Liz Michaels
Chief of Staff and Director of ESG/SRI (Chicago)
What are your key responsibilities?
I wear a number of hats at Aperio including Director of our Values-Aligned Investing efforts, Chief of Staff, and member of our marketing and strategy teams. And, of course, there is the most fashion-forward of my hats—“other duties as assigned”—which may change with the season, but it’s always important to have something unexpected to keep things interesting.
Describe your key previous work experience.
My relevant experience falls into two buckets. The more obvious professional experience: I spent time at Morningstar and Ibbotson learning about data (building data sets, creating ways for investment professionals and researchers to access and use the data in thoughtful ways), about financial advisors (understanding their business so that we could best support them in best serving their clients), about communication (both words and visuals—good writing, expressed in a way that engages and respects the intended audience, visuals that enhance understanding and are consistent). I also spent time at Jellyvision learning about business and a different approach to an interactive communication and education. And then there are the less obvious experiences: Little Red School House focused on training us to be at best clear writers and at a minimum able to identify good writing, probably the most valuable class I took as an undergrad at the University of Chicago; and my liberal arts background, which has proved to be incredibly valuable in working with clients on translating their values into investment portfolios.
What is the most interesting aspect of the job to you?
It has been a privilege to be able to engage with clients with many different value sets and worldviews—to learn from them about different issue areas and how they think about them. And then collaborate with our researchers and portfolio managers to find a solution that uniquely reflects each client’s values.
Describe some noteworthy projects you have worked on that directly impact Aperio’s clients.
Currently, I have been working with an internal team on how to better communicate tracking error—how do we help set more realistic expectations, given what we understand, to reduce disappointments.
What do you like most about working at Aperio?
A bit cliché, but the people are what I like most about working here. Folks at Aperio have chosen to be part of this firm, our approach, our values, and our mission. It is amazing to be part of a group that is striving to do better and to do the right thing by each other and by our clients. I learn from my colleagues on a daily basis—sometimes about business-related stuff and sometimes about books to read, shows to watch, and recipes to try.
What previous role(s) did you serve at Aperio?
I have been at Aperio 11 years, and my role has evolved as we have grown. I live in Chicago so have had the responsibility for our area relationships. While I am still involved, the lead for this is now handled (better) by Julie Enderson and Ellen Reynolds.
What are some non-work-related things we should know about you?
Well … I now have three dogs running around my apartment (yes, that is barking in the background!), so I spend a fair amount of time just walking them. Working on my bread baking and mah-jongg game—both kind of at the same stage: I have the equipment and the directions, but things don’t always turn out quite as desired. Contemplating a Half Iron Man for 2020 … which is one approach to filling your time after sending your youngest off to college.
What postsecondary degrees and/or professional certifications do you possess?
BA in Economics and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
