The CEO's Guide to the Investment Galaxy

Navigate the investment community with confidence to build great companies
The CEO's Guide to the Investment Galaxy by Sarah Keohane Williamson provides indispensable insights for business leaders navigating the landscape of the global investment community. Not all shareholders are created equal. Knowing who your shareholders and the other members of the investment community are-and what drives them-is key to your success. Whether you're stepping into a CEO role at an established company or spearheading a promising start-up, this guide demystifies the diverse members of the investment community you will encounter, from pension funds to private equity firms to proxy advisors, and provides practical advice to help attract the shareholders who can support you in building a great company.
Williamson draws on her extensive research of and experience with the investment community to deliver actionable strategies for engaging with shareholders and insulating your company from short-term pressures. The book offers a roadmap to effective communication and capital raising, helping you succeed in today's complex business environment-and fortify you against future challenges.
Inside the book:
- Gain insights into the personalities, motivations, and strategies of various investor types
- Learn effective communication tactics to manage investor expectations
- Explore practical approaches to aligning your business with long-term investment goals
The CEO's Guide to the Investment Galaxy is written for CEOs, board members, business leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to deepen their understanding of the investor landscape to fuel long-term company performance. It's also invaluable for journalists, policymakers, investors, and students aiming to grasp the nuances of modern of corporate finance.

SARAH KEOHANE WILLIAMSON is the CEO of FCLTGlobal, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes companies and investors to focus capital on the long-term to build lasting financial security for savers, businesses, and communities. Under her leadership, FCLTGlobal develops innovative, practical research and builds a global community of CEOs focused on solving long-term challenges across global capital markets.
Williamson assumed this role in 2016, after spending over 21 years at Wellington Management, most recently as a Partner and Director of Alternative Investments. Previously, Williamson spent over five years with McKinsey & Company, was a special assistant at the U.S. Department of State, and was a mergers and acquisitions investment banker in New York and London for Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Williamson serves as a Director of Evercore (NYSE:EVR) and of EXL (NASDAQ:EXLS). She is chair of the board of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and is a member of the MITIMCo board, the Boston Children's Hospital investment committee, and the board of the Women's Foundation of Boston. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Williamson earned her MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School and her BA in Economics, with honors, from Williams College. She holds the CFA and CAIA designations.