At Verger our team members share a unique understanding of the investment industry and a deep commitment to our core value of being humble, human, and helpful. This means we understand the importance of sharing our knowledge with each other and passing it along to the next generation of professionals – not only to help Verger and our partners continue to thrive over the long-term, but also to advance our mission of investing in the lives of others.
Whether it be supporting organizations in our industry and community by acting as mentors, immersing our interns in real work as members of our team, or promoting leadership at all levels of Verger through our Women’s Leadership Initiative or our Executive Coaching Benefit – we are committed to lifting each other up while making meaningful contributions to our shared success.
Deepening Collaborative Community Relationships Through Mentoring
As part of Verger’s ongoing community engagement efforts, team members regularly volunteer their time to act as mentors for local organizations and institutions, helping to bolster future leaders across the broader community and deepen collaborative relationships within our community.
Verger’s Communications Director, Inge Smith, recently participated in the Triad Business Journal's Mentoring Monday, joining leaders from across the region to support women in our community. This nationwide speed-networking and mentoring experience connected more than 10,000 women in 40 cities and included professionals from multiple industries – including finance, healthcare, real estate, and non-profit leadership.
"It was so powerful to participate in an event that brought together women leaders for a nationwide mentoring experience," Inge shared. "From insightful career advice to shared experiences, the conversations were a great reminder of the power of mentorship. I'm grateful for the chance to give back and make new connections along the way."
"It was so powerful to participate in an event that brought together women leaders for a nationwide mentoring experience."
Inge also serves as a mentor through the REACH Women's Network and Salem College Leadership and Mentoring Program, where she guides sophomore students through their professional development journeys. This program builds student skills to create effective mentor, sponsor, and influencer networks, expand student confidence in networking and articulating their unique strengths, and build relationships with women in the community.
Supporting the Next Generation of Investment Talent
On a national level, Verger supports Girls Who Invest (GWI) – a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of women in asset management. GWI combines academic instruction with real-world experience and builds a supportive ecosystem of industry experts around program participants.
Since 2022 Verger’s Chief Investment Officer, Craig Thomas, has provided mentoring for GWI program participants through a variety of channels, including the Online Intensive Program, Summer Intensive Program, and Industry Office Hours. Whether it be through mock interview sessions, formal weekly mentoring, or informal monthly mentoring, Craig supports GWI participants while further enriching their learning experiences and deepening their connections within the asset management industry. “GWI is a crucial resource in evolving the finance industry and supporting the development of diverse talent,” Craig shared in a previous post highlighting his mentoring efforts.
The Role of Mentoring in Verger’s Internship Program
At Verger we’re proud of our Internship Program, which is carefully designed to offer students enrolled in college or university classes exposure to a career path in non-profit investment management, as well as operations, accounting, client service, and communications. Verger was recently pleased to welcome Keshav Daga, Associate Investment Director, to the Investment Team following his participation in one of the earliest Internship Program cohorts.
Verger’s Managing Director of Investments, Taylor Jackson, has served as a mentor for the program for many years, and recently Scott Clancy has added his talents as a mentor and leader of the program. Through the Verger Internship Program Curriculum and Capstone Project, we ensure the interns finish their program with a standard set of knowledge and clear accomplishments to highlight for future employers.
Mentoring, Sponsorship, and the Verger Women’s Leadership Initiative
Since its inception, the Verger Women’s Leadership Initiative (VWLI) has fostered mentorship and sponsorship opportunities that empower women to advance in their careers and develop leadership skills. This program creates intentional spaces for relationship-building, goal-setting, and professional development specifically designed to address the unique challenges women face in the investment industry.
In collaboration with leading coaches and trainers, VWLI members continue to explore their unique talents and ways to leverage them for personal and organizational success.
Verger’s Executive Coaching Benefit
In 2024, Verger launched an innovative Executive Coaching Benefit available to all staff members. This program provides employees with ongoing access to personalized external coaching sessions. These sessions help Verger team members at all levels hone their leadership skills, set professional goals, and build strategies to achieve them.
This initiative reflects Verger’s belief that investing in individual growth strengthens the team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Looking Forward
As we continue to grow and evolve, Verger will continue to pursue mentorship opportunities as a facet of community engagement and as a key part of developing talent and leadership within Verger. We believe that investing in the lives of others through mentorship strengthens our team and enhances our ability to serve our non-profit clients and the broader communities we are all a part of.
To learn more about Verger’s team culture and our Internship Program, please visit our Careers page.