March 2025
At ICONIQ, we remain committed to fostering equal opportunities for professional growth and development for all employees. The extraordinary women within our firm and across the ICONIQ community lead us to embrace fresh perspectives, uncover new insights, and pave the way toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
1Team composition data as of March 25th, 2025.
As a global team with offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, New York City, Singapore, and London, one way we strengthen our connections and inspire one another is through our diverse employee engagement groups. Among these, our group ICONIQ Women plays a pivotal role in empowering women to excel in their current roles and grow into leadership positions. Through guided discussions, thought-provoking panels, internal spotlights on women leaders, and intimate networking dinners, we cultivate a strong sense of community among ICONIQ women and allies.
Last summer, ICONIQ Women invited all our San Francisco and Palo Alto employees to gather and reconnect with colleagues, forge new connections across the firm, and learn from two guest speakers. Jenna Fisher—author, executive search advisor at Russell Reynolds for F1000 companies, and a celebrated advocate for advancing women in the workplace—joined us for an inspiring conversation about her decades of experience advising world-class leaders on their career journeys. Our group then spent time with Erin Aliaga, founder of Drops of Dough, a provider of dangerously delicious cookies and ice cream sandwiches; her company also donates a portion of its sales to fund pediatric cancer research.
Now in its sixth year, the ICONIQ Women Fellowship connects colleagues across offices through peer mentorship and skill-building sessions on topics like championing yourself, managing up, work-life harmony, and networking. As one of our flagship initiatives that approximately 40% of employees participated in, it underscores ICONIQ’s goal of increasing female representation in senior leadership roles.
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Through ICONIQ Impact, our platform for collaborative philanthropy, we support women and girls advancing equity and wellbeing in their communities. This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to highlight Force of Nature, a woman-founded grantee in our $200M Youth Mental Wellbeing Co-Lab.[2]
Founded in 2019 by then-19-year-old Clover Hogan, and now led by Kat Hamilton, Force of Nature helps young people transform “eco-anxiety” into climate action.
“At 16, I travelled to Paris for COP21,” Hogan says. “I went in with starry-eyed optimism that world leaders would solve this existential threat...instead, I met people who were fluent in greenwashing, making promises scheduled far enough into the future that they required no immediate action.”
While Hogan was familiar with the frustration and anger she felt, she also had a new feeling of powerlessness that she had never experienced before.
“Looking at the people around me—anxious students, calculating policymakers, cautious corporate leaders—I saw that same feeling reflected in their eyes,” she says.
That experience sparked the idea for Force of Nature. Force of Nature helps young people, like Clover, turn their climate anxiety into activism. In its flagship training program, youth participants develop public speaking skills, learn to advise influential figures such as corporate and government leaders, and gain the ability to lead climate advocacy training programs for their peers.
Since its founding in 2019, Force of Nature has delivered programs to thousands of young people and influenced decision-makers across business and policy.
Young people are often referred to as the "climate generation.” To protect our planet, we believe it’s critical for them to be empowered and to be a part of the decisions that shape their future. Force of Nature is exactly that.
2ICONIQ Impact serves as a philanthropic advisor to the third party sponsoring the Co-Lab and receives compensation for its advice.
ICONIQ Growth partners with visionaries defining the future of their industries to transform the world. Our investment platform and unique ecosystem help amplify our portfolio companies’ success, from the early and growth stages to IPO and beyond. We are fortunate to partner with extraordinary women founders and CEOs in the ICONIQ Growth portfolio.
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Below are a few words of inspiration on life and leadership from some of the women at ICONIQ.
“Leadership to me means placing the goals and needs of many above that of one (yourself) every day. It means doing the difficult, the unpopular, the unknown, in service of the teams you support. What no one really tells you is that it’s okay to be frightened by challenges that come your way. New leadership opportunities often embody themselves for me, to put it frankly and visually, as jumping into the cold, choppy, can’t-see-the-bottom, deep-end of the ocean without knowing if you will be able to swim in those waters. Healthy doses of humility and humanity are actually the propellants of the leaders I most admire.
It’s also easy to think that there is a singular prototype of successful leadership, especially in finance. I am here to tell you that there are a million different ways to be a high-impact leader at ICONIQ. What makes you a little different is often what turns out to be your superpower in the eyes of others. Though it’s often hard for us to see this and embrace it about ourselves. It’s so simple but also so difficult to do: Be yourself and let your own unique style shine through. You might just break some molds for the rest of us in the process.”
