By Shane Svorec
Standing in a crowded room among financial bigwigs and stock professionals, Amrita exudes quiet confidence, garnering respect and commanding the attention of the room. Petite in stature, make no mistake, she’s a powerhouse. Amrita Nandakumar is soft, yet fierce, bold, yet strategic. She is the President of Vident, but to some who work with her, she is also known as the “ETF Queen.”
I had the pleasure of meeting Amrita at the NYSE as we celebrated the launch of the Alaska ETF (AKAF), The Frontier Economic Fund. Within moments of our introduction, I could ascertain she was poised, intelligent, warm, and gracious. As I got to know her better, I learned that she is no stranger to the fast-paced city life or the ever-evolving world of finance. Born in New York City, she attended grade school in the southern part of the Garden State, not far from Philadelphia. The New Jersey state line didn’t stop her from rooting for opposing teams, though. She is proud to proclaim that she’s a devoted Phillies and Eagles fan. She studied economics and political science in Washington, D.C., before moving to Philadelphia to pursue her MBA. Having lived in various metropolitan areas, Amrita loves the city, but now resides in the suburbs of NYC.
When I asked Amrita what a typical workday looks like for her and what some of her favorite and least favorite parts of the day are, she remarked that the best part about her role is that there is no such thing as a typical workday. From strategic planning and client management to business development and employee oversight, she is always doing something different. What doesn’t change, however, is that she is constantly engaging with people, which she genuinely enjoys, demonstrating her diverse skillset, and continuously trying to master a schedule that defies wrangling. She admits that while email is an effective and efficient form of communication, it’s a part of business that she wishes she could manage more easily without feeling behind. The burden of email is real.
As a writer for Smart Women, Smart Money magazine, I naturally wanted to learn more about Amrita’s career, while also exploring her personal experiences in the workforce and any challenges she may have faced as a woman. Without pausing, Amrita announced that, working in the male-dominated financial services industry, she’s always been aware that, “as a woman of color, she may be perceived differently. It’s a reality that comes with being a female executive, but it’s not something I dwell on.”
She went on to say that “while women have yet to achieve full parity in the workforce, an increasing number of male colleagues have become allies for women.” And, whether we like it or not, women need the support of men to gain a foothold in the workplace successfully. Amrita continued by sharing that she is “fortunate to have had the support of male managers and leaders (past and present) who are willing to advocate for intelligent women who are eager to work hard and learn quickly.”
As we continued the conversation, I mentioned “ETF Queen” and was curious about how she obtained the nickname.
With a smile that gave both humble and flattered vibes, she said that it was a lovely and generous nickname bestowed upon her by a dear colleague. “ETF, which stands for exchange-traded funds, has been the focus of my entire financial services career.” Within the walls of Vident, the nickname is very appropriate as she breathes, lives, and sleeps ETFs all day!
Moving on, I was interested in learning about her life outside of work and how she enjoys spending her free time.
Energetically, she told me that she enjoys working out and spending time with her kids. Like many working moms, she admitted that she “sometimes feels that familiar guilt when worries of possibly missing out on meaningful moments with them creep in.” I was delighted to hear, however, that Amrita understands the importance of balance and that taking care of herself – exercising, eating well, taking moments to relax – is the best thing she can do for both her family and her career. She followed it up by saying that this practice “allows me to show up as the best version of myself.” Of course, it’s easier said than done. With a moment of reflection, she continued, “Finding time for myself is tough, as it is for so many women. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to make the effort.”
As we neared the end of our conversation, I was already checking my calendar to find another time to sit down and chat with her. My final question to Amrita elicited a beautiful response, one that left me proud to share this interview with Smart Women Smart Money readers. The question?
What’s one piece of advice you’ve found helpful and want to share with other working women?
“In my experience, many women feel pressured to figure everything out on their own. What I have learned is that needing help is not a sign of weakness; in fact, there are moments when it is necessary to acknowledge that you are overwhelmed.” People are usually quick to help you if you ask for it. The truth is none of us can succeed entirely on our own. She went on to say that “the smartest women (she) knows quickly realized that advocacy and support from colleagues, mentors, and peers are crucial for success, both in the workplace and at home. There is no shame in asking for help.”
Well said, Amrita.
I thoroughly enjoyed this interview and trust that other women will find Amrita’s responses to be enlightening, encouraging, and constructive. The power of strong, intelligent women should not be underestimated, and the importance of supporting one another should not be overlooked.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shane Svorec is a Sales and Marketing Professional who, during Covid, pursued her long-time passion for writing, published her first book, and became an award-winning author. Her work includes Broken Little Believer: Finding Purpose in All the Pretty Painful Pieces, The Busy Bridge That Got Its Break, and Acorn Adventures. An inspirational writer who connects with readers through her colorful storytelling abilities, encouraging messages, and positive perspective, she lives in NJ with her husband, three children, and rescue pets.
