Kourtney Gibson is President of Chicago-based Loop Capital Markets, one of the largest privately-held investment banks in the country. After joining the company as an intern more than 20 years ago, she has held various roles at the firm, including spearheading its global equity division for more than a decade.

She is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago and sits on the board of trustees of the University of Miami and Viterbo University as well on the board of Lululemon Athletica Inc., the MarketAxess Corporation, Dibia Dream Foundation and the Chicago Scholar’s Foundation. She is a frequent network contributor who provides commentary on market trends and events and is a trailblazer for women and minorities both in finance and more broadly.

Our conversation traces how Kourtney rose through the ranks of Loop Capital and the values that have always grounded her. We speak about sponsorship, why it matters so deeply, the importance of competing on a level playing field, and what she brings to her Board Roles as a female, an African American and a millennial. She shares her views as to how we can effect real progress on these metrics and continue to shape the conversation.