Equipped with a math degree and a banking background, Ann Holcomb, CFA and Portfolio Manager, was looking for an employer that would provide opportunities for advancement. She also hoped to join a company with an outstanding reputation for serving clients and treating its employees well. During the past 22 years, she has found that at T. Rowe Price.

“I am fortunate to work with some of the smartest people I know in an environment that is supportive and fulfilling," she says. “Over the years, I have found support through mentors who have challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and tackle new challenges."

One such challenge happened in 2007 when Holcomb presented and participated in panel discussions at a conference in Switzerland. “It was a source of great pride to represent the firm, and our strategy, at a global conference," she recalls. “But because I don't speak German or French, I didn't know how the other speakers were answering questions. Which meant that when it was my turn, I didn't know if my views would repeat, or contradict, what had just been said. So I simply presented my views with conviction, and they were well received."

Holcomb remembers another pivotal career challenge when she traveled to China in 2009 to meet with Chinese investment organizations as well as a client. “The participants asked questions about stocks in almost every sector— coal, U.S. politics, and the U.S. economy," she says. “It felt like I was taking a final exam in which I could be asked questions about anything from the prior year. But the meeting participants were gracious and grateful for the insights I provided. I was honored to represent T. Rowe Price in a way I hadn't before – and visit China for the first time."

Throughout her tenure, Holcomb has observed senior management's focus on work culture and associates. “This culture is manifested in our dedication to putting the interests of our clients first and representing them in the most ethically responsible way," she says. In her experience, working at T. Rowe Price is a meritocracy, and the firm's continued initiatives and benefits for employee well-being show the company cares about the whole person.

With two decades at the firm, Holcomb has witnessed the company stay agile as times change. “What's more, I've seen how patience, perseverance, and the courage to have a different view can be handsomely rewarded." As she's watched T. Rowe Price navigate all types of markets and changing industry trends, she's learned that it's possible to adapt to a changing industry without losing your own identity.