Amrita Tiwari, Investment Analyst at New York Life Investment Management (NYLIM), part of the Investment Consulting Group (ICG), has built a remarkable career that spans multiple facets of the financial industry. Her work continues to shape investment strategy and decision-making, all while striving to drive innovation, diversity, and mentorship in the finance world.
Tiwari was born and raised in Nepal and came to the U.S. as a student, eager to explore new opportunities and challenge herself in a global environment. Tiwari’s passion for finance began with her strong foundation in quantitative analysis, which led her to explore complex systems and uncover patterns within the ever-evolving financial markets. “The dynamic interplay between quantitative analysis and real-world market behavior captivated me early on,” she said, noting that her drive for precision, adaptability, and strategic thinking drew her to roles in trading, market structure, and research. She was particularly intrigued by the challenge of optimizing investment strategies and enhancing execution quality.
At NYLIM, Tiwari focuses on portfolio analysis, market insights, and guiding investment decisions to enhance outcomes. Her role allows her to leverage data-driven insights to strengthen portfolio construction, asset allocation, and investment effectiveness, all while working in an increasingly complex market environment.
Tiwari’s international background has provided her with a unique perspective on financial markets. “Growing up in a different economic and cultural environment has shaped the way I analyze market trends, risks, and investment decisions,” she said. Her experiences navigating various professional and cultural settings have given her a deep understanding of how to collaborate with diverse teams and think globally about financial markets—a crucial advantage in today’s interconnected world.
Mentorship and networking have been essential to Tiwari’s growth. Reflecting on her journey, she noted that the guidance of mentors at each career stage has been instrumental in her development, from breaking into finance to transitioning between roles and adapting to industry changes. “Networking has also been invaluable for career growth and staying ahead of market trends,” she added.
In turn, Tiwari is deeply committed to paying it forward. She actively mentors young professionals and students, sharing insights and offering career advice through industry panels and one-on-one sessions. Her dedication to fostering the next generation of finance leaders highlights her belief in the power of mentorship to drive both personal and industry-wide progress.
Tiwari’s career has been defined by key moments that shaped her expertise and leadership. One of the most defining was leading best execution efforts at a large asset manager, where she drove improvements in trading strategies and liquidity access. “This role required a deep understanding of market structure and execution analytics, helping enhance execution quality and reduce trading costs,” she explained. This experience highlighted the importance of execution quality in investment performance—something Tiwari continues to emphasize in her current role.
Another pivotal moment came when she transitioned from a focus on trading to a broader perspective encompassing market analysis and portfolio management. This shift allowed her to integrate her execution expertise into a holistic approach to investment decision-making, influencing strategy development and optimizing capital allocation.
Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in Finance
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Tiwari has faced her share of challenges. However, she’s learned to turn these challenges into opportunities. “I made it a priority to build deep expertise, knowing that credibility is key in this field,” she explained. With strong mentorship and a focus on collaboration, Tiwari has embraced her unique perspective as a differentiator, bringing diverse viewpoints and strategies to the table.
Her experience speaks to the broader need for systemic change in the finance industry to support women at all levels, particularly in leadership positions. “To create a more inclusive environment, companies need to go beyond diversity metrics and focus on building strong pipelines for advancement,” she said, emphasizing the importance of leadership training, mentorship, and advocacy for women in the sector.
Women bring distinct advantages to finance, particularly in areas like risk management, long-term strategic thinking, and fostering collaboration. Research has shown that diverse teams make better investment decisions, and women’s contributions often involve considering broader implications and emphasizing sustainable growth. Tiwari advocates for better recognition of these strengths. “Companies must ensure that women have access to leadership opportunities and high-impact roles,” she argued, highlighting the importance of clear advancement pathways, inclusive decision-making, and leadership development.
Uplifting Women and Fostering Entrepreneurship
For Tiwari, supporting and uplifting other women in finance is crucial for breaking barriers and creating more opportunities. “Collective support makes a real difference in career progression,” she noted, encouraging women to share insights, recommend one another for leadership roles, and advocate for policies that drive systemic change. She also believes that more needs to be done to foster entrepreneurship within the sector. Access to capital, networks, and mentorship remains a significant barrier for women looking to launch their own ventures, but Tiwari sees potential for change.
By providing funding opportunities, mentorship, and platforms for female-led initiatives, the finance industry can empower more women to take risks and drive innovation. “When structural barriers are reduced and more women are empowered, the entire industry benefits from greater innovation and diversity of thought,” she asserted.
Tiwari concluded with a call to action for companies to ensure women have equal opportunities to ascend to leadership positions. “Intentional and measurable steps are needed,” she said, advocating for transparent hiring practices, mentorship programs, and flexible work environments that support long-term career growth for women.
Real progress, according to Tiwari, happens when companies move beyond diversity initiatives and commit to structural changes that foster career growth for women in finance. By embracing these changes, “the industry can build stronger, more effective teams and deliver better results for investors and the broader economy.”
