5. GENDER EQUALITY

Meet MAKER Alison Nest: Advancing Opportunities for the Next Generation – Morgan Stanley

Written by Amanda

For Ali, it was natural to have junior women by her side. While some might have intimated that it was inappropriate to have them at the table, Ali saw it as imperative. “I pride myself on bringing the next generation forward,” she says. “It is so important for them to have that opportunity and exposure to learn from others, to have their voices heard and to have a seat at the table, too.”

As a Managing Director and Head of Alternative Investments—a group that manages an industry-leading platform with over $200 billion in assets—Ali oversees a team of about 225 individuals, all with different backgrounds and skills. “They are the brightest, most talented people who make me better every day,” says Ali.

She is grateful for the opportunity this leadership role affords, especially given her start at the organization 20 years ago, when she sometimes found herself as the only woman in the room in management meetings. “I was at times hesitant to use my voice,” Ali explains. She says sponsors and mentors would pull her aside, reminding her that “my voice mattered, and people wanted to hear from me. I wouldn’t be here without the support of those who cared about my career and pushed me to take on more.”

In turn, she sees it as her responsibility to “pay it forward and help the next generation of leaders, whether navigating our organization or pushing them out of their comfort zones. I hope to inspire others, and particularly young women, to realize, ‘If she could do it, so can I.’”

 

These efforts are among the many reasons why Ali has been named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, Class of 2024, joining a community of advocates, innovators and groundbreakers for women’s advancement, all nominated by their peers.

Source: morganstanley.com

About the author

Amanda

Hi there, I am Amanda and I work as an editor at impactinvesting.ai;  if you are interested in my services, please reach me at amanda.impactinvesting.ai