Leo Kolivakis’ Post

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Publisher of Pension Pulse

This is a great story about how Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin took care of one one of his employees after she fell gravely ill in 2012. Another great story Griffin shared with Nicolai Tangen in an interview earlier this year is how one of his managing directors came to see him one day saying a top employees of his decided to leave the firm to pursue her passion in medicine. “You have to talk to her out of it, she’s one of our better employees,” the managing director told him. Griffin replied: “Why would I do that? She should pursue her passion and if it’s not finance, then we are losing a great physician by keeping her here.” (I’m paraphrasing) Not only did Griffin not talk this employee out of leaving, he wrote her a letter of recommendation to enter med school. We hear a lot of stories about how the hedge fund business is cutthroat and full of pr*cks — and to be sure, it is — but there are also a lot of great stories we never hear about. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eCj66j8N And make sure you read my latest covering top funds’ activity in Q2: https://lnkd.in/eaa3a7fM

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Build teams, create relationships, host podcasts

Ken Griffin is the Billionaire Founder & CEO of one of the world's largest hedge funds, Citadel. Here is the little known story of how he reacted when his executive assistant fell gravely ill… In 2012 Susan Warmerdam - an executive assistant to Ken at Citadel – was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer. Despite having never smoked in her life, the condition was described by doctors as “untreatable and incurable”. The diagnosis was devastating.   Upon hearing the news, Ken offered his private jet for her “to go anywhere in the world for 10 days.” Susan couldn’t bring herself to take him up on the offer right away, but after two years of successful treatments including surgeries, clinical trials and chemotherapy, she was miraculously given the all clear and declared cancer free. Upon hearing the news of Susan’s full recovery, and knowing her 50th birthday was nearing, Ken offered the jet to Susan again. She accepted and took her entire family on vacation to Kauai – “the Garden Island” in Hawaii. “He was so happy I was going,” Susan said. The family posed for a picture creating letters that said Mahalo or ‘thank you’ in Hawaiian and sent it to Ken. It’s not the first time Ken has offered employee’s unique opportunities and perks. He has been known to rent entire movie theaters for employees and their families, to ship in special frozen milkshakes from Wisconsin for the office and also sends employees who have recently become parents gifts such as cashmere blankets and reading chairs. Ken is frequently asked in interviews the secret behind how he has grown Citadel so quickly, to which he typically replies: “Our people are our greatest asset”.

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Eric Paradis

Self-motivated lifelong learner, highly skilled in business and project management. Seeking opportunities in investing or financial services

3w

Ken has $45 billion of short positions that were not covered a few short years ago. I don't think he expects to cover them. I'm sure he could pay for plenty of medical school tuitions if he shorted the entire Russell 2000.

definitely long citadel…especially if no quality competition arises

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Jonathan Mechanic

Chairman of Real Estate Department at Fried Frank

2w

Great story about an extraordinary person! Bravo!!

Dan Ragen

Partner, Senior Advisor at Ridgedale Advisors LP

3w

Love this

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Tommy Tan

Quant & Algo Trader, TSS Capital

3w

Wise!

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