We’ve provided synopses of their professional backgrounds and a Q&A to amplify the experience and motivation they bring to the program.
Raymund Boltron is a Research Associate on the Communication Services Research Team. Prior to joining Brandes, he was a teaching assistant at the University of Iowa and a staff accountant at Marsh and McLennan. Mr. Boltron earned his MS in finance and business analytics, and his BBA in finance from the University of Iowa. He joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2022.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: I wanted to volunteer for this program to give back, but it always turns out I receive more wisdom. Also, I believe mentorship is important, as the youth is the hope of our future.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: As a teenager, I often bought $5 bikes and sold them for $100. Since then, I have been hooked. Investment management creates an opportunity to pursue financial security through efficient capital allocation.
Yingbin Chen is a Director, Investments Group and a Senior Analyst on the Technology Research Team. She is a member of the Small-Cap Investment Committee and the All-Cap Investment Committee. Ms. Chen is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. Before joining Brandes, she was a Technology Officer with a major U.S. money center bank and a Technology Consultant with a major U.S. technology company. Ms. Chen earned her International MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and her MS in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Her relevant experience began in 2001 when she joined Brandes Investment Partners.
Q: What led you and others to initiate the mentorship program?
A: In my 20+ years at Brandes, I often reflected on why for the last decade or so, the percentage of women in the investment management (equity research and portfolio management) profession was persistently low with percentages in the teens. Through my own experiences and that of my female colleagues, I believe that this is a great profession for women, and many women are well qualified and excel at the job. My observation was that young women were often not very aware of investment management profession (IM) and what it entailed, or that they perceived the barrier to entry as exceedingly high. Such lack of awareness and misperception likely has deterred their preparation for a career in IM, which makes the perception, misguided as it is, self-reinforcing. The Brandes RISE Mentorship Program aims to break this cycle, and help motivated young women who are inquisitive and analytical to learn about IM as a profession early in college, boost their confidence and jumpstart their preparation to pursue a career in IM or related fields. It’s very exciting to start this program with my colleagues here at Brandes, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our mentees and local colleges through this program.
Jason DuMont is a Research Associate on the Health Care Team, primarily covering companies within the Pharma and Biotech industries. Prior to joining Brandes in 2023, Jason was a Research Analyst intern at GROW Funds LLC and Gateway Partners Inc. Jason earned his BBA in finance from Point Loma Nazarene University and his MS in finance from the University of San Diego, Knauss School of Business.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: As a student I found it overwhelming to understand the different job
opportunities and which jobs would complement my strengths and interests.
Thankfully, I had multiple mentors to help me break down the industry and walk
me through what career paths may be the best fit. I volunteered for this
program because I want to provide that assistance for someone in the same
position I was in as a student. I have experienced first-hand how impactful
mentorship can be and look forward to sharing my experiences to make an impact
on someone else’s career.
Beth Hammerstrand is a member of the Investment Decision Implementation team (IDI), which is part of the Trading Dept. IDI facilitates the implementation of the firm’s investment decisions in all client account types on behalf of our investment committees. She was previously the Manager of the Managed Accounts team. Before joining Brandes, she was a Business Manager with Provident Capital Corp. Ms. Hammerstrand holds a BA in political science (with honors) from the University of Portland. Her relevant experience began in 1998 and she joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2000.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: As I was starting out and trying to figure out how to begin my career in finance (with a political science degree), I spoke with many different people and had several mentors and advocates assisting me as I took each career step. Each contributed something different to my pathway. Looking back, though, none of those people that I relied on early in my career were women, as investment management was still very male dominated at the time. When I joined Brandes 23 years ago, my supervisor, manager and director were all men, but I quickly began meeting successful women at Brandes and in the CFA Society of San Diego. I have benefited from various mentors during my career and now that I am towards the tail end of my career, I want to give back, especially to women just starting their careers. I also think that I could learn a lot from the younger generation.
Q: Why do you think mentorship is important?
A: It takes a village, as they say! Whether it was serving as a sounding board, sharing a word of encouragement, proof reading my resume or serving as a reference, I found that my mentors were instrumental in my career and in my life. It is very important to seek out mentors and it is equally import for those of us in the later stages of our careers to give back and assist in developing a diverse talent pool that is seeking to enter the various fields of finance and investment management in particular.
Sarah Hendley works in the human resources capacity and focuses on benefit and wellness program management. Ms. Hendley earned her BS in cell and developmental biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and began her human resources career in the San Diego biosciences industry. She transitioned to financial services when she joined Brandes in 2011.
Q: How has mentorship impacted you in your career at Brandes Investment Partners?
