Why Diversity is Critical to the Future of Investing with Avante Capital’s Amanda Kim

We all have that voice in our head: the one telling us we’re imposters, we’re not cut out for this, we’ll never be able to catch up to the men in our industry.As a woman in investing, you might not ever have the same opportunities as the men out there, especially if you take time off for maternity leave or have a family at home to provide for. So it’s no surprise that those voices in our heads can nag us into feeling incapable. Avante Capital Partners' Principal* Amanda Kim knows these voices well. She started her career in a finance role at Goldman Sachs before applying for a position as associate at Avante Capital, a role far different from what she was used to. “Even earlier this week, I said, Why am I doing this podcast? […] I don't know if I'm qualified to be on this podcast,” Amanda says. “However, you can work smartly, differently, and add value. Bring[ing] your genius to the table such that you are a force of nature [and] your company is never gonna want to let go.”Tune in to this episode of Deal Us In as host Ann Terrell Dorsett chats with Amanda about what it’s like to work in a 100-percent women-led company and what it means to foster a diverse and welcoming workplace. Amanda also tells us why diversity is so important, and shares her biggest tips for making deals.*At the time of this recording, Amanda Kim held the position of Vice President at Avante Capital Partners.💡 Featured Guest 💡Name: Amanda KimWhat she does: As Principal at Avante Capital Partners — a women-owned private capital fund in Los Angeles — Amanda is responsible for identifying, underwriting, executing, and managing investment opportunities.Company: Avante Capital Partners               Where to find Amanda: LinkedIn 🗝️ Key Points 🗝️Top takeaways from this episode Diversity makes a difference — A workplace that prioritizes diversity in both hiring and investing opportunities tends to be more collaborative and empathetic compared with environments that are white and male-dominated, Amanda says.Relationships are key to success — Knowing the anatomy of a sale is valuable in dealmaking, but relationship building is just as, if not more, important. A strong relationship shows that you’re committed and helps build trust between you and your client.A diverse workplace is about more than just hiring — Once you’ve made your workplace more diverse, there’s more work to be done to get them to stay a while, especially in an industry that is male-dominated. A few effective ways to retain your employees are by fostering support networks and making sure your company invests in professional development and childcare.🎙️ About Deal Us In 🎙️✔️ Thank you for joining us at the table for this episode of Deal Us In. We invite you to join the conversation by using our #Dealusinpodcast on Twitter or LinkedIn. ✔️ Don’t miss another episode! Subscribe in your preferred podcast app.✔️ If you have a recommendation for an inspiring interviewee, a question you'd like us to ask, or a topic you would like to hear covered, or if you'd like to tell us about women-focused initiatives in the field, please go to our website. We look forward to hearing from you.This podcast was recorded and is being made available by McGuireWoods for informational purposes only. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that McGuireWoods makes no warranty, guarantee or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in the podcast. The views, information or opinions expressed during this podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of McGuireWoods. This podcast should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state and should not be construed as an offer to make or consider any investment or course of action.