Interview with Nick Alvarez and Jomaira Santiago

With this interview we begin our series with A&M Private Equity Performance Improvement (PEPI) professionals who embody our culture and commitment to excellence. Meet Jomaira Santiago, PEPI Operations Director, interviewed by our leader, Nick Alvarez.

Jomaira has been with A&M for eleven years, starting as an Executive Assistant in our Financial Industry Advisory Services (FIAS) practice then moving to PEPI US in 2019. Jomaira has led tremendous change in our operations initiatives, helping to automate and improve processes as we scale up (our practice has doubled in size in three short years) and seek to better serve our clients

Nick: So Jomaira, let’s start with a personal question. describe yourself in the three words that embody who you are as a professional and a person?

Jomaira: I would say: Patience. Empathy. And Driven.

Nick: Patience, empathy and driven.. tell me more about those specifically. And feel free to share your experiences that helped you develop these traits.

Jomaira: I was raised by a single mother in the South Bronx along with my two brothers. My mother instilled in us that a strong work ethic was the path to success in the world. So, to aspire to be something better, I needed to do very well in school. I was all about getting a great education and persevering – I cultivated patience throughout those years by just staying in the game, even through some serious challenges. I kept my eye on the long game.

I was awarded a scholarship to attend NYU and did very well. I thought I did everything that I was supposed to do: earn great grades, keep my head down and work hard. Then I graduated college and I’m out in the real world, and the only job I could get was as an Executive Assistant. I worked for several law firms in this role, but really did not see a way to break out of that mold.

And so, you know, I struggled. But when I look at that time, I believe that I really learned to feel for people like me who worked so hard to excel and to fit into a different kind of world than they grew up in.

When I came to interview at A&M, again as an Executive Assistant, I saw a different path. I interviewed with Sam Golden and Jeffrey Rose. Here were two leaders that I truly resonated with in a unique way. We shared similar stories and similar ambitions. So, we cultivated “mutual empathy”! And they presented a different kind of opportunity: “A&M is growing, there is potential for everyone who works hard and wants to grow to develop into bigger and better roles”.

Sam lit a new fire in me, that drive to succeed, to go farther.

Nick: Sam has always inspired others around him at A&M, and he was clearly a sponsor of yours. For me, more importantly, he sponsored you from the time you joined as an executive assistant. He saw the potential in you and pushed you to the forefront. That has been great for you of course but also for the team and me personally as we have worked together.

Jomaira: Oh I agree! That faith he had in me really gave me the confidence to work harder, to extend myself into other areas of our growing practice. I approached Sam early on and said, “You know I think that I could be doing more for FIAS.” And he said, I will never forget this, “Well then, write it down – problem, solution – then we will talk about it.” And that is exactly what I did.

And you know, I still do that. Every year, in whatever role I have had at A&M, I look at the organization and say, “OK what can I do to improve it?” I get out my piece of paper and start writing.

 Nick: What was your path to joining us in PEPI US?

Jo: Sam was winding down his role at A&M. I saw an opening for an Operations Manager in PEPI US, and Sam was the one who made the call to you Nick, remember? And that is what set me on the path out of the EA role at last and into Operations.

Nick: I remember getting that call about you! Now, tell me how did you manage the change in role, professionally and personally?

 Jomaira: It was scary to leave my home of seven years. But I was prepared. I had invested in extra training, I had really grown under the FIAS leadership into a role beyond the EA role I was hired for. I was ready for the jump to Manager. Scared, but ready. And everyone in PEPI welcomed me with open arms.

I think that is another thing I truly appreciate about the firm and about the PEPI practice: that once you are on the team, the team stands behind you. Inclusivity sounds good on paper, but this was inclusivity in action. I have been pushed harder here than in any other role. I have also been given a lot of leeway to create solutions, to vet these with leadership. I have felt from Day 1 that I had a seat at the table.

 Nick: So here we are today. You have been promoted to Director. You are poised for continued growth in our practice. What advice would you give to others looking to take their next leap forward?

Jomaira: One is you really have to be deliberate about your growth plan. Develop your skills over time to grow in not just the job you have, but the job you want. What training do you need? Further education? Who do you need to meet? What is the next opportunity that will stretch you professionally? Make your plan actionable and own it!

Second, you have to approach everything that you do with a leader mindset. I always did that starting from when I was an EA. Everything I do I take accountability and approach it with as much authority and diligence as I can. This is something that we stress to our PEPI EA’s, our administrative team and our client service professionals. No hip shooting, be fact-based and lead.

Third, you have to speak up and say precisely what you want. Get out your piece of paper and write it down. At A&M, I was pushed at first, absolutely, but then I owned my ride to Director. In the PEPI practice, Nick, and I believe A&M as a whole, there is this culture of meritocracy. You can succeed, you can move up the ladder. But leaders are not mind readers. We have to be ambitious and discuss our goals with our leaders. Kathy Iversen (Managing Director, PEPI US), to whom I report, reminds me often that I bring so much value to this practice. However, I needed her guidance to better verbalize that in a material way. I have gotten such great coaching from Kathy on this, and I try to pass on that guidance to others.

Nick: Great words of wisdom. And, I agree with Kathy: you have brought tremendous value to our practice. We are a better organization because of your hard work and foresight for the team. Thank you, Jo, for all you do for the practice and for sitting down with me for this interview to share your personal journey.