— Sarah Li, managing director, family office advisory
“In thinking about how I lead, I often reflect on how I would want to be led. Leadership starts with clarity—setting a clear North Star for the objective at hand and charting the course with consideration for key stakeholders. I don’t believe leaders need to have all the answers, but they do need to ask questions. Asking questions helps us collectively build the broadest picture of opportunities and constraints
Equally important is leading with empathy. The best leaders don’t just direct; they listen, understand, and create space for others to bring their unique strengths forward. Leadership is about building influence through trust, leveraging the superpowers of those around you, and galvanizing a team toward a shared purpose.”
— Yidrienne Lai, general partner, ICONIQ Growth
“I have always observed that leaders take one of two approaches—leading by intimidation or by inspiration. I choose the latter, striving to energize people, lift them up, and foster a sense of ownership. When you empower others and ensure all voices are heard, commitment deepens, outcomes improve, and people feel more fulfilled. Leadership is about balance—you can provide direction and make decisive calls while staying humble enough to recognize when someone, regardless or title or tenure, may know more than you. In those moments, true leadership is about stepping back, giving them the floor, and allowing them to lead. Ultimately, leadership is a mindset, demonstrated through actions, often in the smallest moments.”
—Lindsay Moy, senior vice president, family office advisory
“Being a good leader starts with being a respected, valuable member of a team. And gaining respect is best done through being both good at your job and someone others want to work with—exhibited through a combination of excellence and empathy (and self-awareness)! The transition from teammate to leader happens when you start focusing on the needs of the group as a whole over your own individually. Being approachable, putting ego aside, and understanding what drives others is a recipe for strong leadership.”
— Kate Mesman, senior associate, family office advisory
“Stop fixing and start coaching—leadership is about unlocking potential, not just solving problems.”
— Chhayal Mehta, vice president, ICONIQ Studio
“My leadership style centers on uplifting those around me and embracing continuous learning. Inspired by both past and current managers who advocated for me and lifted me up, I strive to embody that supportive approach. I view each day as an opportunity for growth, gathering insights and feedback from multiple individuals while cultivating strong relationships that make work both engaging and enjoyable.”
— Rashi Desai, senior associate, ICONIQ Impact
“There’s still immense potential for growth in achieving equitable treatment of women in the workplace, and that change starts with honesty and openness about the areas that need improvement. When we unite, our voices grow stronger—so don’t hold back from speaking your truth, with peers and others with the ability to affect change. Whether just as a working woman or a working mother, I’ve learned that being a true leader often means standing firm and defending what you know is right, even in the face of adversity.”
— Kylee Badger, vice president, financial advisory
“My motto at work and at home is ‘we do hard things.’ If it were easy, it wouldn’t be work. It would be a hobby, and I would have less gray hair. The opportunities at ICONIQ are endless if you are willing to work within the white space, and just because it’s hard doesn’t mean we don’t have fun doing it together.”
— Megan Nolen, vice president, office of the COO
“My goal is to empower individuals to become the best version of themselves by providing education, resources, and strategic planning. I’ve found that personalized guidance and actionable insights help people unlock their full potential, make informed decisions, and create a clear path toward success in both their personal and professional lives.”
— Heather Pierson, vice president, engagement & development
“Approach every opportunity with gratitude and give it my best effort. Have the grit and tenacity to overcome challenges. Always find the positive in every situation and learn from every experience. Keep improving, keep growing, and never let a 'no' hold you back.”
— Zhongyu Luo, vice president, family office advisory
“Very early in my career when I was struggling a lot with imposter syndrome, one of my most valued mentors told me, “Don’t fake it ‘til you make it, fake it until you become it.” It’s easy to look around at the incredibly successful people in the room and wonder if you truly belong, questioning the role you play. But the reality is that everyone is figuring it out as they go—learning, evolving, and growing into the leaders they are meant to be. True confidence comes not from having all the answers, but from believing in the person you’re becoming and relentlessly working toward that vision.”
— Sarah Stebbins, principal, ICONIQ Growth
“There were times when I doubted whether I was truly valued, attributing my growth to luck rather than ability. Over time, I realized that everyone faces uncertainty, but growth comes from embracing challenges and continuously learning. Seeking feedback and mentorship helped me recognize my strengths and build confidence. Now, I focus on the value I bring rather than self-doubt, always striving to grow beyond myself by learning, adapting, and supporting those around me.”
— Cassie Kong, senior associate, valuations
“Don’t let your self-doubt stand in the way of your success—if you’ve got a seat at the table, it’s because you’ve earned it, so speak up!”
— Sabina Johnston, senior vice president, corporate accounting
“Fifty years ago women were not able to open their own bank account or apply for a credit card on their own. While this seems unbelievable, many women are still not as comfortable managing money as men, though I am hopeful that continues to evolve. I’m grateful that I was raised by a strong working mom and supported by mentors, both male and female, to be a position where we are giving financial advice to families across the world.”
— Sarah Coyne, managing director, financial advisory