Reflections from ICONIQ women
These reflections capture the lessons, growth, and small moments that can define a career. They offer a chance to hear directly from the women of ICONIQ—sharing the experiences that have shaped their leadership and perspective:
Building Confidence and Celebrating Wins
“I initially doubted whether I was good enough, and that self-doubt followed me into my early days at ICONIQ. A quote I once read stayed with me: ‘Confidence is built one day at a time, by focusing on small wins rather than big milestones. Each day, wear your favorite outfit, remind yourself to reflect on how far you’ve come, the people who love you and have believed in you, and the progress you’ve made so far and carry that feeling with you wherever you go.’ Letting go of the pressure to constantly chase major achievements and instead celebrating steady, meaningful growth helped me show up with greater confidence and conviction.” – Pragya Nikte, Senior Associate, Financial Planning & Analysis
“Confidence didn’t come to me from standing out, but from standing alongside people I respect—contributing my part, learning from others, and celebrating wins that only happen because of an exceptional team.” – Kelly Myrseth, Senior Vice President, Investment Management
“Earlier in my career, I would often find myself overthinking every contribution, worried I didn’t have the right answer. Building confidence meant realizing that my voice mattered, and that asking thoughtful questions was just as powerful as having solutions. Letting go of overthinking and learning to trust my perspective allowed me to be more present, engaged, and confident in how I show up each day.” – Franchesca Lira, Senior Associate, Corporate Accounting
“Confidence is built through action, not perfection. Earlier in my career, I assumed it would come with bigger milestones, but I have learned over time that it grows through small, consistent wins. Choosing to engage, by leading meetings, leaning into stretch opportunities, or following through on commitments, strengthens that muscle over time. What feels uncomfortable gradually becomes instinctive. The more I raised my hand and delivered, the more I saw my own capacity expand. Taking time to recognize those steady wins, individually and as a team, builds the kind of durable confidence that lasts well beyond any single milestone.” – Erica Leong, Senior Associate, Investment Management
Leaning into Community and Mentorship
“As someone who didn’t start off on the traditional path into tech investing, the early days required learning quickly, asking questions, and embracing growth in real time. What made that journey possible was community—peers who shared their time generously, as well as leaders and role models at ICONIQ who demonstrated that there is no single blueprint for belonging.” – Marie-Louise O’Callaghan, Principal
“A mentor once told me, ‘Be a good peer.’ It’s simple, but it stuck. To me, being a good peer means showing up, saying or doing the hard thing because it’s right, and caring about the outcome and others’ success. At the same time, choose work that motivates you. Surround yourself with people who raise the bar, challenge you and make you better. Lastly, don't be afraid to do it differently than everyone else. When you invest in and challenge one another—and have fun doing it—something special happens.” – Cameron Leax, Head of Human Capital
“The inflection points in my career almost always trace back to a person: a manager who took a chance, a colleague who coached me through a tough moment, a peer who shared their own missteps so I didn’t feel alone in mine. That sense of community has been a safety net and a springboard. It’s why I try to be intentional about showing up for others—making time to listen, sharing what I wish I’d known, and creating the kind of environment where none of us feels we have to figure it all out in isolation.” – Mariam Abbott, Partner
“At every stage of my career, community has been my greatest accelerator. Some of the most transformative mentorship I’ve received didn’t come from above, but from peers walking alongside me—asking hard questions, sharing generously, and growing together.” – Vivian Guo, Partner
“Success isn’t just about the work you deliver—it’s about how you show up along the way. When we invest in connection and collaboration, we don’t just achieve more—we make the work more meaningful. As Maya Angelou reminds us, people may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Katie Hunt-Morr, Senior Vice President, ICONIQ Impact
“The best mentors aren't the ones who make things easier. They're the ones who hold you to a higher standard and push your thinking in ways you wouldn't push yourself. I've been lucky enough to experience this historically and presently, and I aim to cultivate it throughout future iterations of my career.” – Bailee Hanson, Associate, Data & Analytics
Stepping Into Ownership and Responsibility
“A big part of my growth has been learning to trust my judgment, feel confident in my work, and move forward without always needing validation, knowing that growth comes from experience, not perfection.” – Emily McEneff, Associate, Talent Acquisition
“As my role at ICONIQ has grown, so has my sense of responsibility—to the people, the culture, and the decisions that shape both. Learning the business deeply has made me a better partner and a more thoughtful leader. When we take ownership of how we hire, develop, and support one another, we’re not just building teams, we’re defining what success looks like.” – Michelle Pabst, Senior Vice President, Human Resources
“Ownership is a mindset that transcends role and tenure, and it has meaningfully shaped my experience at ICONIQ. Taking pride in what we’re building together and leaning into opportunities, both large and small, to strengthen our community and platform has made my work feel deeply purposeful and impactful. That commitment to accountability and owning outcomes sits at the heart of ICONIQ’s culture and has helped me grow as a leader over time.” – Ritika Pai, Partner
“When you’re in a building role, much of the path ahead is unclear and it’s up to you to define every next step. That can be scary, but I’ve learned to see it as an invitation to experiment, to push boundaries, and embrace mistakes as proof that we’re stretching beyond our comfort zone (this is how we keep learning!). What sustains me in that process is ownership and accountability, to the team, to our clients, and most importantly to the organizations and communities we serve. On the hardest days, I remind myself that the mission is bigger than any one of us, and always will be.” – Matti Navellou, Managing Director, ICONIQ Impact
