In this episode of CFI Member Spotlight on FinPod, we showcase the incredible journey of Iuliia Tuseeva, an Equity Analyst at the BEAM Fund and a student at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Vancouver, BC. Iuliia shares how her passion for mathematics and economics first sparked her interest in finance, leading her to successfully navigate a major international move alone and quickly build a competitive career foundation. This episode covers: From Olympiads to Investing: How Iuliia's early passion for math and economics competitions quickly translated into real-world trading and investment analysis. The Power of Adversity: Why moving alone to Canada at a young age was her biggest struggle and how that experience built the mental maturity and independence essential for success in finance. SFU Case Competitions: How she used global case competitions (like an M&A challenge) and student associations to gain practical skills far beyond the classroom. Life in Private Equity: Insights from her internship at Alpine Vista's Capital, including the challenge of performing deep industry research in niche sectors (and how to find hidden data). The Value of Community: Her experience in the RBC Women in Investment Management Mentorship Program and why learning how to network and build genuine relationships is crucial for career growth. The BEAM Fund Experience: How her role as an Equity Analyst in a student-led, multi-million dollar fund provides hands-on, high-level experience in equity research, portfolio management, and investment strategy. Iuliia's intentional approach to skill-stacking (including multiple CFI certifications) provides a compelling roadmap for any aspiring finance professional.
