‘Sneak Peek’ at the Future

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Have you faced professional hurdles because you’re a woman?

Fortunately, I never felt that way.

Why are there so few women heading local financial institutions?

I don’t think it’s unique to the finance industry. I see it across the board. Women are only about 15 percent of C-level executives in the United States. I would like to believe that if a woman has talent and ambition, she could ascend to leadership if she wanted. That said, it’s a numbers game and not many women choose to pursue those jobs.

What are your responsibilities?

I participate in meetings of the investment committee at GRP, a venture capital firm, interact with investors who have committed $700 million to our company, and sit on boards of portfolio companies. Finances take up a fair amount of my time, but what makes it interesting is the deal-related stuff.

What do you like best about your job?

The venture capital industry. When you look at the rate at which new technologies are created and new companies formed, we see a lot of those deals in Los Angeles. To get a sneak peek at what’s coming in the future and help entrepreneurs realize their dreams is exciting.

What made you want to work in this industry?

I tend to be an analytic, left-brained person, so the type of work suits me. I got this job because before I went to graduate school, I worked in investment banking and formed relationships with the partners who later founded GRP.

Any advice for women going into this industry?

When you’re young, work hard, explore your options and take chances. Those things only get harder as you get older.

If I hadn’t gone into finance …

My family owned a small veterinary pharmaceutical manufacturing business, and I thought it might be interesting. But there was already plenty of family working there, so when I decided against it there was a sense of relief that one more wasn’t coming on board.

What is your ultimate career goal?

Eight years ago someone asked me and I said, “Become a CFO.” So I think I’ve achieved it.

What do you do for fun?

Fun these days is time with the family – my husband and sons, ages 2 and 4. We go to the beach, ride bikes and travel.

Something your colleagues don’t know about you?

They don’t realize how competitive I am. At least they didn’t until I smoked them on the track at go-kart racing. It was one of those team-building events at a speedway in Torrance. I was in third place when the two guys in front of me crashed into each other. I swerved around them and won the race.

DANA KIBLER, 39

Chief Financial Officer

GRP Partners, Century City

RESIDENCE: Hancock Park

EDUCATION: B.S., finance, University of Arizona; M.B.A., UCLA

YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 15

YEARS IN POSITION: 4

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