Aangi Kothari

Vice President, Bank of America Business Capital

Aangi Kothari is a vice president at Bank of America Business Capital. Aangi structures ABL transactions across a range of industries and specializes in leveraged buyouts involving private equity firms. She can quickly evaluate the appropriateness, sizing and structure of a deal and has worked on over 20 closed transactions over the past two years with total ABL lines in excess of $4 billion, virtually all agented by BofA.  Since joining in 2015 after graduating from Babson College, Aangi has been a valued and top-rated employee every year. Aangi has demonstrated a remarkable learning curve through her thirst for knowledge and tireless work ethic, and has a skill set that would be expected of a much more seasoned underwriter. Her keen understanding and knowledge of legal documentation has allowed her to assist other team members on recent developments and precedents in asset-based lending. 

Aangi is active in campus recruiting, a member of LEAD (Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Development) for Women and Power of 10 (group of women who discuss relevant workplace topics). She is also recipient of both the Wholesale Credit All Star and APEX (Achievement of Performance Excellence) Awards. 

How do you define a good leader?

There is no straightforward answer or simple formula to what makes a great leader. People have their own distinct leadership styles, which are guided by experience. One starts to understand what makes an effective leader when working for one. Below are qualities which I have been fortunate to be led by and which, in turn, I aspire to lead through in the future:

Humility - Great leaders are honest and humble. They support and encourage their juniors and counterparts. Such an environment fosters the growth of those around them as well as themselves. 

Leading by Example – Leaders who are not afraid to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and get involved drive and motivate their teams to go above and beyond. 

Focus – My parents instilled the value of hard work and perseverance. These qualities have helped me to stay focused on my goals and maintain the discipline needed to achieve them. 

Open Communication and Debate – It is essential for an effective leader to both listen and communicate with his/her team. Maintaining clear and concise communication on a regular basis keeps all members of a group on the same page. Likewise, being open to receiving constructive feedback and listening to viewpoints of others promotes a healthy exchange of ideas and a platform for innovative solutions.

Flexibility – Since I started working in my group, my manager shared his experiences on how the asset-based lending industry has transformed over the years. Being adaptable to change is essential in a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving. 

What advice do you normally give to the junior talent you mentor?

Since the beginning of my career, I have been surrounded by influential mentors with whom I have deeply connected. These individuals have helped me grow in my role at BABC and as a person. Relationships, whether business or personal, are built on trust and honesty. Always communicate clearly with your team members and clients to develop that trust and honesty. Be proactive, and always be curious to know more and challenge yourself.  In addition, do not be afraid of not knowing the answer or making mistakes. The best employees absorb information by asking questions and showing the willingness to learn. 

What is the best professional advice you have been given and how have you implemented it? 

The best professional advice I have received is to “be your own advocate.” Speaking up for yourself in a professional setting can be uncomfortable, especially for women. However, using your voice through a constructive conversation in the workplace is important. There have been times where I have had to have tough conversations with clients, team members, and higher ups but those instances have helped me develop confidence and communicate effectively. Over time, I realized that speaking up can bring new ideas and solutions to the table, show others the value you bring to the organization and can create opportunities for open and honest dialogue with colleagues.