With nearly fifteen years in progressively senior roles, Jennifer Vieno, CFA, shares key milestones and challenges from her career, emphasizing the importance of persistence and support systems. She also offers advice for those looking to advance in the industry, highlighting the value of building strong networks and taking a proactive approach to career growth. 

Jennifer Vieno, CFA, Career Highlights

• ESG Research Director, Technology Media and Telecom, Sustainalytics Morningstar
• Former Co-Chair, Vice Chair, and committee member, CFA Society Toronto’s Member Communications Committee
• Master of Arts, Economics, University of Ottawa
• CFA charterholder

What was your career journey in the finance and investment industry? What motivated you to pursue a career in this industry?

I began my career in finance as a bilingual service representative at Fidelity Investments’ call centre with a clear goal: to learn as much as possible, as quickly as possible, and pivot to the investment side of their business. That role was a crash course in investment knowledge and emotional intelligence. During the role, I began pursuing the CFA charter and shadowing the reporting and analytics team, completing their reports between client calls. This hands-on experience set me apart when a position opened up on the team. From there, I continued moving closer to the investment side, first as an institutional analyst and then an investment analyst covering their institutional Canadian equity funds.

My next move was as a product manager at BMO, where I covered their fixed income and sustainability funds. That’s where my desire to move to sustainability research took hold, and I focused my energy on expanding my knowledge and skills by taking classes and networking, culminating in my move to Sustainalytics Morningstar. I initially joined Sustainalytics Morningstar as a manager and have progressed to my current position as ESG Research Director, where I lead a team in Toronto and Romania.

What do you love most about what you do?

My role’s most rewarding and challenging part is staying current on sustainability-related developments across companies in the technology, media, and telecom sector. There is always a new controversy, trend, regulation, risk, or opportunity to review and integrate into our assessments. It is gratifying and stimulating and could never be described as dull!  

What were some key milestones or turning points in your early career that helped you advance?

Early on in my career, I realized the importance of being a persistent advocate for my career growth. While working as a service representative, I knew I needed to differentiate myself and prove my skills to achieve my goal of working on the investment side. I approached the Reporting and Analysis Manager, outlined my skills, and offered to take on some of the team’s tasks, to which I got a “yes” but no start date. I gently persisted and eventually started with one report, which grew into another report and further tasks as I gained the team’s trust. When a role opened on the team, I had already proven my ability and keenness to the team and was offered the role. Persistent advocacy would continue to be an essential component in the rest of my career progression.

What are some challenges you faced during your career, and how did you overcome them?

Transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager while also pivoting from traditional financial to sustainability research was one of the most challenging points in my career and one of the steepest learning curves I have encountered.

I overcame this challenge by being honest with myself about what support I would need to successfully move forward. Luckily, I had an incredibly supportive manager who helped me figure out and build my management style. I connected with peers to learn from their experiences and signed up for a new manager program, which provided opportunities to work through challenges in a non-judgmental environment. Building a strong support system was integral to helping build confidence in my own abilities.

What do most people not know about ESG/sustainability that you think needs to be more prominent?

While there has been a rising backlash toward the term “ESG,” it’s important to recognize the growing amount of research that demonstrates how effectively managing ESG risks can contribute to company sustainability and profitability. For example, companies that optimize resource efficiency to use less water, energy, and other resources not only reduce costs and associated environmental impacts but mitigate regulatory risks. Similarly, companies that foster inclusive workplaces can attract and retain candidates from a broader, more diverse talent pool, which helps drive innovation and lower turnover. These are just two examples out of many sustainability practices that can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and support long-term growth. This is not about “being woke,” as some are describing it, but about ensuring the long-term sustainability of companies.

How has CFA Society Toronto helped you in your career?

The CFA program helped bolster my analytical and research skills with its impressive and rigorous amount of content. Having the CFA charter on my resume signalled dedication to my education and allowed me to be competitive for jobs that otherwise would have been out of reach, especially in Toronto, which has the largest number of CFA charterholders globally.

Joining CFA Society Toronto’s Member Communications Committee further enhanced my career by providing opportunities to showcase my writing and analytical skills. I got to interview interesting professionals and write about topics I cared about. I was able to build my leadership skills as the Vice Chair and then Co-Chair of the committee. I am excited to continue my learning with the Society through their various events and offerings.  

As you look back over the last few years of your career, what is one thing that you have changed your mind about recently?

The pandemic made me rethink the concepts of work–life balance and mental health in the workplace. While I still value the importance of hard work and dedication in growing one’s career, I’ve come to recognize that working smarter, not harder, is essential. Burnout among hard-working employees is a real risk leaders should be aware of and work to mitigate. Supporting and talking about mental health in the workplace can help employee satisfaction and retention.

What advice would you offer to finance and investment professionals looking to advance their careers?

Be persistent in pursuing your goals. Be good in your current role, but make sure to focus on building relationships and a strong network that can vouch for you. Many opportunities are shared informally through networks. Case in point, my last two career moves came from people within my network who thought I might be a good fit for the opportunity.

If you’re targeting a particular role, find out what skills and knowledge are required and develop a plan to close any gaps. Informational interviews are an invaluable resource as you discover and identify your desired career path. Reach out to folks in roles you desire to discuss their career path and experience. Please don’t feel anxious about reaching out; many have benefitted from these conversations in the past and are happy to pay it forward. If they accept, be prepared, listen actively, and be respectful of their time.

Fun Facts:

• Bucket list travel destination:
  While there are many countries on my list, if I have to pick one, it would be exploring Japan.
• Something most people don’t know about you that you’d like to share:
  I lived in Istanbul for a few years. Living there is still one of my favourite life experiences, and I can keep a basic conversation going in Turkish after all these years!
• What are you currently reading?
  I’m reading This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth. If you’re looking for a thrilling book on the history of cyberwarfare that will have your heart pumping, you won’t be disappointed.

• What is something you do to de-stress?
  Music helps me de-stress; I sing and play the guitar and ukulele.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.