Leading Women in Alternative Assets: Q&A With Molly Yakubian, Vector’s Chief Operating Officer

In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we want to shine a light on a few of the many amazing women that are driving the change they wish to see in the world, and more specifically, the emerging VC community.

As someone who is new to the alternative investment industry, having just shifted from tech, I can honestly say how excited and inspired I am by the community of women in this space. This group is really at the intersection of income and impact and embodies the notion that in helping and elevating those around you, the money follows. People over profit.

This month, we will be highlighting women in VC who are making strides toward a more inclusive ecosystem. The women in the group each have their stories, their reasons why, and embody the spirit of #breakingthebias. We are at the precipice of serious change; the last few years shined a light on outdated systems that need to be refactored.

There are so many incredible women who are working to create better systems. The scarcity-based mindset that there are only so many seats at the table for women is shifting. It’s a time to celebrate and empower each other to make the changes we wish to see a reality.

To kick things off, I sat down with my longtime friend Molly Yakubian, Vector’s Chief Operating Officer, to hear more about how she got where she is today, how she finds her balance, and what advice she has for other women entering the field.

Molly and I first met while attending UMass Amherst, where we were both working at a student-run business, empowered by the Center for Student Business. A lot has changed for us both since that time, luckily our support of and belief in one another has not. I am lucky to be able to work and grow with her again.  Together we get to work with an incredible team to create a work environment and culture that has room for everyone. #breakingthebiastogether

Tell us about your background & career.

I’ve been in the alternative investment industry for a little over a decade.

In 2011, I decided to take a break from my undergraduate studies and took an entry-level role as a receptionist at Summit Partners, a private-equity firm in Boston. Shortly after starting, an opportunity arose, and I became the executive assistant to the CFO and CCO of Summit, and naturally got more involved in the firm’s compliance function.

While at Summit, I decided to resume my college studies, and began taking classes part-time to complete my undergraduate degree with a major in finance. I had a wonderful mentor, who was the vice president of compliance at the time. She showed me the ropes, got me involved in compliance reviews, and provided professional and personal guidance.

When I left Summit in 2014, I decided to follow the compliance route and started working for Cordium, a regulatory consulting firm, as a compliance consultant. I also had a great mentor at Cordium, a partner who taught me so much about SEC compliance. He believed in me and provided opportunities to take a lead on client accounts, get involved in sales and marketing, develop thought leadership, stand-up and manage business lines, and grow professionally and personally.

In May of 2018, 10 years after I initially enrolled, I graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a B.A. in Finance.

When Cordium was acquired by ACA Group in the summer of 2018, I was a vice president of consulting, advising private fund managers on matters pertaining to SEC regulations and compliance, and participating frequently in business development activities of the firm. I was also pregnant with my first child.

Upon joining ACA, I decided to lean in to the business development side of my career, and joined ACA’s Practice Management Program as a hedge fund practice specialist. At ACA, I was part of a small team where I continued to learn from my colleagues, who I count as close friends. They taught me the importance of comradery at work, being confident in sharing my thoughts and opinions, and navigating a fast-paced career as a new mom.

I consulted and sold regulatory compliance to hedge fund managers until July 2020, when I had my second child. When I returned from maternity leave in November, I was promoted to managing director and got more involved in selling across ACA’s other verticals (cyber, risk, ESG, performance, etc.). With support from ACA, I found my strength in sales and sales enablement, a passion for operations, and a growing desire to get in on the ground floor of something to see how I could impact and influence change in an organization. I left ACA in June 2021 and joined Vector in July to do just that.

What are some of the key drivers of the success of your career?

People. As you can tell from my background, I credit so much of my personal and professional development to the influence and guidance of my colleagues and mentors. I place an incredible amount of value on my career, growth, contributions, and the impact I can have on an organization. I’m extremely motivated by my professional progress, and have been fortunate to work with people who recognized that and provided me with opportunities to explore my strengths and weaknesses.

How do you balance your role as a COO with motherhood?

The past five years have been a period of accelerated growth for me personally and professionally. I met my husband, got married, bought my first home, got a dog and had two children, and we’re currently expecting our third!

I also finished my undergraduate degree, got promoted, took on new career challenges, gained friends, lost friends, went through an acquisition, started traveling for work as a new mother, changed roles multiple times, pursued new opportunities, and learned so much about myself.

