Vaughn Merrow
Vaughn Merrow joined Keystone Venture Trust Inc. in 2023 as a Portfolio Manager. She
earned a bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development at Boston College
(with a minor in Irish Studies), and later an MBA in Finance from the University of
Chicago’s Booth School of Business, further sharpening her financial and portfolio
management expertise. Vaughn skillfully combines her psychology background with
financial acumen, allowing her to understand investor behavior and client needs and to
integrate both emotional and rational factors into her investment decisions.
Prior to Keystone, Vaughn spent five years in the Human Resources department of
WinnCompanies, a leading residential property management firm, where she served as
Benefits Manager. In that role she led a major overhaul of the company’s benefits
program, optimizing processes and plan design to deliver tangible improvements for
hundreds of employees – an initiative that earned industry recognition. This experience
gave her valuable project management and cross-functional leadership skills and a deep
appreciation for how effective people and benefits management contribute to long-term
organizational success. Inspired by a growing interest in finance, Vaughn then
transitioned into asset management, applying her insights into human nature to
investment advisory work.
At Keystone, Vaughn is responsible for designing and managing multi-strategy
investment portfolios for institutional and high-net-worth clients. As a portfolio
manager, she devises and implements investment strategies that align with client goals
and risk constraints, while rigorously controlling risk and responding to market
developments. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, reflecting
the rigorous standards of training and ethics in the investment management profession.
Vaughn is known for her analytical rigor and attentive communication, balancing
data-driven analysis with empathy for client perspectives. She has spoken at industry
conferences on topics such as behavioral finance and employee wellness and has
participated in multiple professional development programs. In addition, Vaughn is
actively engaged in community initiatives, volunteering her expertise to organizations
focused on women’s economic empowerment. Her international education and multicultural
background give her a global perspective, helping her better understand the needs and
values of diverse client communities.