30 Years of Purpose
Our Values and Promise
“For three decades, these values have guided how we serve our clients, support one another, and shape our industry.”
At Xponance, our values—client first, accountability, mutual respect, innovation, and diversity—aren’t just words on a page—they’re lived every day by the people who make this firm what it is. These stories from our colleagues show how our values come alive in real moments, big and small.
Client First
We exist because of our clients. Our primary goal is to understand their needs and provide optimal solutions to meet them.
Thoughtful Preparation Builds Client Trust
A recent client meeting at a local conference center showcased what it means to put clients first. Clarissa Parker took full ownership—from coordinating logistics and preparing the space, to adding thoughtful touches like refreshments and materials.
The result was a seamless and engaging experience that left a positive, lasting impression. Clarissa’s attention to detail demonstrated how hospitality and preparation strengthen client relationships and build trust.
Going the Extra Mile for Our Clients
When an urgent client request came in—seemingly impossible given the tight deadline—Shalonda Epps stepped up without hesitation. Balancing personal commitments, she worked late nights and through the weekend, coordinating with partners and sub-managers to deliver on time.
Her dedication exemplifies the spirit of Client First: doing whatever it takes to deliver exceptional results. Thanks to her commitment, the client’s expectations were not just met—they were exceeded.
Building Connections Through Shared Learning
At a recent industry conference, Lisa Hinds, Kila Weaver, and Madison Tyler organized a client and prospect dinner that became a standout moment of connection and collaborative learning.
The open conversation allowed our team and guests to exchange ideas and deepen relationships. The overwhelming positive feedback reinforced that Xponance’s client-centered approach goes beyond business—it’s about fostering meaningful partnerships built on trust and shared insight.
A Quick Shout Out to Everyone at Xponance
As another year comes to a close and “Camtober” wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on what truly makes Xponance special. We often use this space to highlight individual achievements, but I wanted to take a moment to recognize the collective spirit that defines our firm.
Beyond the strategies and results, it’s our people who make the real difference — a team that celebrates each other’s successes and shows genuine care and support, both in our professional roles and when life inevitably throws us challenges. That spirit gives our work meaning and makes Xponance feel like so much more than just a workplace.
On a lighter note, I hope everyone enjoys the Camtober Fancy Dress Celebration this Friday — it only seems right that Halloween gets to share the spotlight! Wishing everyone a fantastic close to 2025 and a strong start to the year ahead.
Accountability
Cross-Functional Collaboration Strengthens Accountability
When evaluating investment managers, cross-departmental collaboration is essential to ensuring accuracy, compliance, and risk management. During a recent compliance review, questions arose regarding a manager’s reporting and partnership structure.
Mimi Forbes and Genie Logue immediately stepped up—reviewing agreements line by line and engaging in thoughtful, detailed discussions to clarify every point.
Their teamwork ensured the review was thorough and strengthened our due-diligence process. Each time we collaborate in this way, our accountability deepens and our standards rise.
Going Above and Beyond to Support the Team
In our Durham office, Nicole Gerding and Antoinette Dyer consistently go above and beyond to create a supportive, well-run environment. Whether organizing team lunches, keeping the kitchen stocked, or managing the countless details that keep operations running smoothly, they do it all while excelling in their regular roles.
Their proactive spirit sets them apart—they don’t wait to be asked; they simply see what needs attention and take ownership.
Their efforts embody accountability by supporting colleagues and strengthening the entire team.
Stepping Up When It Matters Most
When an unexpected audit required urgent preparation, Nicole’s scheduled time off suddenly became uncertain. Ariyanna Chillis quickly stepped in, dedicating her time to gather critical information and finalize presentations.
Because of Ariyanna’s accountability and teamwork, the project stayed on track—and Nicole was still able to spend meaningful time with family.
It’s a reminder that accountability goes beyond deadlines; it’s about stepping in so the entire team can succeed.