I’m certainly not an expert on balancing a career and motherhood. (Though I could write a whole book on the challenges of pumping on business trips!) I’m fortunate to have a strong support network both personally – family close by, childcare, a supportive husband – and professionally, which has enabled me to find my own balance. There is an assumption in the workplace that supporting new mothers means assuming they want work taken off their plate, or they want to slow their career. Every mother is different. Every woman is driven by different factors, has different dreams and ideals, and a different support system at home.

When I found out I was pregnant, I bought a dozen books on how to not let pregnancy and motherhood slow my career. I’ve learned how to prioritize in a way that works for me. At a certain point, the laptop gets shut. The work will be there tomorrow. A large part of my overall strategy involves being steadfast in my own goals, being self-aware enough to recognize my boundaries and my limits, and being honest with myself and my colleagues when I am pushing up against them. But I also have to credit the flexibility and respect of the organizations I have worked for – that have given me the space to figure out what works for me. There’s definitely no magic recipe for balance – it’s too subjective.

What’s the career advice you would give to other women that you wish someone had given you?

In my very first role at Summit, before my first performance review, a female colleague told me, “You are your best and only advocate.” And that has proven to be invaluable advice I have referenced time and time again.

Over the years, as I’ve gained more and more insight into higher levels of corporate organization, I’ve also learned there’s another concept we need to understand in order to balance our self-advocacy and implement it effectively. We have to also be self-aware and ensure we are not putting too much emphasis on our own experience.

At the end of the day, I really think all professional and personal growth – and ultimately success – hinges on accountability. Accountability to others – what we promise to our family members, children, spouses, colleagues and superiors. Accountability to ourselves – to our own emotions, limitations, boundaries and goals. And accountability from others – finding people who you trust, who care about your joint (and individual) success, who will communicate even when it’s hard and who you can count on for support.

What excites you most about your role?

My role at Vector is unlike any other I’ve had before. I am energized and excited by the sheer amount of opportunity that lies ahead for me, Vector, our staff and the industry as a whole. Being a part of something so new comes with this incredible, perpetual feeling of progress. The smallest accomplishments feel like massive wins – from making new connections, to bringing on new clients, to expanding our team, to building our subscriber list. I know over time the challenges will evolve, and so too will the sense of progress. I look forward to the journey and the evolution and learning from the inevitable failures and pivots we will face.

Our third child is due in two short months. I’m nervous for the challenge of navigating a C-level role at a startup with a new baby. But I also feel very supported by our leadership, our cap table and my colleagues. I have no disillusions of ease in the next several years, but am grateful for and motivated by the opportunity.

About Vector

Vector AIS is a next-generation fund administrator and technology company for closed-end investment funds.

At Vector, we strive to create an inspiring, inclusive, equitable workplace that celebrates and values employees. As we continue to scale, we do so with a responsibility to foster a culture of inclusivity and balance that allows teammates to thrive at work and in their personal lives.

Join the teambecome a client, or follow us as we execute our mission.

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Molly Yakubian

ceo & Managing Partner

Based in Boston, Molly has spent her career in the alternative investment industry, both as a consultant advising fund managers on regulatory compliance matters, and in business development roles working with managers to solve challenges related to compliance, technology, performance, ESG, cybersecurity and risk, and back office outsourcing. Molly graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is a CAIA Level II candidate.

Having worked both in-house at a private equity shop, as well as in consultative roles with hundreds of managers across a wide spectrum of industry challenges, Molly developed a passion for problem-solving, a commitment to enablement, and ambition for creating synergies between fund managers and service providers.

When not working, Molly spends her time with her three young children, and their family rescue dog, Lani, whom she loves to take for trail runs.

Matthew Wheeler

Founder & CEO

Matt is an alternative investment industry veteran with a passion for helping others – whether it’s assisting fund managers operate their funds, investors track their investments, team members develop their careers or service providers expand their practice. Matt and his team are working hard to build an industry-leading technology solution that brings these parties together.

An Ontario, Canada native, Matt graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in business. He went on to earn the CPA designation before spending time in the Cayman Islands auditing alternative investment funds. Prior to starting Vector AIS (Alternative Investment Services), Matt was a director in the San Francisco office of a premier closed-end fund administrator where he led teams administering various investment strategies, including some of the biggest names in the venture capital industry.

Matt is obsessed with efficiency and enjoys designing elegant solutions to complex problems. He is an adventure seeker who loves hitting the slopes and single-track bike trails. He’s also into adventure travel, including jungle hiking and street food tours. In his down time, he likes to cook or read a book. Matt is currently based out of San Francisco.