Today on Take the Stage, we are shining the spotlight on Emily Yin. Emily is an Analyst at Avante Capital Partners, the largest women-owned private credit firm in the SBIC industry. She is primarily responsible for investment due diligence but also works on other impact initiatives, including a junior women’s network and student mentorship through Avante’s diversity internship program. Emily graduated with a bachelor’s degree in global health and previously worked in biotech and pharma. She is passionate about the intersection between finance and social impact, particularly in healthcare equity and women’s health. 

Episode Outline and Highlights

1:45 Emily enlightens us with her fascinating, non-traditional background that includes Global Health and little exposure to the world of private equity.

5:00 Emily explains what drove and attracted her to the space. With a network that didn’t include the investment banking/PE crowd, but with guidance from mentors, Emily approached it by spreading a wide net.

9:05 Emily talks about the qualities or experiences that were instrumental in her breaking into PE and how she overcame the steep learning curve by taking initiative and using her non-traditional background to her advantage. Mentors and the right attitude played a big part, too.

15:05 Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable was key to Emily's success. Emily understood that it wasn’t about having all the answers but asking the right questions. Understanding that it’s an apprenticeship business, shadowing VPs, learning different methods and styles, bringing in a new perspective and knowing there are several ways to reach an outcome were factors in overcoming the overwhelm.

18:11 Emily explains the uniqueAvante internship program. Few internships offer women / minorities / non-finance profiles a program to explore if they would be interested in pursuing PE roles without currently possessing the technical chops or traditional profile.

20:02 Emily discusses the Avante junior women’s network, her desire to foster a supportive community for young women as they advance in their careers while increasing diversity throughout the industry, and the types of events they hold. 

32:02 Emily drops golden nuggets regarding female talent, balancing family (either managing when to have children or balancing the “partner track”) and how it doesn’t need to be a choice between personal or professional.

35:20 Emily offers advice to women who see it as a choice between family and work. She’s both conscious and grateful her firm bucks the trend but recognises it hasn’t always been that way, isn’t at every firm, and that there’s still much to do.

39:45 Emily shares her take on the negative feelings associated with networking and shares several platforms, including regional and cultural professional groups. She talks cold reach outs, moving past feelings of rejection, and most importantly, how to build your tribe.

Emily Yin's LinkedIn

Avante Capital Partners Website | LinkedIn

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