Madison to the Rescue
A huge thank-you to Madison Tyler for saving our Aapryl/Bloomberg webinar! When Cesar and I ran into major audio issues, she identified the problem instantly, grabbed a replacement microphone, and kept the session on track—preventing what could have been total tech chaos.
Her quick thinking ensured a smooth, successful event. We truly appreciate her dedication and teamwork.
Mutual Respect
We will listen to, respect, and interact with each other as we want to be treated irrespective of title, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender.
Serving Others with Heart
Damaris Mathenge, Janelle Rodgers, Madison Tyler, Omaar Poitevien, and Sasan Poitevien recently volunteered at a community event supporting more than 300 people. Their service exemplified compassion, teamwork, and our culture of mutual respect.
Their willingness to give their time showed how caring for others strengthens our community inside and outside the firm.
Creating a Home Away from Home
Cesar Gonzales went out of his way to ensure a summer intern felt welcomed—from greeting them at the airport to including them in personal gatherings.
His generosity transformed a professional internship into a meaningful, supportive experience. It was a powerful display of respect, kindness, and true mentorship.
Celebrating Each Other’s Milestones
At a recent event honoring new professional charterholders, Clarissa Parker, Serena Li, Sneha Malakar, and Binika Rijal attended solely to support and celebrate their colleague.
Their presence turned a personal achievement into a shared moment of joy—showing how mutual respect is reflected in the way we show up for one another.
Helping Out in a Pinch
I was scheduled to open the Koried Conference in Coral Gables, but my travel plans took a turn. Janelle Rodgers had booked my flight the day before, but I mistakenly read the details—and with less than two hours before departure, I wasn’t even packed.
Janelle rushed to pick me up, got me to the airport just in time, and later arranged for my forgotten chargers to be delivered to my hotel.
Her quick thinking, reliability, and dedication were extraordinary examples of mutual respect and support.
A Culture of Servant Leadership
This week, the Xponance management team proudly reported for its annual food service duty at Broad Street Love in Philadelphia, supporting our unhoused neighbors. We served 245 meals on Monday afternoon — and did so with our whole hearts. No one understands the spiritual and physical nourishment of a hot meal more than an Xponancer.
Under Shalonda’s Epp’s leadership, we organized joyfully into teams for what became a five-Michelin-star, restaurant-style service. Highlights from the day included:
- Len Oremland, the self-declared Ketchup Man, gamely anchoring the meal prep line — with spectacular inefficiency (in his defense, cheesesteaks are not his native cuisine).
- Tina Byles Williams and Sumali Sanyal, braving 19-degree weather at the host door for over two hours — without hats or gloves — and greeting every guest with warmth and smiles.
- Genie Logue and Michelle Goss, who danced so enthusiastically to ’90s R&B with guests that they occasionally forgot to bus tables (understandably, Whitney Houston has that effect).
- A returning guest, dressed head-to-toe in a peach snowsuit, who spotted Charles Curry and greeted him by name — a touching reminder of the relationships built through this work.
- And the rest of the crew — AB Orr, Tom Quinn, David Andrade, and Mac Williams — who took their responsibilities so seriously that they occasionally struggled with enforcing the “no seconds” rule for guests still hungry.
The afternoon ended with a special surprise: the return of our former CCO, Shelley Sims, whose presence reminded us that our connection to community extends far beyond employment.
What a joy to our hearts. What a true Christmas present.
What a gift Dana is to our Xponance family!
Yesterday, I was greeted with an incredible burst of birthday cheer, orchestrated by none other than our very special and talented Dana Conlen. From the thoughtful decorations to the contagious enthusiasm that filled the office, it was impossible not to feel the genuine warmth and sense of community that Dana always brings to everything she touches.
Dana’s creativity and attention to detail shine through in all she does — whether it’s supporting her colleagues, brightening the workplace with her positivity, or coordinating celebrations that remind us how connected we are as a team. Her thoughtfulness perfectly captures the spirit of Xponance: caring for one another and finding joy in every shared moment.
