Testimonials

I worked with Jolene Grube in the International Equities team at Wanger Asset Management and Columbia Threadneedle in Chicago for 23 years. As Jolene’s supervisor, I was impressed by her exemplary work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to quickly learn new skills. She was regularly promoted during her tenure at Wanger and Columbia Threadneedle. In her last role, Jolene supported the head of the international team and the director of research across a wide area of administrative duties. She led discussions with the parent group regarding research brokerage budgets and payments, prepared all quantitative and qualitative materials supporting quarterly portfolio reviews for the Acorn and WATINT funds, managed daily team meeting agendas, and undertook numerous other projects initiated by leadership. Jolene is discreet around sensitive work assignments and is able to complete complex projects on time and independently. She will be a highly appreciated resource for any high functioning team.

I worked with Jolene for 20 years. She is very professional and has a strong understanding of business practices. Jolene communicates well with all levels of management, as well as across departments. She is continually prepared, organized, and deadline driven. In addition, Jolene is always open to learning new skills and systems, and picks them up quickly. Furthermore, Jolene is adapt at working in fluid business environments and she is committed to providing outstanding support.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Jolene my nineteen-year career at Columbia Wanger Asset Management. Jolene was my primary assistant and handled all her responsibilities with earnest professionalism whether the challenge was organizing a complex international research trip and the associated sudden changes that would flare up or coordinating year end reviews of our sizable investment team. As my role evolved from Portfolio Manager to eventual Head of International Equity, hers did also. She eventually became my primary liaison with our funds’ Board of Directors as well as with our parent company’s various departments during our ongoing integration. At each step, she handled the new challenges asked of her without question and succeeded in keeping our investment operations running smoothly. When the challenges of Covid presented themselves, she didn’t miss a step in coordinating the team’s activities remotely, ensuring the performance of all was not impaired by the switch. I feel very fortunate to have had her assistance over the many years and can wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone in search of a highly skilled and professional to assist them and their business operation.

I highly recommend Jolene Grube of UpFront Virtual Assistant. Having worked with her, I have seen firsthand the value she brings to a business. Jolene is a proactive, highly organized professional whose skills were honed supporting senior leaders in the demanding world of international investments. She consistently stays one step ahead on projects and deadlines, ensuring workflow success through clear, initiative-driven communication. She is particularly excellent for businesses needing support with: streamlining operational systems: Jolene ensures processes are efficient and effective. Her organizational skills keep projects moving smoothly and all parties informed. She brings a high level of detail and precision to financial organization. Jolene manages complex tasks and details with ease, ensuring successful outcomes. She is thorough and always well-prepared for research tasks. Jolene is an invaluable asset—warm, friendly, and always willing to take on difficult, multi-faceted projects. Her commitment to excellence and continuous learning makes her a fantastic partner for any business.