Women of AIMSE LinkedIn Spotlight on Vice President, Claudette Grant, J.D., CAIA
Claudette Grant, J.D., CAIA, is a Director on BlackRock’s U.S. and Canada Institutional Client Business team, where she works with public and corporate pension plan clients. She is based in Chicago and has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry.
Before joining BlackRock, Claudette spent nearly five years at Capital Group as a Vice President and Relationship Manager serving public fund and Taft Hartley clients. Her career has been shaped by a strong focus on client partnerships, mentorship, and long term relationship building.
Claudette has been actively involved with the Association of Investment Management Sales Executives (AIMSE) since the early stages of her career. She first engaged with AIMSE through the Annual Conference, where she participated in the sales bootcamp and was paired with Miriam Tai through the mentor/mentee program. She joined the AIMSE Board of Directors in 2021, was elected to the Executive Committee in 2024, and will transition into the role of President of AIMSE in June 2026.
She holds a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University, and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst℠ designation.
Career Journey
Can you tell us about your career journey and how you got started in the industry?
Financial services is actually my second career. I graduated from law school and spent the first few years of my career practicing real estate and business law before deciding to pivot into asset management. I had always been interested in financial services and took business and finance coursework in both undergrad and law school, but at the time, I did not have the exposure or mentorship needed to fully pursue that interest after graduating.That changed when I met Mac Williams, a former attorney who had successfully transitioned into asset management. He helped me land my first role at Xponance, a boutique investment firm based in Philadelphia. At Xponance, Founder Tina Byles Williams and President, Mac Williams were supportive of my career development. They encouraged me to pursue investment designations, travel with the research team on manager due diligence visits and participate in sales training experiences that were critical in helping me build the confidence needed to succeed in this industry.I have also been fortunate to have strong mentors throughout my sales career. Sam Austin was my first sales manager and played a meaningful role in helping me believe that I could succeed in this industry. Later, my time working with Michael Bowman was pivotal. He pushed me in ways that challenged my limits and broadened my perspective on what was possible for me as a woman of color in this industry. He has been one of the toughest managers I have worked for but also one of the most impactful and I am incredibly thankful for the experience and growth that came from working with him.
Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your career that shaped your path?
While I really valued my time at several investment firms, my decision to join BlackRock was a pivotal moment in my career. That move expanded my product experience and helped me deepen my client relationships. Working for the world’s largest asset manager has given me broad exposure across the investment landscape that I would not have had elsewhere, and the relationships I have built with clients have been incredibly meaningful.Joining a firm of that size felt daunting at first, so I was intentional about how I approached the transition. I spent time learning from current and former relationship managers and put together a 90 day plan inspired by The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins. That preparation made a real difference, and it is a book I’d recommend to anyone considering a move into a new role or organization.
Current Role and Responsibilities
What is your current role, and what are your primary responsibilities?
I am a senior relationship manager working with corporate and public pension clients. My primary responsibility is to serve as the day to day point of connection between my clients and the broader resources of our firm, helping them navigate portfolio decisions, market developments, and their evolving investment needs.A large part of my role is developing a deep understanding of each client’s portfolio and objectives so that I can identify solutions that are aligned with where they are today and where they are headed.
What do you enjoy most about your current position?
What I enjoy most is the relationship side of the work. Building trust over time and becoming someone clients value as a sounding board is incredibly meaningful to me.What really motivates me is partnering with clients to work through new ideas and challenges. What makes this work so fulfilling is when these conversations turn into solutions that eventually open the door to new opportunities.
Involvement with AIMSE
How did you first get involved with AIMSE, and what motivated you to join?
I was introduced to AIMSE very early in my career by Sam Austin. One of the main reasons I was encouraged to attend my first Annual Conference was to participate in the sales bootcamp, which at the time was led by Michael Gillis and Chris Rae. During that same conference, I was also paired with Miriam Tai through the mentor/mentee program, which immediately made the organization and the broader community feel very welcoming.
Can you share a memorable experience or connection you’ve made through AIMSE?
One memorable connection I have made through AIMSE is with Chris Rae. I first met him through the sales bootcamp, and while we don’t see each other often, his energy and commitment to continuous learning have always stood out to me. He has consistently offered thoughtful advice and words of encouragement that have had a lasting impact on me over the years.
Advice and Insights
What advice would you give to young women looking to build a career in this industry?
Build your network early and be intentional about seeking out mentors and sponsors who offer different perspectives. Stay curious, advocate for yourself, and do not be afraid to take calculated risks—even if the path is not always linear. Most importantly, stay authentic and true to your goals, and trust that the right opportunities will follow when you do.
How do you think organizations like AIMSE can further support women in their professional development?
Organizations like AIMSE make a real difference by creating space for community beyond our individual firms. Those cross-organizational connections help women build meaningful, long-lasting mentorship and sponsorship relationships.Equally as important, they create room for genuine friendships grounded in shared experiences, trust, and support. Those connections make it easier to learn from one another and navigate growth, change, and career transitions together.
Personal Reflections
Who has been a mentor or role model for you, and how have they influenced your career?
I’ve been fortunate to have a diverse group of mentors and sponsors throughout my career, and I truly believe that no one succeeds alone. I often think about mentorship as having a personal “Board of Directors”—people with different perspectives and experiences whom I can lean on as I think through new opportunities, challenges, and career pivots.Several individuals have played meaningful roles at different stages of my journey. Early on, Mac Williams and Tina Byles Williams were instrumental in helping me successfully transition from law into asset management. They invested in my development, encouraged me to build new skills, and gave me the confidence to take on opportunities that stretched me early in my career.As I moved into sales, Sam Austin helped me build confidence and find my footing during a critical stage of professional growth. I also gained valuable perspective from working with Michael Bowman, whose candid guidance and high standards helped me grow professionally and sharpen my sense of what I wanted from my career. He has always been genuinely invested in my success.I have also been deeply influenced by mentors who brought different leadership perspectives. Miriam Tai, a fellow AIMSE member and former president, offered guidance shaped by her own experience navigating the industry. Her insight was especially helpful as I thought more intentionally about leadership, visibility, and long term career growth.
Additionally, Dyice Ellis Beckham has been a constant source of support throughout my career. As another Black woman in sales, she has consistently rooted for me, made herself available, and helped me think through career opportunities with honesty, especially during pivotal moments of transition.
Each of these mentors brought something different to the table, and together they’ve shaped how I navigate my career today. Their support reinforced the importance of building a diverse network of advisors, and of paying that mentorship forward whenever possible.
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
I truly believe balance is critical. It helps you recharge and teaches people to value your time over the long term. Over the years, I have gotten more comfortable saying “no”. We cannot be all things to all people, and making space to rest really matters.I also think it is important to develop interests outside of work. I love international travel—it is one of the ways I disconnect and reset. This year, I am heading to Maui and Japan, and I always enjoy trips to Paris and Greece.
Future Aspirations
What are your future goals, both personally and professionally?
Professionally, I would love to lead a team and play a role in shaping strategy at an organizational level. That said, I am also intentionally keeping my opportunities open—my mentors and sponsors have consistently encouraged me to think bigger and remember that there really are no limits. Personally, I want to continue growing, learning, and staying open to where both life and my career may take me.
How do you envision the future of women in this industry, and what changes would you like to see?
I hope for a future where women and people of color are increasingly visible and influential in leadership roles across the industry. Representation at the top matters, and real change often starts there. As more women and people of color step into decision-making roles, I believe it will create a more inclusive, dynamic industry and open the door for the next generation to see what is possible.