Episode summary
Depth Over Breadth: Inside The Next Collective
Dakota Live!
· · 1 hr · Hosts: Robert Morier · Guests: Jin Dingmore, Miriam Sanders, Katie Peykar, Cristina Nuñez
Summary
The conversation centers on The Next Collective, a small women’s network formed by investment professionals who wanted a more intimate alternative to large, transactional conferences. The panelists describe how the group began with a loose idea about filling a gap for women in the same career stage, then grew into retreats and dinners where people can talk candidly about work, family, and the pressures of being in their 30s and 40s. They argue that the real value comes from trust, curation, and depth rather than maximizing the number of contacts.
A recurring theme is that networking works better when it feels human and selective. The panelists say the group’s setting helps people lower their guard, share vulnerabilities, and make introductions that lead to real business outcomes without a formal pitch. They contrast that with conferences, which can feel exhausting, surface-level, and inefficient unless you already know people. They also stress that their stage of life requires deliberate prioritization, self-care, and grace, especially for women balancing demanding careers with family obligations.
The episode closes on a longer-term thesis: relationships built now may pay off for years, whether through referrals, advice, or future career opportunities. The panelists see the group as a way to help women advance, stay in the industry, and model a more sustainable version of success.
Key takeaways
- The Next Collective was created to fill a gap for women at the same career stage who wanted more than senior-level networking events.
- The panelists say the group succeeds because it is intentionally small, curated, and built around trust rather than transactions.
- Several participants said the dinners and retreats have already produced real business conversations and referrals, not just social connections.
- The group argues that in a busy life stage, networking should be depth over breadth, not a race to collect contacts.
- The panelists frame work-life balance as unrealistic shorthand and prefer a model of prioritization, grace, and choosing what matters most.
Notable quotes
“it was just like we even at the time when we couldn't articulate it, like we we knew it was a gap and we knew it'd be really valuable for us”
“why networking gets harder specifically in this phase”
“the thesis is loose, but I think it was just like we even at the time when we couldn't articulate it”
“For me, the lesson is on the networking side, it's depth over breath”
“your 80% is going to be better than the average person's 100%”
How the episode opens
Welcome to the Dakota Life Podcast.
I'm your host, Robert Morier. The goal of this podcast is to help you better know the people behind investment decisions. We introduce you to chief investment officers, manager research professionals, and other industry leaders to help you sell in between the lines and better understand the investment sales ecosystem.
If you're not familiar with Dakota and our Dakota Life content, please visit our website at dakota.com. Before we get started, I need to read a brief disclosure. This content is provided for informational purposes and should not be relied upon as recommendations or advice about investing in securities.
All investments involve risk and may lose money. Dakota does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the information provided by the speaker, who is not affiliated with Dakota. Not a solicitation, testimonial, or endorsement by Dakota or its affiliates.
Nothing herein is intended to indicate approval, support, or recommendation of the investment advisor or its supervised persons by Dakota. Today's episode is brought to you by Dakota Marketplace. Are you tired of constantly jumping between multiple databases and channels to find the right investment opportunities?
Introducing Dakota Marketplace, the comprehensive institutional and intermediary database built by fundraisers for fundraisers. With Dakota Marketplace, you'll have access to all channels and asset classes in one place, saving you time and streamlining your fundraising process. Say goodbye to the frustration of searching through multiple databases and say hello to a seamless and efficient fundraising experience.
Sign up now and see the difference Dakota Marketplace can make for you. Visit dakotamarketplace.com today. Today's episode is about networking, specifically one networking group, The Next Collective.
It's also a little different because I'm going to be sitting on the sidelines. We're going to get to watch this networking group in action, behind the scenes, hearing from industry professionals about what they talk about when they're building relationships and building their networks.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- women in investing
- networking and trust
- work life balance
- ai commoditization
- career depth over breadth
Companies and tickers mentioned
- Baylor University Office of Investments
- Sands Capital
- Torch Capital
- True Beauty Ventures
Watch the episode
Watch “Depth Over Breadth: Inside The Next Collective” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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Dakota Live!, this episode and its artwork belong to Robert Morier. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
