Ep 23—Ladies Who Rock Series—Special Guest Stephanie Park from Apogem Capital

In this episode of Take the Stage and our special series, Ladies Who Rock, we shine the spotlight on Stephanie Park, Director in the PE group at Apogem Capital, to unpack a career path that challenges the norm. From starting in private equity, pivoting to the fashion world, and returning to lead with a fresh perspective, Stephanie shares lessons on leadership, culture, and balancing a high-stakes career with family life. [02:40] Starting a Career in the 2008 Financial Crisis Stephanie shares her early days in investment banking, navigating layoffs, low morale, and a tough market. [06:20] The Leap Into Fashion and Entrepreneurship Stephanie discusses her decision to leave finance, gain operational experience in fashion, and eventually launch a DTC menswear brand. She reflects on the challenges of running a startup and how this entrepreneurial chapter sharpened her problem-solving and operational skills. [11:45] Returning to Private Equity Through Impact Investing A chance reconnection with a former colleague leads Stephanie back to private equity, where she joined a new impact-focused firm. She reflects on the evolving culture in the industry and how her fashion background made her a stronger leader. [20:45] Cultural Shifts in Private Equity Stephanie talks about the industry's transition from "bro-y" cultures to more inclusive environments, the influence of ESG and DEI, and how behavior once accepted is no longer tolerated. [31:50] Navigating Pregnancy and Interviews Stephanie and Alexis delve into the challenges women face when deciding whether to disclose their pregnancy during job interviews. They explore the societal guilt many women feel, why it’s a personal decision, and how finding the right company culture can make all the difference. [35:45] Motherhood, Paternity Leave, and Workplace Equality Stephanie shares how she and her husband staggered their parental leave to balance family and work responsibilities. Stephanie emphasizes why paternity leave is essential for workplace equality, advocating for men to fully take their leave to better understand and share the responsibilities of parenthood. [46:10] Advice for Professionals in Alternative Investments Stephanie offers advice for professionals, especially women, on navigating a demanding career by setting boundaries to maintain both professional and personal sanity. She explains how she sets boundaries to balance travel-heavy work demands with family life and provides a real example of what that looks like for her. Stephanie Park's ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Apogem Capital ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Connect with Alexis Alvarez on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | [email protected]