To highlight the important work and impressive achievements of women in financial services, the STA Women in Finance Committee is pleased to highlight women from all areas of the industry who aim to inspire the next generation of women in finance.
For this edition, we’re highlighting the career of Katie Mullen, Portfolio Manager in the Asset Management Derivatives division of JPMorgan Asset Management. As lead portfolio manager on a number of investment strategies, Ms. Mullen leverages her experience overseeing a variety of risk measures including market, liquidity, credit, and operational risks. Prior to joining JPMorgan Asset Management in 2022, Katie held portfolio manager and trader positions at PIMCO and Titan Capital Group. Ms. Mullen holds a BSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Yale University.
How did you choose a career in the financial services industry and how do you balance it with your personal passions?
During my undergraduate engineering program, I realized that the field of engineering did not excite me as much as I had hoped it would. While I liked the challenge of the rigorous coursework, I learned through internships that engineering was not the right long-term career fit for me. I learned that discovering what you don’t enjoy can be just as valuable as knowing what you do. After graduation, I pivoted into finance and accepted a role with Bank of America. I found that my role in markets allowed me to spend time immersed in reading about current events, companies, and market dynamics. I recognized that the finance industry offers continuous learning and challenges to solve, and this to me was appealing.
Although I found an industry that I really enjoyed, I also felt that something was missing. Growing up, my parents instilled in me and my siblings the importance of helping others and being good global citizens, and over time, I developed a passion for supporting children in underserved communities. I currently serve on the board of Forte Prep, a charter school in Queens that provides high-quality educational opportunities to low-income and predominantly first-generation families. For me, the combination of my finance career and volunteer work creates a strong sense of drive and purpose.
How has the industry changed recently?
Technology advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, are transforming financial services, making it an incredibly exciting time to be part of this industry. At JPMorgan Asset Management, the head of my division leads the AI program, and I have the privilege of witnessing firsthand the various AI use cases within our business. We are undoubtedly in the early stages of AI adoption, yet the technology continues to advance at an incredible speed. My team and I prioritize learning how AI can help us work smarter and faster. A simple step everyone can take to embrace this change is to put the ChatGPT app on the front screen of their phone. By interacting with it daily, you can learn to leverage the technology more effectively.
What are you most proud of in your career and why?
I am particularly proud of a new investment strategy I recently launched in collaboration with my talented colleagues at JPMorgan Asset Management. The strategy offers a timely solution for clients seeking enhanced returns in the midst of a rate cutting cycle. This project has really highlighted that, with the right mindset and team, (corny as it sounds…) the sky is the limit!
Additionally, I get a great sense of fulfillment from leading a team. I enjoy teaching, building relationships, learning from other’s unique perspectives, and supporting my team members in achieving their goals.
Do you have any words of wisdom for the next generation of women in finance?
I recently heard a quote: “There’s no such thing as failure; it’s just your first attempt at trying to win.” I hope the next generation of women embraces the mindset that failure is progress and a necessary step toward success. Do not be afraid to fail, and if you manage a team, ensure you create space for your team to fail and make mistakes.
As a mom, like so many others, I juggle multiple responsibilities. Whenever I struggle with the elusive “work-life balance,” I remind myself of my own definition of success: “Success is waking up excited to go to work and leaving work thrilled to return home.”