Inspired by Family, Driven by Growth: Emily shares the early lessons and hard work that paved her path to CIO Gilder Office for Growth, LLC
Emily Wood’s career is a testament to hard work, continuous learning, and the power of education. With a deep-rooted passion for financial education, Emily has forged a path from her early days helping individuals understand 401(k)s to becoming a key player in the family office sector. In this spotlight, Emily shares the influences of her upbringing, the trends she’s excited about, and the balance she strives for in both her professional and personal life.
What was your first job?
Emily’s first job after college was with a retail broker, helping individuals sign up for their 401(k) plans. “Many people didn’t understand what a 401(k) was,” she recalls. “I loved breaking down the jargon and giving them the confidence to make informed financial decisions.” While she quickly realized that being a broker wasn’t for her, the experience sparked a passion for investments and financial education.
Tell us a little bit about your current job and how you got there.
“I knew what I wanted to do, and I had spent years preparing myself for the right opportunity,” Emily reflects. After seven years at a fund of funds, she took the next step by joining Oklahoma State University’s endowment to help build out its private portfolio. “It was an amazing opportunity being entrusted with such great responsibility in my early thirties.” When family circumstances brought her back to Raleigh, she leveraged her CFA, MBA, and experience to secure her current role at a family office, Gilder Office for Growth, LLC. “When the opportunity came, I was ready.”
You mentioned that your mother and grandmother were trailblazers. Can you share a bit more about the paths they forged and how their influence shaped your own career journey?
“The older you get, the more perspective you gain on the sacrifices your parents made to give you opportunities they never had,” Emily reflects. Much of her drive comes from the trailblazing examples set by her mother and grandmothers. Her mother, now 77, was the first in her family to earn a college degree, instilling in Emily the value of education—not for wealth, but for the confidence and choices it provides. “That’s something no one can ever take away from you,” Emily shares. While her mother’s career options were limited, Emily grew up believing she could be anything, a freedom shaped by the education her family worked hard to provide.
What’s one misconception about the CIO role that you wish more people understood?
“It’s really about understanding client needs, balancing risks, and managing relationships.” As a CIO, she emphasizes that aligning investments with the goals and risk tolerances of clients—whether endowments, family offices, or foundations—is key. “It’s not just about whether a deal is good, but about understanding the bigger picture,” she adds.
What sectors or trends are you particularly interested in today?
“There’s always something new to learn and a different way to invest,” says Emily, and right now, she’s particularly excited about emerging opportunities in real estate, biotech, and global markets. She sees potential in undervalued real estate assets, especially those impacted by debt extensions, and believes biotech, which has been in a trough, offers exciting prospects for growth. “There could be some really good assets to pick up in real estate,” she notes. Emily is also focused on the growing strength of European markets, which have recently outperformed the U.S. “There’s a lot of dispersion among geographical regions and industries, making this a great environment for active management,” she adds.
What’s the most unexpected place or situation where you’ve made a business connection?
“On an airplane…I’m always surprised who I end up sitting next to.” While she admits to usually putting on her headphones and reading a book, she’s learned that intriguing conversations can arise when least expected. “You’ll be sitting there, and someone will comment on your book or strike up a conversation, and you never know where it might lead.”
Do you have a favorite quote or mantra that keeps you motivated?
“Hard work wins.” “Some people are just naturally gifted, and you admire that,” she adds. For Emily, it’s the relentless commitment to learning, growing, and pushing herself forward that has been a key driver in her success.
Finally, what do you enjoy doing that has nothing to do with work?
“Running is my way to unwind,” Emily shares, describing how she loves to jog to disconnect from the constant buzz of her phone and the world of finance. With a three-and-a-half-year-old and a high-demand job, she finds it important to carve out moments for herself. “It’s the one time I can’t look at my phone or text, or I’ll fall,” she laughs.
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