Leah Zell

Leah Joy Zell is a nationally recognized expert in international investing and is considered a pioneer in the international small-cap category. Prior to establishing Lizard Investors LLCin 2008, she was a Co-Founder and Partner at Wanger Asset Management from 1992 to 2005. Ms. Zell was the Head of the International Equities Team; Lead Portfolio Manager of the Acorn International Fund; and Portfolio Manager of the Wanger European Smaller Companies Fund. From 1984 to 1992, Ms. Zell was a Global Equity Analyst for Harris Associates. She began her career at Lehman Brothers in 1979. Ms. Zell has served on numerous Investment Committees and Boards throughout her career. She has been a member of the Investment Committee for the Museum of Contemporary art since 2005. Ms. Zell has been a member of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs since 1992, a Board Member since 1998 and has served as Treasurer since 2004. She is currently on the Executive Committee. Ms. Zell is a Director of The Horton Trust Company LLC, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Radcliffe Institute Dean’s Advisory Council and the Harvard Global Advisory Council. Previously, Ms. Zell served with the Chai Trust Company, the Harvard Board of Overseers, the German Marshall Fund, the International Rescue Committee and Equity International.   Ms. Zell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1971, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In 1979, Ms. Zell received her PhD in Modern Social and Economic History from the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences where she won Woodrow Wilson, Fulbright (DAAD) and Krupp Foundation fellowships. Ms. Zell earned her Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation in 1987.