SEEMA ACKERMAN believes in the personal power and freedom that comes from being financially educated. As a Managing Director at BlackRock, an Investment Management Company, she’s worked with clients in every aspect of the investment community—“from family clients to institutions, and has advised on investments across the risk and liquidity spectrum.” Ackerman’s BS in Finance, and minor in Technology and Management from the University of Illinois Business School; and MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management make her more than qualified. With 18 years of experience under her belt, she’ll never forget how she got started: “I definitely talked my way into getting my first job out of college. I pushed my resume through and in the interview I told the hiring partner, ‘As long as we’re working 80 hours a week, would you rather work with me or some nerd?’ Turns out my joke was enough to get me the job!” She brings that same lightheartedness to her current role. “My business style is approachable and honest,” she says. “I like to really get to know people on a personal level. Tell me everything about you—I want to know what you had for breakfast this morning, how you met your spouse, and your most embarrassing moment when you were a kid.” Ackerman’s personal style is just another element that makes her stand out, which consists of “a fancy T-shirt (and often not so fancy) tucked into a pencil skirt, and lots of jewelry because jewelry always fits right!” She considers her role model “anyone who is self-made, disciplined, and had to hustle hard to get where they are.” She certainly walks the talk.

Seema Ackerman is with BlackRock located at 227 W. Monroe Street in Chicago. For more information, call 773-590-1355 or visit blackrock.com.