A: When at the beginning of a career, seeking out someone who offers quality guidance, shares experiences and who is willing to be a sounding board makes all the difference. However, mentorship doesn’t have a finite timeline --- I still have mentors at this stage in my career at Brandes. My hope is to successfully provide mentees with key insights in support of their careers and successes while drawing upon the benefits I’ve received personally as a mentor.
Michael Hutchens is a Director, Investments Group and a Senior Analyst with team leader responsibilities on the Financial Institutions Research Team. He is a member of the Small-Mid Cap Investment Committee and the All-Cap Investment Committee. Mr. Hutchens is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. Before joining Brandes, he was a Bank examiner with the Federal Reserve System. Mr. Hutchens earned his MBA with a concentration in finance from Columbia Business School and his BS in business with a concentration in finance from Indiana University. His experience began in 1994 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2001.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: At different stages in my career, I have benefited from mentorship by more senior professionals who graciously shared their experiences and insights. I have attempted to pay it forward by sharing some of my knowledge and insights with young professionals and university students interested in asset management. I am particularly excited about this program, given the underrepresentation of women in this industry.
Q: Why do you think mentorship is important?
A: There is a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge in this industry and at a firm like Brandes. It is imperative that this knowledge is not lost during generational transformation. This industry has an uncanny knack to have to relearn past lessons and repeat past mistakes. As Mark Twain is believed to have said, history doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes.
Matthew Johnson is responsible for sales management, product distribution and business development. He also leads strategy development, planning and execution of the firm’s field sales efforts. Previously, Mr. Johnson was a Product Manager for Brandes’ Global, Global Balanced and U.S. Equity strategies. He also held the position of Regional Director with the firm’s Marketing and Client Services teams. Mr. Johnson is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. He holds a JD from Santa Clara University and a BA from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Johnson’s relevant experience began in 1993 when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.
Q. Why do you think mentorship is important?
A: Over the years, I’ve been so lucky to work with and learn from so many experienced team members and colleagues here at Brandes. Their mentorship and guidance were indispensable to my understanding and professional growth in the asset management business. I’d certainly love to pass along some of the good stuff I’ve learned over the years, provided anyone is willing to listen. However, I strongly suspect I’ll end up expanding my horizons yet further and learning even more myself - and I’m looking forward to that!
Melissa Kitterman is a Human Resources Manager and oversees payroll and compensation functions along with staffing in the Investments Division. She has over 30 years of human resources industry experience. Prior to this she was a 7th grade public school teacher. Ms. Kitterman earned her BS in education and Spanish from the University of North Florida. She joined Brandes in 2005.
Q: What lead you to volunteer for this program?
A: I graduated during a recession and was having difficulty securing stable employment in my field. I was able to find a position in a financial services firm and that changed the trajectory of everything. I took a temporary job at a firm not expecting to change my focus. I found working in this industry provided me the opportunity to learn and grow more than I could have imagined. I left school not knowing anything about this industry. I look back and wish that there was someone who would have shown me more paths to explore. I would have been more deliberate in my first steps. I want to be able to help provide choices to others.
Ray Lewis leads the development and execution of integrated global-marketing and communications strategies encompassing all of the firm’s client channels and investment products. She also oversees corporate initiatives. Before joining Brandes, Ms. Lewis was an Assistant Vice President, Investment Management Services Division, at Prudential Securities. She earned her BS in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses. Ms. Lewis was a member of PAICR, the asset management marketing association, from 2000 to 2017, where she served as Secretary on the Board of Directors (2014-2016). Her relevant experience began in 1988 and she joined Brandes Investment Partners in 1996.
Q: What led you to co-found the Women’s Network at Brandes?
A: When I started in the financial services industry on Wall Street over 30 years ago, it was a male-dominated business environment, and I did not have many female role models to emulate. As I moved through my career, I committed to being a positive female influence and frequently advocated on behalf of other women and helped them succeed. And, along the way, there were leaders who did the same for me. Through Brandes RISE, I look forward to mentoring students seeking a career in asset management by sharing experiences, being a sounding board, encouraging new ways of thinking, challenging assumptions, and offering support and guidance. I know I will learn as well - together we will rise.
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.
Catherine Madrigal is a Marketing Associate in the Marketing Department. She is responsible for supporting various marketing initiatives and campaigns to drive brand awareness, customer engagement, and lead generation. Previously, Ms. Madrigal was 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, she 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.
Jason Manley is a Research Associate on the Basic Materials Team, and also has experience covering select telecommunication and consumer companies. Prior to joining Brandes in 2020, Jason was a Research Analyst intern at Thompson Research Group in Nashville, Tennessee. Jason earned his BA in Economics with minors in Cognitive Science and Mathematics from the University of California, San Diego and his MS in Finance from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management.
