PG Perspectives

Meet our D&I Network Members

Ayodeji Ayodele, Senior Associate, Private Infrastructure

You are a senior associate in the Private Infrastructure team, based in our New York office. What are your key responsibilities?

As an investment professional, my key responsibilities involve managing workstreams throughout the investment process, from sourcing to execution to asset management. With our direct investments, we take an entrepreneurial approach, which translates to tangible experiences that bring to life what we put in our models and investment memos. This came to life for me during my secondment at our portfolio company, Budderfly, and opened a new set of strategic responsibilities  and experiences as an investment professional at Partners Group.

When did you join Partners Group and how has your role progressed over that time?

I joined Partners Group in July 2019 as part of the rotational Associate Program in Denver, which provided an opportunity to experience investment approaches and cultures on multiple teams within the firm. After a brief stint on the Private Debt team, I joined the Private Infrastructure team focusing on Direct Investing. In my early days, my focus was primarily on investment execution and internal asset management. It's been great to be part of the growth of the infrastructure platform through increased capital raises and the growth of our team globally. My role has now evolved into leading workstreams across the investment cycle and sourcing opportunities that are relevant to our thematic investing goals and strategic pillars.

You are a D&I leader at Partners Group. What does inclusion mean to you?

Inclusion is simply defined as the practice of including people who have historically been excluded. Inclusion to me is being able to bring your full self in the form of aptitude and perspectives to the workplace without fear. My goal as a D&I leader is to ensure that every employee is included, through the provision of opportunity, resources and support, in the success and growth at Partners Group.

 

"My goal as a D&I leader is to ensure that every employee feels included. This culture of inclusion includes resources and support for all employees to ensure their growth and success at Partners Group."

As part of your D&I leadership, you co-lead Partners Group's Black Network. What are the priorities for the group and what initiatives are you working on?

Our mandate is to support the fostering of an inclusive environment for current and future black employees at Partners Group. On the front end, this comes through recruitment, training and mentoring for new employees and subsequently through professional development and creation of strong community to retain our employees. We also want to continue engaging and partnering with the relevant internal stakeholders, such as our sponsors, leaders and peer affinity groups, to further strengthen alignment with the organization to ensure that we all win together.

D&I is a focus topic for Partners Group. How important is it for our clients and prospects?

Diversity & inclusion initiatives are becoming more important for all stakeholders including clients and prospects. Clients are rightfully focused on ensuring that the stewards of their capital fully represent and account for all their beneficiaries when making investment decisions. Diversity & inclusion is in Partners Group's DNA and this has resonated strongly our clients and our portfolio companies.

What advice would you give to graduates considering a career in private markets?

Private markets are a great industry to mesh passion for investing with continued intellectual stimulation. The industry is at an exciting inflection point with the increased level of investment capital and evolving investment approach, and this presents an opportunity to join a team that will help drive significant societal impact. Seek out resources, mentors, and teammates that will enable you to grow and eventually make your impact in this exciting industry and in society.