Women-Led Initiative in Finance
A women-only subgroup of Trojan SMIF, led with Professor Ayca Altintig, focused on intercollegiate investment competitions, mentorship, and building a pipeline from Marshall MSF into senior investment roles.
More women in seats that matter.
Women are still underrepresented at every level of investment management — from analyst seats at asset managers to portfolio chairs at endowments and pensions. The Women-Led Initiative exists to close that gap at the earliest point in the pipeline: the MSF classroom.
We train members on valuation, research writing, and pitch delivery through dedicated competition prep, alumni office hours, and structured mentorship — then send them into recruiting better prepared than peer programs.
Professor Ayca Altintig
Professor Ayca Altintig
Teaches across personal and corporate finance — including The Power of Personal Finance alongside advanced financial analysis, valuation, and corporate financial strategy. Co-leads the Women-Led Initiative with direct coaching and mentorship for every member.
Marshall faculty page ↗What members actually do.
Dedicated prep for competitions that spotlight women in finance — pitch deck coaching, live mock sessions, and feedback from faculty and alumni judges.
Monthly small-group calls with alumnae in asset management, investment banking, and private equity. Real recruiting intel, real interview prep.
Every member paired with a senior analyst or director. Quarterly check-ins, career planning, and introductions into the network.
Hands-on sessions on DCF, multiples, and scenario analysis — the mechanics behind every memo that reaches the Investment Committee.
Shadow a sector lead through a full pitch cycle. Draft memos under guidance, sit in on IC pitches, see how decisions actually get made.
Quarterly sessions with senior women investors — portfolio managers, CIOs, heads of research — hosted on campus and recorded for members.
On the calendar.
- Spring 2026CFA-OC SMIF Competition
Women's team representing USC Marshall; portfolio report + live pitch judged by practitioners from the CFA Society of Orange County.
- Fall 2026NIBC — Women in Banking
Intercollegiate investment banking case competition with a dedicated women's track.
- Spring 2027G.A.M.E. Women's Investment Case
Quinnipiac's Global Asset Management Education forum — women's investment case track.
Who can join.
- Any woman currently enrolled in a USC graduate program in good academic standing.
- Marshall MSF students receive priority access to competition teams.
- Members of Trojan SMIF automatically qualify; non-SMIF members are welcome for initiative-specific programming.
- Commitment: one core meeting per month plus competition or mentorship cycles.
Join the initiative.
Interested graduate students — reach out to Professor Altintig directly, or drop us a line and we'll route you in.