Nathan Mark is a Senior Research Associate on the Basic Materials and Utilities Research Teams. He works on companies in the cyclical commodity and energy-related industries as well as various other consumer and industrial businesses. Mr. Mark earned a BS in information systems and business analytics from Loyola Marymount University. He joined Brandes upon his graduation in 2021.
Q: Why did you pursue a career in investment management?
A: I pursued a career in investing because I fell in love with the intellectual challenge of analyzing markets and businesses. In a sense, our job is to gain a better understanding of how the world works which makes every single day different and exciting.
Namrata Mullapudi is a Research Associate on the Communications Services Team. Namrata earned her MS in Finance from University of California, Riverside’s A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management and her BBA in Finance from PES University in Bangalore, India. Prior to joining Brandes in 2021, she was a Financial Analyst intern at a pharmaceuticals firm in India.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: This program is a perfect opportunity for young women to be represented and supported in an industry which is hard to navigate at times. I definitely relate to the difficulties of finding your path the start of your career. I hope to guide my mentee by sharing my experiences and mistakes. I would have really appreciated having a program like this to explore a particular field with a mentor to advise me along the way, which is why I am excited to be a part of it. I trust that this program can inspire more young women to pursue a career in investment management.
Nicole Musser is a Research Associate on the Financials Team. She earned her MSc in Management from London Business School and her BA in International Relations from the University of Southern California. Prior to joining Brandes in 2023, she was a Business Development and Strategy intern at American Express.
Q: What led you to volunteer for this program?
A: The range of fields students can choose from is exciting but can also be daunting. The program is an exceptional vehicle for young women to consider what a career in investment management entails. I hope the program will encourage more women to pursue a career in this industry, as lack of information seems to be one of the barriers. I am thankful for those who have guided me in my career thus far and am eager to be a part of more young professionals’ journeys.
Marsha Otto manages the firm’s proprietary mutual fund and ETF businesses, and oversees fund-related business development and portfolio management activities. Prior to her current role, Ms. Otto held the following positions at Brandes: Product Coordinator for the Emerging Markets and Asia ex-Japan Portfolios; Portfolio Manager and Team Leader for Private Client Services; and Supervisor of the Sub-Advisory Trading Department.
Before joining the firm, she was a Securities Broker and Qualified Retirement Account Specialist with Jack White & Company (later purchased by TD Ameritrade). Ms. Otto holds a BA in economics from the University of California, San Diego, and is a CFA charter holder and a member of CFA Society San Diego. Her relevant experience began in 1993 and she joined Brandes Investment Partners in 1996.
Q: You were among the first few to volunteer for this mentorship program. What makes you so enthusiastic about the program?
A: A number of years ago I presented to the SDSU Finance Club and spoke at a similar UCSD event. Following the events, a handful of women contacted me to discuss my experience in the finance industry and asked for guidance. I was so impressed by their earnestness and felt inspired to make myself more available in this capacity.
Joe Scafidi manages the day-to-day operations and trading strategy for Brandes’ global trading desk. He also oversees the execution of trades for all institutional, private-client and sub-advisory wrap portfolios, as well as program trading. He is a member of the Executive Management Group, which is responsible for the firm’s day-to-day operations and long-term strategic direction, and a member of the Investment Oversight Committee. Mr. Scafidi is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.
Before joining Brandes, he was head of the International Institutional Trading Desk for Morgan Stanley, after holding senior roles at several firms including Deutsche Bank, Lehman Brothers and Bank of America. Mr. Scafidi has extensive product knowledge in U.S. and non-U.S. equity markets. Additionally, he had significant experience managing trading professionals and building positive relationships with institutional clients. Mr. Scafidi is a member of the NYSE Institutional Traders Advisory Committee, the IEX Buy-Side Trading Advisory Committee, the Investment Company Institute (ICI) and the National Organization of Investment professionals (NOIP). He earned a BA in economics from Montclair State University. His relevant experience began in 1986 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2007.
Lawrence Taylor works with institutional clients and their consultants to provide insights and interpretation of the firm’s portfolio strategies and investment philosophy. He coordinates with Investment Committees to ensure that the firm accommodates client-specific guidelines and considers existing portfolio allocations when implementing investment decisions.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Taylor was an Associate Portfolio Manager/Analyst at Brandes. Before joining the firm, he was an Investment Analyst with the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System. Mr. Taylor holds a BA from the University of California, San Diego. His relevant experience began in 1993 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 1995.