May 24, 2023

Employee Spotlight: Dana Udumulla, Investments Manager 

Written By: Daniel Gleich

Meet Dana Udumulla, Madison Trust’s Investments Team Manager. Dana joined Madison Trust Company in February 2020 and oversees our Investments Department, working to improve compliance policies and procedures. 

We asked Dana a few questions to find out more about her and what it takes to be a successful manager of the Investments Team at Madison Trust. 

 1. As the Investments Manager, what does a typical workday look like? 

I like to start early to get my schedule and priorities in order and have a cup of coffee before the day begins. After that, it is a rollercoaster ride! Today for instance, several things arose with Outgoing Money that I was not aware of, so I handled that first.  

I have three teams: Investments, Outgoing Money, and Business Development. I am always switching hats between the three teams and figuring out what needs my attention.  

Regarding daily tasks, I conduct reviews of client investments with team members to ensure compliance with IRS regulations. I work directly with investment sponsors to establish a streamlined onboarding process for their clients, and I work with the team to ensure timely processing of transactions. 

2. How did you decide to work in the financial services industry? 

I went to school to pursue a career in corporate law. During my sophomore year in college, I took a corporate finance course, and it really piqued my interest.

A person crunching numbers on a calculator working in corporate finance

I enrolled in more classes and by the time I graduated, I had a finance degree. I had also interned with financial firms and knew this was where I wanted to be.

3. Tell us about your previous work experience and how it has helped you at Madison Trust.

I interned at boutique financial firms during my summers in college. These internships helped me understand the finance industry. I went into management briefly and managed a team of 14 people. Around this time, I was completing a master's in financial analysis from Rutgers University and found Madison Trust! 
 
My former experience helped me with juggling multiple roles, stress management, time management, and personnel management. Everything helped me create this skillset that I use in my current role. 
 

4. What is your favorite part of working at Madison Trust?

The culture is so inviting. We hold monthly lunches, employee events, and celebrate birthdays. My favorite thing about Madison Trust is the culture that Mr. Gleich has created.

Two gears connecting that read workplace culture

5. Please tell us about a project you are working on. 

This year, we are focusing on educational initiatives to spread the word about what a Self-Directed IRA is, who Madison Trust is, what we do, and how we can help you. At the end of the year, I cannot wait to see where our educational outreach of Madison Trust will be! 

6. Do you currently invest in any alternative assets?

I have investments in precious metals and real estate. I have four real estate investments back home in Sri Lanka.

An aerial view of Colombo Sri Lanka

Even before I started this role, I was very much into real estate investing. I am investing in a few multi-family rental properties with the goal of creating generational wealth. 

In the future, I want to get into startups and crowdfunding because they are up and coming. I also feel extremely passionate about those. 

7. What are your hobbies outside of work?

I love binge watching crime documentaries. I am also a huge foodie and love cooking Italian, Mexican, and Indian cuisines. I love going around, trying new cuisines. I live 20 minutes from the city and there is a lot of diversity when it comes to food, so I always like trying things out during the weekend – from Ethiopian to Nigerian, it is endless. I always like to at least try something once.

8. If you could have an unlimited supply of anything, what would it be?

If there was one thing that I could ever have an unlimited supply of, it would be time. We do not have enough time, at all, and there are so many things I want to do. I do not see a lot of women in this industry, and I want to be someone who takes Self-Directed IRAs to a new level, so professionally, I need a lot of time. Personally, I want to travel. Within the next two years, I have a goal of traveling to all 50 states of the United States! I have visited 15, so I have a long way to go.

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Corporate Headquarters:
Madison Trust Company
401 East 8th Street • Suite 200
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Mailing Address:
Madison Administration Company
One Paragon Drive • Suite 275
Montvale, NJ 07645
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM EST
Friday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM EST
Saturday/Sunday: Closed
Contact:
(800) 721-4900
[email protected]
F: 845-947-1212
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