Kasia Karapuda, CFA, is a recipient of the Women in Investment Management Recognition. Before she assumed her current role of Associate Director of Investments, Kasia first joined the $1.4 billion endowment as an investment analyst in 2008.

During the course of her career, Kasia has received mentorship from chief investment officers, including Marcia Miller, Jainen Thayer, and Jun Yang through her several roles at Oberlin College in Ohio, the oldest co-ed liberal arts college in the United States. Kasia received her bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst University in Intelligence Studies, served as an assistant to a Member of the European Parliament, and spent two years as an analyst at Erie Management Group.

What aspect of your work are you most proud of, and what impact do you hope it will have on others?
A highlight of my work has been identifying and cultivating authentic relationships with capacity-constrained managers, while also fostering meaningful connections across my network of LPs, GPs, and portfolio companies. I take pride in the impact these relationships can have in driving value and creating opportunities.

What advice would you give someone who aspires to be in your role someday?
For someone aspiring to take on this role, I would emphasize the importance of embracing the sheer volume of information that comes your way and focusing on being brave rather than striving for perfection. I highly recommend the book Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani for all women in this industry to cure any impostor syndrome issues they may have.

What part of your portfolio are you most excited about?
Within our portfolio, I find sector-specialist buyout funds particularly exciting, given their potential to deliver unique value to family-owned or under-institutionalized businesses, along with solid returns to investors.

Who is your mentor and how did the two of you connect?
There have been many individuals I could count on. While at the Oberlin College Investment Office, I have been fortunate to have received invaluable guidance from three different Chief Investment Officers: Marcia Miller, former CIO of Oberlin College; Jainen Thayer of Grinnell College Investment Office; and Jun Yang, current CIO of Oberlin College: They consistently pushed me to expand my skills and take on new responsibilities as I navigated different roles within the endowment.

Additionally, two individuals stand out as having a significant influence on my career path. My first boss, Joseph Kaiser, provided foundational training and encouraged me to pursue the CFA designation, which ultimately opened the door to my role at Oberlin. More recently, Casey Peters has been an exceptional thought partner, helping me think through private market opportunities and elevating the underwriting bar in search for outstanding managers.

What is your favorite hobby outside of work?
Outside of work, it is fun to explore while traveling, and I enjoy Argentine Tango, which thrives in many cities around the globe. I also always pack my jump rope for exercise!

This piece has been edited for length and clarity.