STA Women in Finance Committee highlights the careers of more inspiring women in 2024 following the incredible support and engagement they received last year. In this interview, Inessa Ruffman, STA WIF Chair and Christine Lee, STA WIF Vice Chair, speaks with Lesley Kelly, Head Trader and Partner at Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners in New York.
Prior to joining Venrock in 2020, Ms. Kelly was a Managing Director at Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets and was Head of Healthcare Trading, Co-Head of the RBC Foundation, and Executive Co-Head of the RVets Employee Resource Group. She has also served as Global Head Trader and Partner of a New York based multi-strategy hedge fund after starting her career in the industry at Citigroup in healthcare trading. Prior to finance, Ms. Kelly served on active duty as an Intelligence Officer and Jumpmaster in the U.S. Army and continues to actively support several Veteran philanthropies.
Why did you choose a career in the financial services industry? How did you get started?
Growing up, my parents wanted me to become a doctor, a lawyer, or a dentist, however, I had a strong desire and curiosity about going into the FBI and the military. While I started down the path being pre-med in college, I also was in Army ROTC and ultimately decided that I wanted to pursue active duty. I gained some invaluable experience from the military and really tested myself mentally, physically, and professionally. After four years of active duty, I decided I was not going to be career-military, and applied to the FBI, simultaneously applying to business schools as well. While I was accepted by the FBI, they had a hiring freeze and I ended up going to business school instead. Shortly after starting business school, 9/11 happened and a lot of FBI applicants were activated. Being torn between going after something I had always been wanting to do and staying in school to learn the fundamentals of business, I stayed in my MBA program, with the knowledge the FBI would still keep the option open for me if I changed my mind down the road.
I learned quickly in school that finance was the most interesting area for me to explore and in short order had to figure out what in finance would fit my interest, passion and skillset. I was most gravitated to sales and trading for the dynamic nature, competitive environment and interactive energy it was. The economy post-9/11 was terrible, and internships were hard to come by, but I was fortunate to receive a summer internship at Citigroup and full-time offer at the end of the summer.
I started on the Cash Equity Trading desk working with the head of the desk in the Healthcare sector.
How has the industry changed in the time that you’ve been part of it?
“Wall Street” has become more diverse and is much more thoughtful around hiring and developing healthy cultures.
When I started in Sales and Trading, you had to know how to be thick skinned, the Army helped me with that part. It’s a fast-paced environment, you have to know what you’re doing, earn the respect of your peers and seniors. It was definitely a steep learning curve in the beginning – that hasn’t changed. You still have to learn and be good at your job to grow, succeed, have more opportunities.
What are you most proud of in your career and why?
I am proud of being from a 1st generation immigrant family, growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, serving my country and making my way into the financial industry working with some really incredible people. Hard work, persistence and determination helped to get me into each new chapter of my life and career transitions. I am also very proud that I have been able to raise more awareness in supporting our Veterans through career transitions, scholarships for our Gold Star families and mental health for our service members, first responders and their families.
What are your hopes for the future of the industry?
There are still not enough women in the financial industry. I hope with continued corporate outreach and other mentorship programs, we can attract more women into finance. I know finance can be intimidating when you don’t know anyone in the industry, but there is no reason women shouldn’t be a much bigger part of it.
Do you have any words of wisdom for the next generation of women in finance?
Work hard, be inquisitive, continue to build your network, and help to lift each other up. We all need to support each other.
