Our People
Charlotte joined the Macquarie Graduate Program in 2023, having previously completed the Macquarie Summer Internship Program. She completed a double degree in Commerce/Advanced Studies (Dalyell Scholar) from the University of Sydney. Charlotte is now an Executive in the Solutions team within Macquarie Asset Management.
I was drawn to Macquarie because of its Australian heritage, innovative culture and strong market position. During university, I attended several Macquarie-hosted information sessions, which gave me valuable insights into the breadth of opportunities available and the company’s culture of embracing challenges. Macquarie’s international footprint - built from its Australian roots – and its platform that empowers people to drive innovation particularly inspired me. This global success is underpinned by a framework that empowers employees to pursue ideas and drive innovation. I was excited by the chance to learn from those shaping this culture and to contribute to it as I embarked on my professional career.
My team manages client investments in equities, such as Exchange Traded Fund’s and client-specific products. One project I worked on involved a client product which sought to integrate climate constraints into investment decisions. As an investment and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) analyst, my role included researching regulations and frameworks related to investing with a sustainability objective. I also analysed the current market landscape, for similar products and identifying existing practices and approaches. Collaborating with our quantitative research team, I compared data and investment rules to develop optimal guidelines that balanced the client’s climate objectives while maintaining investment perfromance.
The project culminated in the creation of an internal report, a presentation to our leadership team, and close collaboration with the client to refine the product’s customisation. It was a rewarding experience that combined technical research, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving.
My work falls into three key categories, regular cadence tasks, ad-hoc client requests and innovation and efficiency projects. Each day begins with monitoring data, news, or research relevant to portfolio companies or industry trends. This often leads to engagements with company representatives, where I draft questions and assess risks and opportunities. My team also produces external research which highlights emerging ESG themes in the market and explains how these are addressed in our investment processes or by the companies we invest in. From a client perspective, I respond to questions related to our ESG process and produce reports summarising our activities. Most days also involve meetings with internal stakeholders. These discussions might focus on policy advice, product development opportunities or sharing insights from stewardship activities.
A standout feature of Macquarie’s culture is its flat structure. Everyone, including juniors, is encouraged to speak up, share ideas, get involved and take ownership of new business opportunities or efficiency initiatives. For example, last year I was given the opportunity to moderate a conversation between our group CEO, Shemara Wikramanayake, and COO, Nicole Sorbara at an event for high school students. This reflects Macquarie’s core value of Opportunity, fostering an environment of personal growth and innovation. Collaboration is another defining feature. Teams across the organisation work together to solve challenges, share insights and leverage expertise. This creates a dynamic and supportive workplace where you’re constantly meeting new people, learning about different parts of the business, and tackling meaningful challenges.
Macquarie has a very active culture that encourages a healthy work-life balance. In my first year, I joined several sports teams, playing touch football with fellow graduates and netball with colleagues from Macquarie Asset Management (MAM). There are also groups throughout the business that organise social events, which I’ve found to be a great way to connect with colleagues. Some of the events I’ve attended include trivia nights, a wheelchair basketball competition, a paint-and-sip event, group fitness sessions at Barry’s Bootcamp, and monthly morning teas. These activities have helped me build relationships in a more casual setting and maintain balance in my work routine.
Charlotte Guest with her Macquarie touch football teammates.
The Macquarie Graduate Program provided regular development sessions on a range of topics, including business writing, financial wellbeing, data, and making strong first impressions. Each session was a valuable opportunity to connect with other graduates while learning important lessons that have supported my day-to-day work and wider career planning. Another key benefit of the program is the network it fosters. Building connections across different business units has given me exposure to the diverse work Macquarie undertakes as a group. This network has been invaluable for identifying collaboration opportunities, finding the right colleagues to answer questions, and exploring potential career paths. Understanding the broader business has also helped me identify areas where I can contribute and grow.
Get involved. The Graduate Program and individual business teams host a variety of events, development workshops and mentoring programs. Building your network is important at Macquarie, so make the time to attend these events and meet new people as you never know what opportunities might arise from a conversation. You don’t know what you don’t know and talking to people, asking questions and constantly learning may reveal new areas of interest or ways to get involved.
It’s also important to set personal goals. As a graduate, this is a unique time to explore your interests, strengths and passions. Setting small, achievable goals can help you discover what excites you and guide your career journey.
