As part of our celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, 100 Women in Finance is spotlighting members whose career trajectories have been uniquely shaped by their experiences and whose leadership is making a lasting impact in the finance industry. By amplifying their voices and sharing their stories, we aim to inspire action and advance greater visibility for women in finance.
Paige C. Scott is one such leader. In her professional role as a Senior Partner and Leader of the Asset Management Practice at Kingsley Gate, and her 100WF volunteer role as Global Council Chair and Global Angel supporter, Paige has navigated a dynamic career in executive search while championing mentorship and professional development. In this Q&A, Paige shares the key influences that have shaped her leadership style, the impact of mentorship, and the value of building a strong professional network.
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Who is a woman—historical or contemporary—who has influenced your career or leadership style, and why?
My most influential female in my life who has influenced the person I am today personally and professionally is my mother! I grew up with four siblings and my mother raised us as a single mom in the 70’s and 80’s when that was less common than it is today. Her determination, drive and work ethic to ensure we had a warm, loving and safe home is nothing short of inspiring. She was BRILLIANT with people. Which is clearly how I gravitate to a career working intensely with people.
How has access to mentorship and professional development shaped your career in finance? Can you share a specific moment when learning from others helped you grow?
I have had both male and female mentors in my career…and I feel fortunate to have both. I will never forget my female mentor taking me aside early in my career and encouraging me to hire a coach. My mentor told me I had a great career ahead of me, but that I needed to work on how others perceived me. Doing the work and hiring a coach changed my life and my career.
Networking is a powerful tool in advancing careers. How has 100 Women in Finance helped you build meaningful connections, and what advice would you give to others on leveraging their network effectively?
I attended a 100WF Early Career New York event on March 12 and discussed this very topic. Getting involved in professional organizations greatly leverages and optimizes your visibility, your network and your ability to learn from others how to approach different challenges and opportunities in a way you simply can’t do without that support, wisdom and community. I have essentially formed my own personal “board of directors” through the relationships I have developed through professional organizations like 100WF. Career advice, personal advice, networking, problem solving … the benefits are endless, but you MUST put in the time with these organizations and relationships to achieve mutual benefit.
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Paige’s career journey underscores the importance of perseverance, strategic connections, and investing in continuous growth. Her insights serve as a reminder that success is not just about individual achievement but also about lifting others along the way. Through her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to 100 Women in Finance, she exemplifies the spirit of community and progress that drives our mission forward.
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About Paige C. Scott
Paige C. Scott is a Senior Partner and Leader of the Asset Management Practice with Kingsley Gate.
She was most recently Managing Director and Head of the U.S. Asset Management Practice and member of the U.S. Executive Committee of a global Financial Services retained search firm. Over a career that spans two decades in executive search, Paige played a leading role in the build-out of Sextant Search Partners’ U.S. Asset Management Practice and served as a Senior Client Partner with Korn/Ferry International’s Asset Management Practice. She infuses this experience with our state of the art scientific, cloud-based tools to assess candidates, ensuring that executives placed with our clients reflect a holistic and ideal fit.
Paige has placed investment professionals spanning CEO’s, CIO’s, PM’s, Senior Analysts (multiple asset classes—both public and private), Heads of Distribution/Fundraising across institutional, retirement, sub-advisory and intermediary channels, Strategic & digital marketing experts, and solutions and product experts in North America. She utilizes relevant data from hundreds of these searches to ensure a successful, long-term outcome. She is considered a thought leader on topics such as compensation structure and design and is a regular speaker at the European Institutional Investor Institute, The European Institute, The Institutional Investor Institute (U.S.), The Alternative Institutional Investor Institute (U.S.), The Fixed Income Forum, The Chief Marketing Officer (CMI) Institute, The Investment Product Institute, and the USI, CEO Forum.
Paige earned a bachelor’s degree in French Literature from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts. She most recently served as a Board Member of the Community Foundation of San Carlos and as the Audit Chair of the San Carlos Educational Foundation (SCEF). She is an organizing member of 100 Women in Finance, Boston, and serves as Chair of the Global Council and was a Founding Member Chief in San Francisco.
Paige is based out of the San Francisco Kingsley Gate location.
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