Jane Dabney WG'02

Email: Feel free to contact Jane Dabney at jdabney@jefferies.com.

What did you study at Penn and when did you graduate? Where do you work now?

I graduated from the Wharton MBA program in 2002. I am a Managing Director and COO for the Energy and Power Group at Jefferies..

What was your favorite part of getting your master’s at Wharton?

One of my favorite parts of my time at Wharton was working with my learning team. (For the undergrads who may not know, a learning team comprises 5 or 6 MBA students.) I enjoyed having a core group of people I could rely on for exchanging ideas, collaborative work on projects, and of course, close friendships. While I don’t see them much now, I always consider them close friends. Additionally, I really enjoyed being a leadership fellow during my second year, where I had the opportunity to work with the first-year learning teams. I enjoyed mentoring and helping guide them through their first year of MBA school.

What has been the greatest challenge of your career?

The greatest challenge of my career was balancing being a mother and having a career in banking. I started graduate school when my son was about eighteen months old. Juggling school and family was workable, but I then went on to do investment banking, which involves long hours. So the early stages were the most difficult trying to be a mom, a wife, and an employee. There were good days and some bad ones, but the hard work paid off after the early years. Once I made it to a level that afforded some flexibility, I could better make and be a part of all of the big (and small) moments in my children’s lives.

What advice would you give to someone as they begin looking into careers and other internships?

It is essential to feel good about the people you'll be working with and whether you will like the people on a team. People play a huge role in team culture, influencing your work satisfaction and happiness. Groups I trusted and got along well with created the best atmosphere to learn and grow. I was a career switcher and was so appreciative to have mentors and people I could go to for advice. I think it's important not to get too caught up in a bank's brand name but rather focus on the learning opportunity and whether you'll surround yourself with people who want to contribute to your development and a positive environment.

What has been your proudest accomplishment of your career?

One of my proudest accomplishments has been my promotion to Managing Director. Sadly, Energy does not have many senior women in investment banking, so I am grateful to be one of the few. Another fun memory had to do with an IPO on which I worked. Teams often have happy moments when deals close, but I'll never forget being invited by a client to go to the NYSE and experience the opening bell ceremony. I'm most proud of seeing the people I mentor excel. Whether it's young bankers who have moved up in their careers or gone on to attain their MBAs, those mentee successes are my favorite accomplishments. I am proud to help others achieve their goals and enjoy paying it forward after having so many mentors in my own life.

What’s your favorite place you have traveled to?

I love to travel. I really enjoy traveling, and I have been to many interesting places, but Marrakech, Morocco, is high on the fave list. It is one of the unique places I have ever visited.

What is one problem, issue, or idea that you think more people should know about?

One problem that needs more attention is mental health. Mental health came to the forefront during the pandemic, and with work, volunteer work, sitting on the board of my daughter's school, and helping friends whose children are struggling or have lost the struggle, I have seen mental health issues firsthand. After seeing kids forced to isolate themselves in their homes to do school on zoom, work long hours at the office, or simply socially distance themselves from others, I've noticed how easy it is not to realize what people could be going through when they are by themselves. I'm glad to see that the news is starting to report on issues, even as far as the Olympics; anyone can be struggling with their mental health, even the biggest superstars. I believe it is crucial to continue the discussion on mental health and help end its stigma. I think we all can make a more considerable effort to educate ourselves on the importance of mental health.