The Investor With Joel Palathinkal

The Investor with Joel Palathinkal is a global omni channel show which highlights institutional investors from all walks of life and supports the continuing education for the next generation of allocators

Sasha Datta: GE Vernova

S1 E136 • Aug 7, 2025 • 68 mins

In this episode, Sasha Datta from GE Vernova joins Joel Palathinkal to discuss her journey from a personal background to a successful career in finance. Sasha shares insights into balancing personal life with a demanding career and her experiences during the financial crisis while at EY and GM. She talks about overcoming personal challenges, her return to GE, and her roles in cash and risk management at GE Capital Americas and Synchrony Financial. The conversation delves into GE's corporate culture, the significance of honesty and empathy in venture-backed companies, and strategies for handling conflicts. Sasha also discusses GE Vernova's formation, risk management, M&A advice, pension fund management, and the importance of continuous learning.

Key Points

Sasha Dutta's career journey highlights the importance of cultural alignment, humility, and continuous learning in driving successful corporate integration and personal growth.
Effective fund management in pension plans involves balancing growth and liability-driven investments, with a focus on achieving full funding and minimizing company risk.
Building strong relationships, maintaining honesty, and demonstrating a consistent ability to get things done are crucial for professional success and reputation in the corporate world.

Speakers

Sasha Datta

Guest • 84%

Joel Palathinkal

Guest • 16%

Chapters

0:00	Introduction to Sasha Dutta and personal background
2:29	Sasha's career journey and transition to finance
11:09	Balancing personal life with a career in finance
12:00	Insights into the financial crisis and roles at EY and GM
14:37	Overcoming personal challenges and returning to GE
15:18	Cash and risk management at GE Capital Americas and Synchrony Financial
21:19	GE's corporate culture, values, and kindness in the workplace
25:34	Venture-backed companies and the importance of honesty and empathy
29:00	Handling conflicts and personal motivations at GE
30:48	GE Vernova's formation and treasurer fundamentals
35:11	Risk and cash management strategies at GE Capital
43:14	M&A advice and integration challenges
50:14	Strategies for divesting assets and asset allocation advice
53:36	Pension fund management and evaluating fund managers
57:04	Roles in pension management and handling illiquid investments
1:00:17	Efficient use of excess pension funds and career advice
1:04:36	Overcoming challenges and the importance of continuous learning

Transcript

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