September 9, 2024

Vivian Lin Thurston Named a P&I Most Influential Woman in Institutional Investing

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Vivian Lin Thurston headshot

Vivian Lin Thurston, CFA, partner, portfolio manager, has been named a Pensions & Investments 2024 Most Influential Women in Institutional Investing, announced September 9. The list, which is part of P&I’s Influential Women in Institutional Investing program, honors and celebrates women across the industry who have an outsize impact and are driving positive change.

Thurston has been a key driver of transformation at William Blair, in the asset management industry, and in the community.

A portfolio manager for William Blair’s Emerging Markets Growth, China A-Shares Growth, China Growth, and Emerging Markets ex China Growth strategies, Thurston is an expert on investing in the global consumer companies and emerging markets equities. She was instrumental in launching our China A-shares strategy and opening our Shanghai office, with responsibility for portfolio management, investment research, marketing, operations, and trading. During this process, she visited China 15 times, where she conducted more than 350 meetings with company management, local investors, policymakers, clients, consultants, and other experts.

But Thurston’s drive extends beyond William Blair and the industry. She is driven by a desire to give back to the community, promoting Chinese culture and developing women. As founder and chairman of the board of the Chinese Finance Association of America, she has helped Chinese women adjust to life in the United States and further their careers in finance. She has also been actively involved in the University of Illinois “Imprint” program, which helps undergraduate students with diverse backgrounds develop leadership skills; she established the Vivian Lin Thurston Graduate Fellowship in Sociology Fund to support research in challenges such as socio-economic inequality, racism, gender identity, and illegal immigration; and she established the Lin Hongyun Vivian Thurston Scholarship for Sociology Students at Peking University in China to award students who provide great services to the community.

Thurston is also the director and a principal dancer of the all-women Huaxing Arts Group, where she has helped talented female artists grow physically, artistically, and professionally.

 

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Our active ownership culture creates long-term client relationships by aligning with your interests and helping you achieve successful investment outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can partner with you.
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Contact Us

Our active ownership culture creates long-term client relationships by aligning with your interests and helping you achieve successful investment outcomes. Contact us to learn how we can partner with you.
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