How Jude Chisom Erondu pivoted from Development Studies to AI-powered investing

LSE International Development alum Jude Chisom Erondu has built a career spanning sustainable investing, credit analysis, institutional asset management and artificial intelligence. Now founder of the AI-native investment intelligence platform Purifi, he reflects on how his Development Studies degree shaped his approach to solving complex problems, navigating career transitions, and building at the intersection of finance and technology.

In what ways has your International Development degree shaped your path since graduation?

My MSc in Development Studies gave me a systems-level perspective on how institutions, markets, technology, and policy shape economic development. It taught me to think beyond individual companies and understand the broader structural forces that influence industries and long-term value creation.

That perspective has shaped every stage of my career. I began in impact and sustainable investing, moved into credit analysis and institutional asset management, and most recently founded and built Purifi, an AI-native investment intelligence platform. Across each role, I've focused on translating complex macroeconomic, sector, and operational developments into actionable investment and strategic insights. Whether evaluating companies, engaging with institutional stakeholders, or building AI-powered research infrastructure, I continue to apply the interdisciplinary and global perspective I developed through the International Development Department at LSE.

How did you get your first job after graduation?

After graduating from the London School of Economics (LSE), I was intentional about finding a role that combined my interests in global development, sustainability, and financial markets. That led me to join Pathstone Family Office in its Boston, Massachusetts office, where I worked as an ESG & Impact Investing Analyst. In that role, I conducted thematic research, market analysis, portfolio benchmarking, and produced investment insights for institutional and high-net-worth clients. It was a natural extension of the interdisciplinary perspective I developed during my master's and laid the foundation for my career in institutional investing.

Tell us about your current role, what does a typical day or week look like?

I recently graduated from Columbia Business School's Executive MBA program and am currently focused on building at the intersection of AI and institutional investing as the founder of Purifi. My work combines product strategy, investment research, and AI to help investment professionals generate higher-quality insights more efficiently.

A typical week is highly varied. I spend time designing AI-powered research workflows, refining product strategy, speaking with investors and potential customers to understand their needs, and working closely with engineers to translate institutional investment research processes into scalable AI products. I also keep a close eye on financial markets, emerging AI capabilities, and industry trends to ensure the platform evolves alongside the needs of institutional investors. Graduating from Columbia Business School's Executive MBA program has strengthened my leadership, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial skills, which I apply every day as I continue building Purifi.

What has been the best part of your career journey, and what has been the biggest challenge?

The best part of my career has been the opportunity to continuously evolve while staying focused on solving complex problems. I have had the chance to work across sustainable investing, credit analysis, institutional asset management, and now AI, with each experience building on the last. The most rewarding milestone has been founding and building Purifi, where I have been able to combine my investment expertise with my passion for technology to create an AI native investment intelligence platform from the ground up. Seeing an idea evolve into a product has been incredibly fulfilling.

The biggest challenge has been navigating ambiguity and stepping outside my comfort zone. Transitioning from a traditional investment career to founding an AI company required me to learn entirely new disciplines, including product development, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It has been challenging, but it has also been the most rewarding period of my professional growth. I have learned that meaningful opportunities often come from embracing uncertainty, staying curious, and committing to continuous learning.

What skills have been most important in your career, and what skills should students focus on developing?

The most important skills in my career have been analytical thinking, intellectual curiosity, communication, and adaptability. Whether I was evaluating investment opportunities, conducting company research, engaging with management teams, or building an AI company, the ability to break down complex problems, ask the right questions, and communicate ideas clearly has been essential. As my career evolved, I also learned the importance of being comfortable with ambiguity and continuously learning new skills, especially when transitioning from institutional investing to building an AI native investment intelligence platform.

Technology and industries will continue to evolve, but people who can think critically, adapt quickly, collaborate effectively, and keep learning will be well positioned for long term success.

For students, I would recommend focusing on developing strong analytical and communication skills first because they are valuable in every industry. Beyond technical expertise, cultivate curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to learn. Technology and industries will continue to evolve, but people who can think critically, adapt quickly, collaborate effectively, and keep learning will be well positioned for long term success.

How is your sector changing, including the impact of AI, and what should students be paying attention to?

The investment industry is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in decades, driven by advances in AI and the increasing availability of data. AI is not replacing investors, but it is fundamentally changing how research is conducted, how information is synthesised, and how investment decisions are made. Routine tasks such as summarising earnings calls, analysing filings, and monitoring market developments are becoming increasingly automated, allowing investment professionals to focus more on critical thinking, judgment, and developing differentiated investment insights.

Having worked in institutional investing and now as the founder of Purifi, I have seen firsthand how AI can augment, rather than replace, the investment research process. The most successful professionals will be those who understand both their domain expertise and how to effectively leverage AI to enhance their work.

Technical tools will continue to evolve rapidly, but the ability to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate information critically, and make well-reasoned decisions will remain a lasting competitive advantage.

My advice to students is to build a strong foundation in analytical thinking, finance, economics, and communication while also becoming comfortable using AI as a productivity and research tool. Equally important is developing sound judgment, curiosity, and ethical decision making. Technical tools will continue to evolve rapidly, but the ability to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate information critically, and make well-reasoned decisions will remain a lasting competitive advantage.

What career options exist beyond traditional International Development organisations, and which transferable skills help most?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that an International Development degree only leads to careers in NGOs or multilateral organizations. In reality, the interdisciplinary training equips you with skills that are highly transferable across many sectors. My own career has taken me into sustainable investing, institutional asset management, credit analysis, and most recently, entrepreneurship as the founder of an AI native investment intelligence company. Throughout that journey, I've applied the same ability to analyse complex systems, understand global economic trends, evaluate risk, and connect policy, markets, and technology to solve real world problems.

International Development teaches you to understand issues from multiple perspectives and make decisions in complex environments where there are rarely simple answers. Those capabilities are increasingly valuable in industries such as finance, consulting, technology, public policy, and entrepreneurship.

The transferable skills that have been most valuable are critical thinking, analytical research, communication, problem solving, and the ability to work across disciplines. International Development teaches you to understand issues from multiple perspectives and make decisions in complex environments where there are rarely simple answers. Those capabilities are increasingly valuable in industries such as finance, consulting, technology, public policy, and entrepreneurship. The specific sector may change, but the ability to think strategically, learn continuously, and adapt to new challenges is what creates long term career opportunities.

What helped you move into more senior roles or change direction in your career?

What helped me move into more senior roles and ultimately change direction was a willingness to keep learning and take on challenges that stretched me beyond my existing skill set. Rather than focusing only on promotions, I sought opportunities to deepen my expertise, work on increasingly complex problems, and take ownership of meaningful initiatives. That approach helped me progress from sustainable investing to credit analysis and institutional asset management and eventually gave me the confidence to found and build Purifi.

The views expressed in this post are those of the alum and in no way reflect those of the LSE International Development Department or the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Featured Image credit: Jude Chisom Erondu