Gena Lai

Profession and title: 
Senior Director of Complex Gifts Management
Interests: 

Shotokan Karate (4th degree black belt), Tai Chi Chuan, and grass roots political organizing. 

Brief biography: 

Gena Lai is Director of Special Assets and Strategic Initiatives in the Yale Office of Development.  In this role, she conducts legal, financial, and other due diligence on proposed non-cash gifts to Yale; works with donors and front-line fundraisers to structure gift transactions for the donor’s and Yale’s mutual benefit; and facilitates compliance with tax and securities laws relating to the reporting and substantiation of charitable deductions and the transfer of securities gifts.  She also manages a multi-million dollar portfolio of a wide variety of assets, including private equity, hedge funds, limited partnership interests, real estate, oil and mineral interests, life insurance policies, intellectual property interests, and collectibles.  Prior to her current role, Gena worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC; Weil, Gotshal & Manges, a law firm in New York City; Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, NY; and the Yale Investments Office.  Gena graduated from Yale College with a B.A. in English literature and Fordham Law School with a J.D.  She is also a CFA charterholder.

Areas for involvement with Morse students: 
Academic advising for first-year students
Advising and mentoring for upperclassmen
Career advising
Connecting students to internships or other opportunities
Serving as a reader for students preparing CVs and job or fellowship applications
Is there another way in which you might work with Morse students not listed above?: 
I would also be able to introduce Morse students to internship/employment opportunities working directly with me in the Office of Development. Furthermore, as a mother of twin daughters, I am happy to speak with Morse students about balancing family and career. Although it may still be early to be thinking about balancing work and family, I remember anticipating that challenge as a Yale undergraduate.
Email Address: 
gena.lai@yale.edu
Phone Number: 
203-432-4677