Responsibilities of a Senior Equity Portfolio Manager at Allspring Global Investments
Alison's career path began with a multi-year internship at the US Navy's supply center, followed by buy-side trading at a hedge fund and a Rotary scholarship to study Japanese in Japan. This led to roles at Fidelity Investments in Tokyo, a Malaysian firm managing Malaysian stocks, UC Regents, Wells Capital Management, culminating in their current position as a Senior Equity Portfolio Manager and head of an emerging markets team at Allspring Global Investments after "a total of about 20 years" with the firm.
International Experience, Investment Management, Financial Analysis, Career Progression, Global Markets
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alison Shimada
Senior Equity Portfolio Manager
Allspring Global Investments
UC Berkeley
Harvard Business School, MBA
Political Science, American Studies
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Finance
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Alison's career path highlights a combination of internships, diverse roles, and international experiences, which could be inspiring for students interested in finance or related fields.
2. Her early internship with the US Navy Supply Center provided valuable business experience, followed by roles in a hedge fund and various international investment firms.
3. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and skill development through education (Harvard Business School) and on-the-job experience, which allowed her to transition into increasingly senior roles in the investment management industry. Her experience in different global markets (Japan, Malaysia, and the US) showcases the possibilities for international career opportunities within finance.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college?
What about any internships or jobs you've had before your current role?
In college, I had a multi-year summer internship with the US NAS Ply Center. I worked in the regional contracting department, learning to create contracts for supplies for the US Navy. These could have been ship parts or rubber bumpers for ports, a variety of different things. It was a very good experience in terms of gaining business world experience.
After graduating from UC Berkeley, I worked for an investment management company in the Bay Area. At the time, we did short stocks and bought stocks, so it was actually a hedge fund. There were only about two to three hundred in the US then, and I worked there as a buy-side trader for a few years.
Post that experience, I received a Rotary scholarship to study Japanese in Japan. After that, I went to Harvard Business School for two years. Following business school, I worked for Fidelity Investments in their Tokyo office because I spoke Japanese.
As a securities analyst, I would analyze pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and auto companies, among other industries. Beyond that, I was an analyst and then an equity portfolio manager for a company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, trading Malaysian stocks.
From there, I returned to the US and took a job at the UC Regents. I was doing global pharmaceutical securities analysis and making stock recommendations in that sector. From there, I went to Wells Capital Management, a division of Wells Fargo Bank.
There, I was doing global equity investment in developed markets like Australia, Japan, and Europe. I then moved on to the emerging markets team. That firm has become my current employer, Allspring Global Investments.
I have been at this firm for a total of about 20 years. I am now a senior portfolio equity manager, heading one of the two emerging markets teams. We manage portfolios in emerging markets.
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