Laura Lutton\u2019s career path took her from community newspapers to leading research on complex investment funds, highlighting the value of both curiosity and adaptability when forging a career in financial services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the global head of manager research at Morningstar, she helps financial advisors better understand and compare investment products. In recent years, that means evaluating portfolios that combine public and private companies. These types of funds have increased in number as more advisors seek easier access to private investments<\/a> that offer greater liquidity and often lower minimums than traditional private market stakes when building client portfolios; however, they can be complex and at times confusing for investors. Financial advisors utilize Lutton\u2019s work to understand and assess the merits of the often-opaque products.<\/p>\n Lutton began her career as a journalist, earning a master\u2019s degree from Northwestern University. She worked as a reporter for a community newspaper in Chicago and later as the Midwest bureau chief for American Banker magazine. Her ability to analyze data and draw evidence-based conclusions made her a natural fit for Chicago-based Morningstar\u2019s newly created equity research team, where she began covering bank stocks. \u201cThere is a lot of data involved [in reporting], and drawing conclusions based on evidence and new information,\u201d she said. \u201cEquity research is very similar.\u201d<\/p>\n