Dana, you are truly a gift to our Xponance family, and your kindness made this day one to remember. Thank you for reminding us that even the smallest gestures can have the biggest impact.
Innovation
We perpetually strive for ways to improve our craft and are willing to take calculated evidence-based risks ahead of our peers in order to better serve our clients and firm.
Turning Constraints into Creative Solutions
When the team needed to produce a studio-quality fireside chat—on a tight budget and timeline—Sasan Poitevien and Janelle Rodgers transformed a challenge into an innovation story.
Instead of booking an expensive venue, they sourced a small photography loft and, within 24 hours, converted it into a polished production studio complete with lighting and audio enhancements.
Their resourcefulness delivered a high-quality result at a fraction of the cost, proving that innovation begins with creativity, teamwork, and a willingness to think differently.
Using Data and Diligence to Drive Smarter Outcomes
While reviewing a major data licensing agreement, Russell Frederick took a meticulous, analytical approach—consulting trading partners, operations teams, and sub-managers to identify which data elements were essential and which could be optimized.
His evidence-based analysis will generate significant long-term savings while maintaining accuracy and compliance. It is a prime example of innovation through diligence and thoughtful problem-solving.
More to Come, Under-40 Group!
A huge shoutout to our Under-40 investment team! Since the first Bitcoin presentation in January 2021, the group has collaborated quarterly, and this year marked a major milestone: the first full cross-platform project, from idea generation to a joint presentation.
Special thanks to Serena Li for her exceptional leadership.
Great work, team—more innovation ahead!
Thanks to Clarissa for Volunteering to Host
When I was unable to attend a new consultant meeting for our recently funded SGE client, Clarissa Parker stepped in at the last minute. She ensured the offsite space was accessible, fully set up, and even reset afterward.
Her flexibility and attention to detail made the meeting seamless. We are grateful for her support and professionalism.
Diversity
We embrace diversity as a competitive advantage and welcome contrary views that expand our perspectives. We will always be a force multiplier for positive change in the firm, investment industry and our communities.
Empowering Voices, Elevating Learning
The Summer 2025 Intern Presentation highlighted Xponance’s commitment to hands-on learning and inclusion. What began as a simple project evolved into a powerful example of how diverse perspectives spark innovation.
Interns collaborated across departments, taking full ownership—from concept development to final presentation. The result was a polished, insightful exploration of the investment management industry and Xponance’s role within it.
This experience showcased how empowering every voice nurtures curiosity, leadership, and collective excellence.
Paying It Forward — Empowering Future Investors
At Xponance, diversity means opening doors for others. When a local student investment group visited, Kila Weaver stepped up to mentor and inspire aspiring finance professionals—many of whom are the first in their families to pursue the field.
Through open discussion and real-world investing insights, our colleagues helped create an empowering and authentic learning experience. This initiative reflects the heart of our diversity value: sharing knowledge to expand opportunity far beyond our firm.
Diverse Expertise Drives Stronger Decisions
During a complex evaluation of an early-stage investment manager, success required the combined expertise of a diverse team. Genie Logue, Tom Quinn, Cesar Gonzales, and Omaar Poitevien brought backgrounds spanning private equity, research, and operations—allowing the team to examine the challenge from multiple angles.
Their collective insight strengthened the due-diligence process and demonstrated how cognitive diversity leads to sharper judgment and better outcomes for clients.
Making Me Feel Special on My Birthday!
A warm thank-you to Dana Conlen for turning my January birthday into a celebration! From festive decorations to flowers, a heartfelt card, and delicious bundt cakes, her thoughtful gestures made my day feel truly special.
Proof that even in the middle of winter, a little kindness makes everything brighter.
Our Legacy, Our Future
For 30 years, Xponance has thrived by staying true to these values — growing stronger through the trust of our clients and the shared purpose of our people. As we look ahead, our promise is to continue leading with integrity, innovation, and care for those we serve.