Ms. Lakin is Director of Equity Research. She is responsible for managing a team of analysts covering all sectors and regions. She directs research initiatives, ensures quality of the research team’s output, guides sustainability integration within research, and facilitates collaboration between Putnam's equity portfolio managers and the research team. In addition, she is a portfolio manager of George Putnam Balanced Fund and Putnam Research Fund. Ms. Lakin is a member of Putnam's Diversity Advisory Council. She joined Putnam in 2012 and has been in the investment industry since 2008.