Jane Abitanta
Principal, Perceval Associates
Jane Abitanta, principal of Perceval Associates, occupies a special position in the institutional investment arena that comes from her ability to diagnose the underlying problems that get in the way of money managers, and provide successful solutions that help them attract and retain clients. Jane has advised many of the top institutional fund managers, private equity firms, family offices and countless hedge funds, helping them to articulate their particular edge in terms of the real-world needs of their markets. She is well known for her combination of industry expertise, unbiased eye and a direct communication style that makes even the most accomplished money managers seek her advice. Marketing directors particularly appreciate Jane's successful coaching of investment professionals on the clear, concise and compelling delivery of their investment process. Jane is a director of 100 Women in Finance. She has served as charter faculty for the Institute for Private Investors, a member of the Investment Committee of Women's World Banking, and director of the Association for Investment Management Sales Executives (AIMSE). She is a former director of Green Cay Asset Management, a Bahamas-based alternative investment firm and of Shaking the Tree, a not-for-profit organization that uses interactive theater to illustrate family wealth dynamics. Prior to the formation of Perceval Associates in 1996, Jane was an investment strategist with Citicorp Investment Management and held executive marketing positions at Bessemer Trust and Swiss Bank Corporation. With an MBA in Finance and Investment Management from Fordham University, and a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Delaware, Jane earned an MA in Social-Organizational Psychology and Change from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2008.
Dipti Gulati
Partner, Deloitte
Dipti is a Senior Audit Partner with 28 years of experience in the Global Financial Services Industry working with clients on various accounting, operations and regulatory matters. Dipti is currently the Group Audit Partner-in-Charge of Deloitte’s Tri-State Financial Services Industry Audit Practice; in this role, she is responsible for growth, operations, talent, and deployment for the practice with close to 900 professionals. During her career, Dipti spent time in Deloitte’s London Financial Services Practice which helped provide her with the background to serve some of Deloitte’s most significant global financial services industry clients as both an Audit and Advisory Partner. She has experience with the quality network, having served as the National Industry Professional Practice Director for the securities industry and our firm’s representative on the AICPA Stockbrokerage and Investment Banking Expert Panel. Dipti’s leadership experience includes serving on Deloitte’s Nominating Committee including being the co-chair, Deloitte’s CEO Advisory Council, and the National Review Committee for Audit Partner/Managing Director Admissions. Outside of Deloitte, Dipti serves as Board Member for the United Way of New York, as well as a member of their audit and resource development committees. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science from Lehigh University and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.
Deepika Sharma
Director, BlackRock
Deepika Sharma, CFA, is a Director at BlackRock and heads research and product development for multi-asset factor strategies. In this role, she is responsible for driving an intensive research agenda to identify the future generation of systematic strategies working with key internal partners such as PMs, and fostering specific product recommendations in the context of business objectives, competitive landscape, and overall firm strategy. Prior to this role, she was Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of Investments at Astor Investment Management LLC, a quantitative global macro asset manager, where she co-managed $2bn in assets across retail and institutional channels. She has previously worked on the Fixed income Proprietary Desk at Nomura, as well as in macro strategy at Roubini Global Economics. Deepika began her career as an Analyst on the Structured Credit Desk at Lehman Brothers. Deepika currently serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors at CFA Society New York (previously, the New York Society of Security Analysts). She holds a Masters in International Finance at Columbia University and is a CFA charter holder.
Lorna Smith
CEO, Horizons National
Lorna joined Horizons National in 2004 and became CEO in 2007. Under her leadership, the organization has grown from 13 sites to more than 50 in 18 states. By developing a strong organizational identity, financial stability, and systems that foster program innovation, she has helped Horizons National become a vital resource for its diverse network of locally-managed programs. Lorna’s vision for continued expansion of the Horizons network across the country is driven by her commitment to social justice. Her professional experience combines market research expertise with extensive client service in several industries, and she has co-owned two businesses, both of which experienced substantial growth and earned excellent reputations under her management. Lorna holds a B.A. from Wellesley College, an M.B.A. from Cornell University, and completed a fellowship at Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She is a founding board member for the National Network of Schools in Partnership, an organization comprised of public-private partners who share a common goal of expanding educational opportunities for all young people, and is also a member of the NationSwell council, a national network of professionals who are passionate about service.
Tania Lynn Taylor
Partner, Deloitte
Tania Taylor is an audit partner in Deloitte's Financial Services - Investment Management group with significant experience in the hedge fund and private equity industry. She directly serves audit clients and also served in the National Office Asset Management Services Professional Practice Director group where she provided technical accounting guidance nationally to Deloitte's asset management engagements. She is one of Deloitte's specialists on the SEC Custody Rule and is known for being solution oriented. She has served a wide range of investment management clients with assets under management from the start-up phase to those with greater than $100 billion. These clients have included multiple different fund structures (including the use of multiple side pockets and hybrid hedge-private equity), investment strategies and complex financial instruments. Tania previously worked in Deloitte's Cayman Islands office, giving her extensive experience in offshore fund issues and is certified in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Tania has also represented Deloitte at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Investment Management Expert Panel meetings and is the past Vice Chair of the New York Society of Security Analyst Alternative Investments Committee. Tania is an active member of 100 Women in Finance and is chairing the Beneficiary Due Diligence Committee for the 2018 grantee. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Tania earned a Bachelor of Arts from Prescott College and a Masters of Accounting from University of Southern California and is a Certified Public Accountant (New York) and a CFA charterholder.
