About Us
About Phoenix Quant Collective
A student-led initiative at the University of Chicago building a focused, professional community for women in quantitative finance.
Our History
How We Started
Phoenix Quant Collective (PQC) was founded in Spring 2026 to build a focused, welcoming, and professional community supporting women in quantitative finance. The idea grew from a simple observation: pursuing a career in quant can feel intimidating, especially when it is difficult to find people who share your experiences or know what the path into the industry looks like. PQC was created to make that path feel a little less overwhelming by bringing women together to share advice, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections.
At its core, PQC is about creating opportunities that can make a real difference in students' careers. Through mentorship, recruiting support, interview preparation, career development, and connections with alumni and industry professionals, we aim to give members both the resources and community they need to navigate quantitative finance with greater confidence. We also hope to create a space where members can ask questions, learn from each other's experiences, and build relationships that extend beyond the recruiting process.
PQC’s approach is inspired by the success of similar initiatives at peer institutions, including the Columbia Lioness Quant Club and CMU Women in Quant, which have built meaningful relationships with firms and alumni to create targeted opportunities for their students. We hope to build on that model while developing a community that is accessible, supportive, and genuinely useful to women at every stage of their journey into quantitative finance.
Why This Matters
The Numbers Behind Our Mission
Women remain sharply underrepresented at every stage of the pipeline into quantitative finance, and that gap widens the more senior the role gets. We built an interactive breakdown of the data, including where UChicago's own Financial Mathematics program stands.
See The DataOur Timeline
How We're Getting Off The Ground
Spring 2026
Gauge Interest & Setup
We began by gauging interest among women in the Financial Mathematics Class of 2026 and speaking with students about the types of resources, mentorship, and career support they would find most valuable. We then opened applications for founding board positions, bringing together students who were passionate about building a community for women in quantitative finance.
Summer 2026
Building the Foundation
With the founding board in place, we spent the summer building the foundation needed to launch PQC in the fall. We met weekly to work through administrative requirements, clarify board responsibilities, develop our organizational structure, and plan how to grow the community. We also researched how similar women-in-quant organizations operate, including their programming, sponsorship models, membership structures, and approaches to alumni and industry engagement.
Establishing Our Presence
We began establishing PQC’s presence both online and across the broader university community. We created our LinkedIn and Instagram accounts, developed a mailing list and shared resource hub, and began sharing relevant career opportunities and professional resources with students. We also worked to introduce PQC to both undergraduate and graduate communities by reaching out to relevant programs, student organizations, and women’s groups. At the same time, we built this website to give students, alumni, and industry professionals a central place to learn about PQC and get involved.
Building Industry & Alumni Connections
A major part of our preparation was beginning to build the relationships that would shape PQC’s professional programming. We reached out to leaders of other professional and quantitative organizations to learn from their experiences and get guidance on building a sustainable student organization. We also began connecting with alumni and industry professionals to hear their perspectives, learn more about their experiences in quantitative finance, and explore opportunities for future mentorship, networking, and events. Our professional outreach efforts included researching firms with existing women-focused initiatives and identifying potential contacts for future collaboration.
Preparing for Launch
Alongside this outreach, we began developing the programming and resources we wanted PQC to offer from the start. We explored interview preparation, resume reviews, networking workshops, technical preparation, social events, mentorship, alumni panels, office visits, and collaborations with other student organizations. We also worked through the process of applying for Registered Student Organization status and developed the bylaws and organizational documents needed to support that application. By the end of the summer, we had established our communications channels, begun building relationships across the university and industry, developed our initial resources, and laid the groundwork for PQC’s fall launch.
Fall 2026
Official Launch
With the foundation in place, we are preparing to officially launch Phoenix Quant Collective this fall. One of our first priorities is organizing a Welcome Picnic designed to give women and other students interested in quantitative finance a relaxed, welcoming space to meet one another, learn more about PQC, and connect over good food. Rather than beginning with a formal recruiting or speaker event, we want our first gathering to feel approachable and personal, giving students the opportunity to build connections and get to know the community behind PQC.
launch also marks the debut of the PQC website, which will serve as a central hub for our mission, team, upcoming events, professional resources, and ways to get involved. Alongside the launch, we are finalizing the logistics and programming for future events, including career development and networking opportunities. We have also begun solidifying coffee chat connections with alumni and industry professionals to create opportunities for students to hear directly from people working in quantitative finance and build relationships beyond campus.
Together, these efforts are helping us turn PQC from an idea into an active community, with a first semester focused on creating meaningful connections, sharing opportunities, and building a strong foundation for the women who will continue the organization in the years ahead.
What We Do
Our Focus Areas
A small number of high-impact activities designed to strengthen recruiting outcomes and build lasting industry relationships.
Firm Office Visits
Office visits to Chicago-based quantitative finance firms, giving members a first-hand look at the industry.
Alumni Engagement
Alumni panels and coffee chats, virtual or in-person, connecting students with industry professionals.
Career Development
Recruiting-focused events and ongoing sharing of opportunities, applications, and resources through our Slack.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
A few common questions about PQC — this list will keep growing as the club does.
PQC is designed to support and connect women and gender minorities interested in quantitative finance, whether they are exploring the field for the first time or already building a career in it. We welcome members who are curious, collaborative, and committed to creating a community where everyone can learn, connect, and grow. All PQC members, events, and communications are expected to reflect a high standard of professionalism, respect, and inclusivity.
Office visits to Chicago-based quantitative finance firms, alumni panels, coffee chats, and recruiting-focused career development events — targeting one to three events per quarter.
Opportunities, applications, and resources are shared on an ongoing basis through our Slack, mailing list, and social media (LinkedIn and Instagram). See our Opportunities page for current postings.
Yes! PQC is building opportunities for members to connect with peers, alumni, and professionals across quantitative finance. Through coffee chats, mentorship initiatives, industry events, and community programming, we aim to make it easier to build meaningful connections, learn from others’ experiences, and explore different paths within quant finance. As PQC grows, we’re also working to develop more structured mentorship and industry partnerships.
Not at all! PQC welcomes women and gender minorities at all stages of their quantitative finance journey, whether you’re just starting to explore the field or already have experience in it. Our goal is to create a community where members can learn from one another, explore opportunities, and build the skills and connections needed to pursue a career in quantitative finance.
There are a few ways to connect with the PQC community! Visit Our Team to learn more about our board members and reach out through LinkedIn by clicking on their profile cards. You can also send us a message through the Contact page or connect with other PQC members directly through our Slack community.