Steering Committee
InterInvest’s steering committee is made up of volunteers from various investment firms. The committee provides strategic direction for the organisation, and drives specific projects focused on achieving our key objectives.
Cathy Denyer O'Leary
Cathy is a founding member and Chair of InterInvest, and a Senior Operations Manager with Vanguard Asset Management. She has 15 years’ experience in the industry and has held previous roles with Fidelity and Invesco. Cathy chairs Vanguard’s European LGBT+ network, OPEN, and launched their Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Vanguard takes an active role in inclusion initiatives in the industry and is a member of the Diversity Project, where Cathy is part of the LGBT+ workstream. Cathy is originally from Cork, Ireland, holds a degree and Masters in Economics from University College Cork and is studying for a PhD focusing on culture in the workplace. She lives in Hove with her wife Lucy and her second great love is red wine.
Deon Pillay
Deon is a founding member and Co-Chair of InterInvest, and Head of Fund Reporting and Regulatory change at Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM). Deon has 15 years’ experience in the industry. Prior to LGIM he held various client-focused roles at Barclays Private Wealth. Deon chairs LGIM’s LGBT+ Allies network, and is an LGBT Great role model and the winner of their inaugural award for driving LGBT inclusion in the industry. Originally from South Africa, Deon holds an Electronics Engineering qualification form FET South Africa. He is a mentor, life coach and NLP practitioner, and a keen foodie and food blogger. Deon lives in London and currently has a vacancy for a husband.
Tristan Davies
Tristan is a Senior Business Analyst within Business Management at Capital Group, the world’s largest active investor. He is a global co-lead for ‘CG Pride’, Capital Group’s community for LGBTQ+ associates and allies, and sits on the Capital Group Europe & Asia Client Group Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee.
Tristan is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the asset management industry and works to create an informed, supportive and diverse environment where people feel valued and psychologically safe. He oversees the work of the CG Pride community across Capital Group’s global offices, with a particular focus on Europe & Asia, using locally-sensitive approaches to make a meaningful impact in each office.
Outside asset management, Tristan works with the Royal Academy of Dance, in collaboration with the London Women’s Forum, in promoting dialogue on Diversity & Inclusion between the worlds of dance and business. He also provides coaching and support to newly qualified teachers through the charity TeachFirst.
Tristan has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics & Music from University of Birmingham and a Master’s degree in Finance & Accounting from Kingston Business School. He is based in London.
Suzanne Whitlock
Suzanne is Marketing lead on the InterInvest Steerco, and Head of Digital at Royal London Asset Management. Suzanne has over 25 years experience in the investment management industry. She was head of marketing projects at Legal & General Investment Management for six years where she was an ally and marketing lead for the L&GBT+ Allies network, and initiated L&G’s first Pride logo. Prior to that, she led the digital marketing function at GAM. Suzanne is a long-time ally to the LGBTQ+ community and believes allies as well as role models are vital in driving diversity and inclusion. Suzanne holds a degree in Philosophy and Sociology, and a post-grad in Journalism. She lives in London.
Julie Dickson
Julie Dickson is an investment director at Capital Group. She has 29 years of investment industry experience and has been with Capital Group for seven years. Prior to joining Capital, Julie worked as the head of client portfolio management at Ashmore Group. Before that, she was the head of client portfolio management at Aviva Investors. She also held various positions at Axa Rosenberg, Mellon Global Investments, Barclays Global Investors and Merrill Lynch. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with concentration in finance from Cornell University. She also holds both the Investment Management Certificate and the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. Julie is based in London.
Salman Ali
Sal is the Chair of the D&I Belonging Sub Committee and an active member of the organization’s D&I Steering Committee. Sal has successfully designed events, including Pride in London 2022 and awareness surrounding International Women’s Day. Sal informally reverse mentors a board member on LGBTQ+ issues and has created an open dialogue to discuss and promote LGBT diversity and inclusion with Executive Committee Members under the overall D&I Steering strategy”.
Alison Proud
Alison Proud is DEI Manager at global investment firm Cambridge Associates, where she leads on DEI work for their EMEA and APAC offices. A Londoner born and raised, she is passionate about diversity and the role of authenticity in unlocking potential. She has a background in supporting Executive Offices, as well as extensive volunteering and coaching experience. Alison is bisexual and celebrates the capacity of the bi+ community to experience love and attraction beyond gender.