This week, we speak with Linda Gibson, who is CEO of PGIM‘s Quantitative Solutions, a pioneer in quant investing managing $119 billion in assets. Gibson holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bates College and a law degree from Boston College and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. PGIM is one of the world’s largest asset managers, running $1.27 trillion in client assets.
She discusses how she began her career as a mutual fund attorney, learning the 40 Act (Investment Company Act of 1940 Definition) and learned the entire mutual fund industry from the bottom up. She traveled globally seeking regulatory approval from Germany, Switzerland, UK, and Luxembourg.
After her firm was acquired by Old Mutual, a giant South African bank, she was directed to wind down her business unit. She did such a good job, that she was offered the General Counsel role. The new role took her from New York and Boston to London, South Africa, and Tokyo on a regular basis.
Gibson explains what it is like managing a group of brilliant quants who tend to be somewhat quirky. Being able to explain the strategies, risks and potential upside is the key to that success.
A list of her favorite books is here; A transcript of our conversation is available here Tuesday.
You can stream and download our full conversation, including any podcast extras, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Bloomberg. All of our earlier podcasts on your favorite pod hosts can be found here.
Be sure to check out our Masters in Business next week with Brad Gerstner, founder and CEO of Altimeter Capital. The tech-focused fund started in 2008 and invests in both public and private firms. Gerstner began as an entrepreneur and has had multiple exits, including travel startup NLG (to IAC). Openlist.com, (to Marchex) and Farecast (to MSFT). He also was an early investor in Zillow, Real Self, Nor 1, Instacart, Expedia, Silver Rail Tech and Room 77. After returning $7B in profits to its LPs, Altimeter manages currently manages $10B in assets.
Linda Gibson Favorite Books
No Bullsh!t Leadership by Martin G. Moore
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia
The Rain Barrel Effect: How a 6,000 Year Old Answer Holds the Secret to Finally Getting Well, Losing Weight & Feeling Alive Again! by Stephen Cabral
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Modern Text-Book of Astrology by Margaret Hone
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
