In this episode, we are shining the spotlight on Malia Funk, a second year associate at a Lower Middle Market firm. Malia's journey into PE started in Hawaii, traversed to OSU, and wound up in Manhattan. It’s much more complex than geographical change or happenstance. It’s purposeful. Methodical. Calculated. No paths are created equally and no two paths are the same. The traditional road to private equity is usually paved and straight - there's a typical profile that prevails, but as Malia points out and exemplifies, there is a recognizable shift where the trail can be a bit more adventurous.

(:30) Malia describes her non-traditional background and her relatively atypical path to PE. Her insightful thought process and compelling storytelling is just the start of what there is to love about her and her journey thus far in her early career.

(5:34) What attracted you to PE and acquisitions and what were your concerns about entering the M&A space?

(12:38) Malia shares her thoughts about women withdrawing from recruitment opportunities and how they tend to view the job application process. Are women more afraid of failure or is it something else?

(18:36) Malia provides some unique perspective on the psychology of male traits that are often emphasized (confidence and individualism) and how they differ from those of women (caring for others, putting others above yourself, and being likeable). The conversation continues about the implications of these traits on entering the candidate/interview process, especially as they pertain to women.

(21:55) How will women and women of your generation (millennial and Gen Z’s) influence PE in the future? Malia "spins" a great response about how women who have been able to make it to the high stakes table and make big investment decisions have already broken the molds and overcome numerous setbacks and they'll bring a lot of good disruption along with them.

(28:35) How can women best prepare themselves for the challenges and rewards of a career in private equity? Malia reflects and offers a lot of practical advice and so many golden nuggets that are 100% suitable to both genders, such as the importance of young professionals establishing their hardware and then uploading their software...yes!

(34:55) Malia and Alexis wrap up their session with thoughts on how women should support their fellow female colleagues in private equity.

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