Here are the mentors that participate in the Brandes RISE Mentorship Program. We’ve provided synopses of their professional background and Q&A to amplify the experience and motivation they will bring to program participants.
Andrew Macdonald works in close coordination with Investment Committees to support client service and business development efforts by providing insights into the firm’s portfolio strategies and investment philosophy. He was previously an Equity Research Associate. Mr. Macdonald holds a BS in business administration (with highest distinction) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His relevant experience began in 2009 when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: Growing up during the technology bubble and then the subsequent real estate bubble I became quite interested in learning more about financial markets and investing. While I had no idea about the actual different career opportunities in investment management – when I was young I initially thought I wanted to be a stock broker as I thought they were the ones who managed money and made investment recommendations – I became interested in investing and after starting to invest my own money I realized how much I enjoyed learning about different businesses. A career in investment management has been a great opportunity to continue to learn about businesses, the world, and financial markets.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: I teach a class at a local university where the students get real life investing experience running their own class portfolio. I have really enjoyed teaching the class and learning from the perspective of the students. I have seen first-hand the benefits of learning from others with different perspectives. I think that the industry in general can significantly benefit if we help grow diverse perspectives coming into the industry, especially from those groups which are significantly underrepresented within the investment management industry.
Andrew Macdonald works in close coordination with Investment Committees to support client service and business development efforts by providing insights into the firm’s portfolio strategies and investment philosophy. He was previously an Equity Research Associate. Mr. Macdonald holds a BS in business administration (with highest distinction) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His relevant experience began in 2009 when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: Growing up during the technology bubble and then the subsequent real estate bubble I became quite interested in learning more about financial markets and investing. While I had no idea about the actual different career opportunities in investment management – when I was young I initially thought I wanted to be a stock broker as I thought they were the ones who managed money and made investment recommendations – I became interested in investing and after starting to invest my own money I realized how much I enjoyed learning about different businesses. A career in investment management has been a great opportunity to continue to learn about businesses, the world, and financial markets.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: I teach a class at a local university where the students get real life investing experience running their own class portfolio. I have really enjoyed teaching the class and learning from the perspective of the students. I have seen first-hand the benefits of learning from others with different perspectives. I think that the industry in general can significantly benefit if we help grow diverse perspectives coming into the industry, especially from those groups which are significantly underrepresented within the investment management industry.