Podcast Summary: The Investor with Joel Palathinkal – Episode Featuring Sasha Datta of GE Vernova

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Investor With Joel Palathinkal
• Host: Dr. Joel Palathinkal
• Episode: Sasha Datta: GE Vernova
• Release Date: August 7, 2025
• Description: A global omni-channel show highlighting institutional investors from diverse backgrounds, supporting the education of the next generation of allocators.

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Investor with Joel Palathinkal, Dr. Joel Palathinkal interviews Sasha Datta, the Senior Director of Pension and Retirement Solutions at GE Vernova's Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans. The conversation delves into Sasha's extensive career in institutional investment, her strategic roles at various high-profile companies, and her insights on fund management, risk management, and cash management within large conglomerates like GE.

Early Life and Education

Sasha opens up about her upbringing in India, splitting her time between Calcutta and New Delhi. Born into a family with a strong professional background—her mother’s side involved in law and her father’s in engineering and management—she was initially expected to follow a traditional engineering path. However, not gaining admission to IIT opened avenues for her broader interests in understanding how large corporations operate and their societal impacts.

[02:29] "I was always curious how a company works, how they can really weave their effect into the fabrics of society."

Choosing to pursue an undergraduate degree in the US, Sasha attended Salem College in North Carolina on a scholarship, majoring in mathematics with additional studies in economics. Her academic excellence led her to secure a position at Morgan Stanley in the fixed income area, marking the beginning of her illustrious career in finance and institutional investment.

Career Journey

Sasha's career trajectory is marked by strategic roles in various organizations:

• Morgan Stanley: Worked in the fixed income area, honing her analytical skills.
• MCI Telecommunications: Served as a corporate analyst during a tumultuous period in the telecommunications industry.
• Teleglobe: Progressed to a product pricing manager and eventually director, showcasing her leadership capabilities.
• General Electric (GE): Joined GE Global Exchange Services as a Senior Director of Finance, later transitioning to GE Medical and ultimately to GE Vernova.

Her tenure at GE is distinguished by her ability to navigate corporate restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of industry upheavals.

[05:23] "I became an honor student in mathematics but also wanted to see how economics works."

Roles at GE Vernova

At GE Vernova, Sasha plays a pivotal role in managing pension and retirement solutions. She oversees the segregation of cash management, risk management, and fund management, ensuring that GE Vernova's pension funds are aligned with the company’s strategic goals.

Fund Management

Sasha emphasizes the importance of aligning fund management with the organization's objective of becoming fully funded. She discusses the balance between liability-driven investments (LDI) and growth portfolios, aiming for higher returns while managing risks to achieve the fully funded status within a predictable timeframe.

[53:22] "Our goal is to be fully funded so the company does not have to put in too much money."

Risk Management

Delving into risk management, Sasha highlights the necessity of understanding both qualitative and quantitative aspects of risk. She discusses the development and enforcement of risk assessment systems, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an optimal risk appetite to safeguard the company's financial health.

[35:01] "The biggest thing that we also have to understand is the risk management factor."

Cash Management

Sasha outlines strategies for effective cash management, differentiating between short-term, medium-term, and long-term liquidity needs. She explains how GE ensures sufficient liquidity for operational funding and large projects, utilizing statistical analyses and proactive planning to maintain financial stability.

[34:17] "Your cash management is your short term, medium term and long term cash management requirements."

M&A Insights

Discussing mergers and acquisitions, Sasha provides valuable advice for professionals involved in corporate strategy and M&A processes:

• Cultural Alignment: She stresses the importance of cultural fit when acquiring companies to ensure smooth integration and retention of key personnel.
• Process Integration: Sasha emphasizes the necessity of aligning processes, IT systems, and financial structures to facilitate seamless operational mergers.
• Financial Due Diligence: Conducting thorough financial analyses, including discounted cash flows and market comparables, is crucial for accurate valuation and strategic decision-making.

[46:32] "Culture of a company precedes it. Your character will always precede you."

Advice for Allocators and Fund Managers

Sasha offers insightful advice tailored to allocators and fund managers transitioning to managing institutional funds:

• For Allocators: Focus on achieving a fully funded status by balancing LDI and growth portfolios, and rigorously evaluate fund managers based on returns, Sharpe ratios, and reputation.
• For Fund Managers: Develop a robust scorecard to assess performance metrics such as lifetime returns and investment churn rates. Building a solid reputation and demonstrating consistent performance are critical for securing institutional investments.

[53:46] "Look at the managers where some of the things if you don't do it in public and do it in private, it's best."

Personal Insights and Life Lessons

Sasha candidly shares how personal experiences, such as caring for her ill parents, have shaped her career decisions. Her resilience in balancing demanding roles with personal responsibilities underscores the importance of empathy, honesty, and continuous self-improvement.

[61:33] "My brand that I get known as is I get it done. I cut through the bureaucracy."

She highlights the significance of maintaining a personal brand characterized by reliability and integrity, emphasizing that character precedes reputation in professional settings.

Conclusion and Final Wisdom

As the conversation wraps up, Sasha imparts valuable wisdom:

• Be Proactive and Honest: Always strive to get things done efficiently while maintaining honesty in all professional dealings.
• Embrace Positivity: Maintain a positive outlook, believing that challenges can be overcome with perseverance and strategic thinking.
• Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education and curiosity to adapt to evolving industry landscapes.

[64:01] "Use this money, make it a hybrid environment, change the whole structure, make a hybrid and then use your 401k."

Sasha’s pragmatic approach and seasoned advice provide profound insights for both aspiring and established professionals in the field of institutional investment and corporate finance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sasha Datta [02:29]: "I was always curious how a company works, how they can really weave their effect into the fabrics of society."
• Joel Palathinkal [05:23]: "I became an honor student in mathematics but also wanted to see how economics works."
• Sasha Datta [05:22]: "Got me a job at Morgan Stanley in the fixed income area. It was intellectually great."
• Sasha Datta [19:03]: "I do a lot of good work in the cash management area. There was a lot of problem."
• Sasha Datta [35:01]: "The biggest thing that we also have to understand is the risk management factor."
• Sasha Datta [53:22]: "Our goal is to be fully funded so the company does not have to put in too much money."
• Sasha Datta [46:32]: "Culture of a company precedes it. Your character will always precede you."
• Sasha Datta [61:33]: "My brand that I get known as is I get it done. I cut through the bureaucracy."
• Sasha Datta [64:01]: "Use this money, make it a hybrid environment, change the whole structure, make a hybrid and then use your 401k."

Sasha Datta's comprehensive discussion offers listeners invaluable perspectives on managing large-scale pension funds, navigating corporate mergers and acquisitions, and building a resilient and adaptable career in institutional investment. Her blend of professional expertise and personal integrity serves as an inspiring blueprint for emerging leaders in the financial sector.