016 Women in Finance Markets Choice Awards.

I am a Portfolio Manager and Trader on the Equities Portfolio Management and Implementation team at QS Investors. I have been with the team since we spun out of Deutsche Asset Management in 2010 and had been with the group for two years prior to that. My day-to-day role touches upon nearly every aspect of the portfolio management process including model validation, portfolio construction, risk/exposure management, trading, best execution analysis, performance/attribution analysis, and client reporting. My team acts in somewhat of a “hub-and-spoke” manner with the rest of the groups at QS, and it’s this highly integrated model that allows for us to have a complete lifecycle perspective of the investment management process. I also sit on the Equity Investment Oversight Committee and represent the team in monthly Equity Strategy meetings.  

The highlights of my career to date would have to start with the successful transition I made from business management consulting to the finance industry by getting my MBA from The University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 2008. I supplemented that knowledge base a few years later by earning the CFA designation. 

At QS, my greatest achievements revolve around the innovative product solutions that we offer our clients. We pride ourselves on working with clients to develop strategies that meet their specific investment goals and maintain an open dialog regarding our dynamic investment process. Our systematic and adaptive approach allows us to deliver consistent, repeatable and risk-controlled returns while responding to changing market environments.

What do you — and by extension, your team and organization — do to achieve excellence in asset management?

The Asset Management industry is changing rapidly. With fee compression in active management and the rising popularity of ETFs, smart beta, and other passive products, we look to stay ahead of the curve by adapting our equity product offerings accordingly and continuing to provide customized solutions. My team has launched six smart beta ETFs in the past calendar year while also working with our Research team to further evolve our bottom-up stock selection model and liquid alternatives strategies.

What is your perspective on being a successful woman working in financial markets, and what is your advice to those who may strive for this?

I’m fortunate enough to work for a firm that has women occupying both CEO and CIO roles, and is comprised of40% women. This is a highly unusual statistic for a financial firm in general, and even more so for a “quant shop”.  I think the culture of a firm is paramount to the success of all its employees.  The diversity within QS as well as the supportive, collaborative and collegial environment are what make it a great place to develop one’s career.  Outside of your day-to-day responsibilities, actively networking with peers, seeking mentorship or being a mentor, and being passionate about pursuing your path are key.

Lastly, take care of yourself!  We all hear about women striving for the ever-elusive work/life balance.  You can’t have a career if you don’t have your health.  Eat well, exercise, make (and actually go to) those check-up appointments!  I was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2015, and lucky in that I caught it early enough, that it had only progressed to stage 2B.  The support of my firm throughout my treatment was phenomenal – I was offered any & all time off that I needed. My team completely had my back on those days when I didn’t feel up to going to the office or had to leave for hours at a time for appointments.  I’m happy to say that with the support of my family, friends and colleagues, I’m now cancer free and look forward to a long career and more importantly, a long, healthy and happy life.