49: $500 Million Female Led Fund Team Within a $65 B Multi-Boutique | Small Cap Growth Specialist Rayna Lesser Hannaway of Polen Capital on Owning Your Story | Why Culture and Qualitative Matter | How People Helping People Can Change the Face of the Fund

Billion Dollar Backstory

There’s nothing a woman in a power suit can’t do. Shake up a male-dominated industry? Check. Redefine leadership? Check. Inspire generations to come? Check.

In this episode, Rayna Lesser Hannaway shares her inspiration for doing all of the above.

Listen as Rayna and Stacy discuss:

• Her backstory– from looking up to her fierce, go-getter lawyer mom to becoming a powerhouse female in finance
• How competitive company culture can sabotage the due diligence process
• Her approach to encouraging collaboration and keeping core values at the heart of Polen’s operation
• How collaboration can be a boutique’s secret sauce for standing out amongst the bigs

…and so much more.

About Rayna Lesser Hannaway:

Rayna heads the Small Company Growth Team, is the lead Portfolio Manager of Polen Capital's U.S. Small Company Growth and U.S. SMID Company Growth strategies, and is co-portfolio Manager of Polen Capital's Global SMID Company Growth strategy.

Prior to joining Polen Capital in 2017, Rayna spent nine years in portfolio management and two years as a Research Analyst at Fidelity Investments in Boston, evaluating small and mid-cap companies. She also spent nine years working in small-cap research for Jennison Associates and Lord Abbett & Company. Rayna received a B.A. in Economics from Barnard College, a division of Columbia University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1996. Rayna is a CFA® charterholder and holds a CFA Institute Certificate in ESG Investing.

In 2021, Rayna launched Polen’s WISE employee resource group to support and promote an inclusive and supportive culture for women and their allies across the asset management industry. Rayna is currently a member of the Board of Directors at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay and the Board Chair at RAW Artworks.

Rayna holds a bachelor’s degree in economics (summa cum laude) from Barnard College, Columbia University.

In her free time, Rayna enjoys skiing, hiking, yoga, volunteering in her community, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

Song: U2 - Beautiful Day

Books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek, How to Know a Person by David Brooks, Living with a SEAL by Jesse Itzler

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