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.
Catherine Madrigal is a Research Associate on the Consumer Products Team, covering a wide range of industries including food, home and personal care, beverage, and retail. In 2021, Catherine earned her BS in finance with a focus in accounting from Loyola Marymount University and joined Brandes in the fall. Before this, she was a buying intern at TJX, Inc. and most recently, she worked with the founders of Equipt Women, a professional mentorship startup, to create a program which aims to educate and support women in the early-mid stages of their careers.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: Math, business, and psychology were always the subjects that interested me the most, but it wasn’t until I took my Valuation & Financial modeling course in college that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in investment management. I love how the field covers all kinds of businesses, utilizes technical (math) skills, and requires a deep understanding of people (i.e., consumer behavior). As one of my finance professors put it, “Valuation is not a science or an art, it is a craft.” One of the most challenging and rewarding parts about investment management is that no two days are ever the same, so there is always an opportunity to learn something new and develop your craft.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: As a young woman who just graduated college, I know how difficult it can be to find mentorship on your own. During one of my virtual classes, I was lucky enough to e-meet Kelly Mooney, who was starting her own mentorship program for women at the time. I ended up working with her last summer on the project and just participated in the pilot program this year. In that short amount of time, I was able to gain so much clarity about my career goals and what steps I needed to take to get there, thanks to the conversations I had with Kelly and the other incredible women in the program. Knowing how much of a difference mentorship has made in my life, I am excited for the opportunity to help another women in the same way.
Catherine Madrigal is a Research Associate on the Consumer Products Team, covering a wide range of industries including food, home and personal care, beverage, and retail. In 2021, Catherine earned her BS in finance with a focus in accounting from Loyola Marymount University and joined Brandes in the fall. Before this, she was a buying intern at TJX, Inc. and most recently, she worked with the founders of Equipt Women, a professional mentorship startup, to create a program which aims to educate and support women in the early-mid stages of their careers.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: Math, business, and psychology were always the subjects that interested me the most, but it wasn’t until I took my Valuation & Financial modeling course in college that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in investment management. I love how the field covers all kinds of businesses, utilizes technical (math) skills, and requires a deep understanding of people (i.e., consumer behavior). As one of my finance professors put it, “Valuation is not a science or an art, it is a craft.” One of the most challenging and rewarding parts about investment management is that no two days are ever the same, so there is always an opportunity to learn something new and develop your craft.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: As a young woman who just graduated college, I know how difficult it can be to find mentorship on your own. During one of my virtual classes, I was lucky enough to e-meet Kelly Mooney, who was starting her own mentorship program for women at the time. I ended up working with her last summer on the project and just participated in the pilot program this year. In that short amount of time, I was able to gain so much clarity about my career goals and what steps I needed to take to get there, thanks to the conversations I had with Kelly and the other incredible women in the program. Knowing how much of a difference mentorship has made in my life, I am excited for the opportunity to help another women in the same way.