Jessica Mitchell
Investment Associate
Calgary Foundation
Institutional Connect is pleased to feature a speaker spotlight with Jessica Mitchell, Investment Associate at the Calgary Foundation. In this interview, Jessica discusses her current role and responsibilities at the Calgary Foundation, and shares her journey transitioning from a back-office role into a more investment-focused position. She reflects on what motivated the career pivot, how she assessed the right timing, and the core competencies that proved essential when stepping into a role outside her original background. The conversation also highlights practical advice for young professionals with three to five years of industry experience who are navigating career transitions and seeking to build long-term growth in the investment field.
Jessica Mitchell: Calgary Foundation supports our local charitable community through its $1.5 billion endowment, funding everything from small community gardens to multimillion-dollar affordable housing projects. Over the past 70 years, it has granted more than $1 billion to the community.
As an Investment Associate, I help manage the Endowment Portfolio and support the day-to-day operations of the Investment Team. My responsibilities include monitoring investment performance, conducting research to inform asset allocation and manager selection, and assisting with risk management initiatives such as ESG and DEI analysis. Ultimately, my role ensures the Foundation’s investments are managed effectively to support our mission of addressing the current and future needs of people in our community.
Jessica Mitchell: Working in compliance gave me a strong foundation in regulatory frameworks and operational integrity, but I wanted a more generalist role that involved research and asset allocation strategy. The timing felt right when I realized I had developed transferable skills such as experience with legal documents, analytical thinking, and relationship management that could add value in an investment role.
Making the pivot was about aligning my career with my interests in research and strategy, as well as the opportunity to contribute to the Foundation’s impact in the community.
Jessica Mitchell: Adaptability is essential. You need to learn quickly and adjust to a new environment. Attention to detail goes a long way, as it demonstrates your knowledge and builds credibility. Finally, problem-solving is key: anticipating your team’s needs and issues, and either presenting or contributing to solutions, can elevate your status as a team player.
