by Mariana Franca Pavan, Class of 2025
Every year, the London School of Economics hosts the prestigious Alternative Investments Conference (LSE AIC), the world’s largest student-led event, bringing together top-tier professionals, investors, and students from around the globe. With more than 5,500 applicants and only 350 delegates selected, the LSE AIC provides a platform for in-depth discussions on private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital. More than 70 senior-level professionals from key industries came together at the conference through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, promising “to educate and inspire the next generations of business leaders”.
Kelley senior Mariana Franca Pavan represented IU at the Alternative Investments Conference at the London School of Economics recently. The conference is the world’s largest student-led event on private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital, bringing together top-tier professionals, investors, and students from around the globe. Kelley Global supported Mariana’s participation to the prestigious conference, which selects only 350 delegates from more than 5,500 applications.
This year, over 150 universities were present at the conference, and I had the honor of representing Indiana University and the Kelley School of Business at the 19th edition of the event. Over two days, I had the opportunity to interact with brilliant minds currently revolutionizing the fields of commerce and directly acquire knowledge from the ones responsible for shaping the industry. Discussions regarding the impact of tariffs on the alternatives industry, the evolution of the private credit market, the unprecedented growth of AI, and the sentiment behind the M&A landscape were among the main topics discussed at the conference.
Besides the keynotes and panels, I also had the chance to attend workshops led by firms such as Blackstone, Citadel, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Through the smaller workshops, I had the opportunity to closely interact with managing directors and founders. These sessions were incredibly valuable because I discussed outlooks on the private equity industry, conducted deal case studies, and expanded my knowledge of direct landing opportunities and quantitative finance.
More than just an academic experience, LSE AIC reshaped my perspective on business and leadership. Robyn Grew, CEO of Man Group ($175 billion AUM), highlighted how passion drives success and the importance of decisiveness, stating, “Indecision is worse than a bad decision.” Boaz Weinstein, founder of Saba Capital Management, reinforced the value of consistency in investing, emphasizing the need to be right at least 51% of the time. He also demonstrated the conference’s influence by announcing his continued campaign to reshape UK Investment Trusts.
Attending LSE AIC was a transformative experience, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and building strong professional relationships in the investment world. This experience wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of the Kelley Global Office and its shareholders. I am incredibly grateful for their assistance in making this trip a reality and for their commitment to providing students with global learning opportunities. The conference deepened my understanding of alternative investments and provided actionable insights that I will carry forward in my career. I look forward to applying what I learned in both my professional and academic pursuits, continuing to work towards my goal to leave an everlasting legacy in the finance industry.
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