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Blair’s Sixth Summit Focuses on the Future of Finance
Adele Starrs

Launched in 2019, Blair’s annual Finance Summit attracts leaders from across the financial industry. The most recent summit, held in Manhattan on January 21, continued this tradition, bringing together some of the industry’s leading thinkers and portfolio managers to discuss timely topics. 

The program kicked off with a warm welcome from Head of School Peter G. Curran P’27 ’27, followed by a discussion and Q&A with moderator Drew Litvin ’14, vice president at BDT & MSD Partners, and panelists Will Pemberton ’16, investment banking associate at J.P. Morgan, and Quinn Kennedy ’13, vice president at Golub Capital.

Changing Markets
The panel explored several issues at the forefront of analysts’ minds, beginning with the anticipated shifts in U.S. financial markets. Drew noted how changes in federal leadership and a series of executive orders following the presidential inauguration this week will likely bring industry-wide changes. 

“In the financial market, a lot of new factors will shape both the traditional and alternative asset class landscape going forward,” he said. “This is a good place [for the discussion] to start.” Those changes may include, Will predicted, more favorable interest rates, fewer hurdles to merger-and-acquisition approvals and deregulation across the board. 

The Power of Networking
Along with offering insights about the future of finance, panelists also shared the importance of building strong professional networks, which have played pivotal roles in their careers. 

Will recounted a critical moment in 2018 when he met Doug Kimmelmann P’12 ’13 ’15 ’22, former Chair of the Blair Board of Trustees and senior partner of Energy Capital Partners (ECP), at the dedication of the School’s basketball court. At the time, Will was studying finance at Lehigh University and was uncertain about what form his career would take. He saw an opportunity to find clarity. “Right before the game, I introduced myself to Doug, asked for his business card and said, ‘I want to be you one day,’” Will shared. Doug responded graciously, Will recalled, and spoke with him at length after the game, getting to know him and offering needed guidance. “After that conversation, I started applying for jobs,” Will told the audience. “The only reason I’m doing investment banking is because Doug Kimmelman was kind enough to encourage me and give me a blueprint.”

Quinn also stressed how valuable network events, like the Finance Summit, have been for her in making new connections and exchanging ideas with peers. “If someone is coming to this event, they already want to network,” she advised. “Take advantage of it. I’ve become close friends with Blair alumni who I knew in high school but wasn’t friends with and they just so happen to work in finance. It’s a great way to expand your network. I bounce ideas off them.”   

Mr. Curran reinforced the centrality of relationships to the Blair experience, telling the audience, “These events are exactly what we are all about. At the core of Blair is relationships. Relationships matter, and they extend far beyond your time on the hilltop.” 

As the financial industry continues to evolve, Blair’s Finance Summit remains a valuable avenue for the Blair community to make connections with industry experts, learning from their wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as exchanging ideas about recent trends. The School looks forward to continuing this tradition next year.

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