7 6 Charting a Course in Finance In the bustling world of finance, a field often depicted as a male-dominated arena, Lauren Surzyn is an inspiration to many. As the Chief Operating Officer of Kirkoswald, a successful asset management firm, Lauren's journey from a math-loving student to a prominent figure in finance is a story of personal achievement. She offers a possible road map for aspiring young minds interested in the financial sector. From Curiosity to COO Lauren's fascination with math, science, and problem-solving was evident early on. "As a little girl, I loved math, science, and problem solving, and took all the advanced courses offered at my boarding school," Lauren recalls. In fact, Lauren completed all of the math courses offered at her boarding school, so as a 12th-grader, she helped teach pre-calculus to 11th-grade classes. When looking for colleges, Lauren wanted to study somewhere that offered her the opportunity to continue taking the courses she excelled in, but also incorporated the disciplines of business and finance. This drive led her to Princeton University to study Operations Research and Financial Engineering, and later to UBS Investment Bank, when she joined the graduate training program in the Equities division. “I then worked in the Prime Brokerage division in both NYC and London, offering services to our hedge fund and asset management clients.” While working, Lauren also attended Columbia Business School to continue to hone her skills by taking practical courses taught by acclaimed business practitioners across industries. With a blend of academic excellence and real-world experience, Lauren was appointed US Chief Operating Officer at Kirkoswald. A Day in the Life Lauren's role is varied because as Chief Operating Officer she oversees various parts of the business besides investing; such as managing people, making sure rules are followed, running operations, handling technology, promoting the business, dealing with brokers, managing public image, checking operational details, and planning strategy. "My day revolves around leading strategic business initiatives to ensure that best-inclass practices are implemented firm-wide," she explains. This involves a mix of meetings, listening to suggestions posed by her teammates, making suggestions to her management committee on initiatives they can pursue, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. The job requires an analytical mindset, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment—skills Lauren identifies as crucial for success in finance. “Methodical thinking, being deliberate, and listening to others are essential,” she said. Balancing Act The finance industry has a reputation as being demanding. Maintaining a work-life balance is important to Lauren, who starts her day early to carve out time for exercise, family, and work. “I try to spend 20 minutes with my family before I head to work. When I come home from work, I read and play games with my children, catch up with my husband, and then log back in to respond to work matters or my volunteer work.” The Journey of a Successful Chief Operating Officer
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