January 2024

Kicking Off 2024: A Holistic View of Women in Finance

By Inessa Ruffman, JonesTrading

2024 STA WIF Chair

Happy 2024 from the STA Women in Finance Committee!

A new year is a time for reflection, goal-setting and a fresh start overall. In 2024, our committee is excited to continue sharing the stories of women in financial services, celebrating their achievements and inspiring the next generation of leaders. We believe these efforts are essential to fostering greater understanding of the unique career development needs of women in this industry.

Since STA WIF was founded in 2016, we’ve witnessed some great progress in terms of workplace inclusivity – but there’s still so much more to be done when it comes to creating diverse environments where all perspectives are represented and heard. That’s why we plan to spend some time in the year ahead taking a more holistic look at the key issues impacting women in the workplace.

That means you can expect us to dive into crucial topics at the intersection of work and personal life. Stress management, work-life balance, parenting and maternity, exercise and mental health are all on the table as priorities that impact women’s overall wellness and success at work and beyond. We’ll also investigate common phenomena women face in professional settings, such as imposter syndrome, implicit gender bias and ageism, looking under the hood to explore the origins of these challenges and how woman leaders have conquered them while navigating the dynamic world of financial services.

We also plan to offer actionable tips to keep you at the top of your game. Perspectives on things like post-graduate education and licenses, personal finance, the power of negotiation, the importance of mentorship and more will help you forge your career path and life in a way that best reflects your talents and capabilities.

In all these areas, as our professional climate continues to change for the better, STA WIF is committed to serving as a steadfast industry resource and advocate, spreading awareness of woman-centric topics and championing female professionals in financial services. Thank you to our members and subscribers for your continuous support and engagement. Here’s to a new year of education, inspiration and celebration of the remarkable achievements of woman leaders!

Congrats to the Women Serving as 2024 STA Affiliate Presidents!

Chiara Sarata, Kezar Markets, Boston STA

Laura Garzon, CIBC, Canadian STA (Toronto)

Gina King, LPL Financial, STA Carolinas

Lauren Arbid, ABN AMRO Clearing, STA Chicago

Janice Morgan-Hilsman, Raymond James & Associates, STA Florida

Alina Shah, JP Morgan, San Francisco STA

Save the Date!

STA Washington DC Spring Update

April 10, 2024

St. Regis Washington, DC

Our annual Washington DC Spring Update is back - and in-person for the first time ever! Join us at this sponsor-exclusive event at the St. Regis Hotel to hear from leading regulatory and business leaders!

The latest edition of STA WIF's "Changing the Face of Financial Services" interview series features Stephanie Dumont, Executive Vice President, Head of Market Regulation and Transparency Services at FINRA.

Articles of Interest

Forget ‘Girl Math’: Handle Your Money Like a Woman

Kiplinger

Unfortunately, there is a new phenomenon that has slipped into our lexicon: girl math. It has inundated TikTok feeds and memes. You can laugh it off as just goofy stuff, but I think we have to take a closer look. The tropes of “women being bad at math and with money” are alive and well in this seemingly goofy practice. Your grandchildren are at risk.

here

Attacks on Corporate DEI Are Hurting Black Women First

Ms. Magazine

Melinda French Gates declared late last year that “it’s time to change the face of power in venture capital,” noting that “we need to break down the systemic barriers that are keeping women-led funds from expanding their assets under management.” As two Black women working to support economic prosperity, wealth-building and community development, this resonates deeply with us. We know firsthand how investments in small businesses, housing and community revitalization can transform lives and create opportunities for historically neglected and abandoned populations—especially Black women. 

here



Women in Business: History, Trends, Challenges & Opportunities

TheStreet

2023 was a milestone year for women in business, as women gained more “seats at the table” at every level of the workforce, from an increase in the number of female CEOs at Fortune 500 companies to a surge in female entrepreneurship in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Women-led enterprises account for 42% of all businesses in America as of early 2024 — that’s more than double the number in the early 2000s.

here

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