ABC Investments: Meeting Chair

ABC Investment is an American global investment management corporation based in Boston. With a market capitalization of over $XX billion, the firm sells mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and closed-end funds, in addition to other vehicles that focus on objectives ranging from retirement income to college saving plans. ABC Investment has experienced growth above the industry average for the past five years. 

The company is facing a number of serious challenges. First, the company has experienced explosive growth, causing friction among divisions competing against each other for power. Second, due to external competition, divisions are being asked to work cross-functionally on more and more projects, especially as ABC Investment expands in new markets.

You are a senior analyst at ABC Investment working on setting up a new project team. Your task is to work with the other analysts to recommend the best project head from the attached list of three finalists. You should prepare by reviewing your information about the three candidates and selecting which one of the three candidates you prefer.

Finalists for Project Head

Suzanne T. Valdez

Current Position:
• Senior Finance Analyst at ABC Investment
Past Positions:
• Analyst at Price Waterhouse
• Various positions in finance division of ABC Investment over the last 18 years
Education:
• Executive MBA, 5 years ago

Kristin B. Koljord

Current Position:
•  Senior Finance Analyst at XYZ Investment (ABC Investment’s chief competition)
Past positions:
• Worked for two years in sales for IBM
• Various managerial positions at Technology Solutions, Inc
Education:
• MBA in finance, 15 years ago.

Nancy F. Larson

Current Position:
• Senior Accounting Analyst at ABC Investment
Past positions:
• Securities and Exchange Commission Analyst
• Various positions in accounting division at ABC Investment
Education:
• MBA, 15 years ago
• CPA, 19 years ago

Why did you select your particular candidate?