Qinnan

Qinnan is a Vice President in the Private Equity Department in GIC’s San Francisco Office. As a valuable member of the Direct Investments Group, she focuses on large private equity investments in North America. Qinnan and her team source and evaluate investment opportunities based on companies’ financial profile, market and competitive positioning, and valuation. After investing, Qinnan and her colleagues joins the companies’ boards and support their performance throughout the ownership period. 

In her free time, Qinnan enjoys practicing Pilates, reading, and trying out new restaurants and sharing her reviews. 

Why did you decide to join GIC?

Before joining GIC, I was aware of GIC as Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, but I did not fully appreciate the breadth and depth of GIC’s investment strategies.  

However, after learning about the Direct Investments Group, I was excited to discover that the firm’s philosophies towards investing and culture aligned well with my own. Since joining, I have had the privilege of working on interesting investments across various industries, which has been a rewarding experience.

What does your typical workday look like?

Every day at work is unique and exciting. When I am working on an active deal, my schedule is usually packed with diligence meetings with the management team, our third-party advisors, and my deal team members. However, if I am not working on an active deal, I speak to bankers and our partners at other private equity firms about our strategy and upcoming opportunities. Typically, my workday ends around early evening, and I like to unwind at home by preparing and enjoying a nice dinner. 

What do you like most about working here?

Undoubtedly, the people are the best part of working at GIC. My colleagues are not only intelligent and knowledgeable, but they are also humble, funny, and compassionate individuals. Their support and camaraderie have made my experience at GIC truly remarkable. 

Moreover, I have been pleasantly surprised by how agile and adaptable GIC is as an organization, despite its size and long history. The leadership at GIC is continuously seeking feedback to improve as investors and as an organization. For example, in the last few years, new private equity strategies have been developed to invest in promising, earlier-stage opportunities in healthcare and energy transition sectors. This demonstrates GIC’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve and remaining relevant in an ever-changing investment landscape. 

How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?

Working at GIC has helped me grow both personally and professionally. I have become a more thoughtful investor by learning from my colleagues, who are experts in their respective fields. Additionally, I have improved my communication skills and become a more persuasive speaker by presenting to our investment committee.  

My managers take the time and effort to provide me with immediate feedback year-round, which allows me to continuously improve and grow.  

Moreover, my team has been supportive in helping me design and build a long-term career at GIC that aligns with my goals. The culture at GIC encourages personal and professional growth, and I am fortunate to be a part of such a supportive and collaborative team.  

What you should know before joining GIC

GIC is a unique organisation, both in terms of its culture and its position within the investment ecosystem. As someone who has had the privilege of working at GIC, I would highly encourage you to speak to as many current or former employees as possible to gain a better understanding of the organisation and how you may build your career in GIC.