February 2023

Distribution 5,847

On International Women’s Day 2023, #EmbraceEquity

Wednesday, March 8, is International Women's Day, an annual worldwide celebration that honors the achievements, contributions and successes of women in various socioeconomic spheres. On this day, we will celebrate all women and girls who have made and continue to make a positive difference in the world and in their own lives.

Stemming from the reform movements of the early 20^th century, the impetus for establishing a Women’s Day can be traced back to New York City in February 1908, when thousands of woman garment workers went on strike and marched through the city in protest against their working conditions. While the specific issues at hand have changed throughout the decades, the purpose of International Women’s Day (IWD) remains relevant and important: to honor women’s rights across political, economic, social and cultural spheres. IWD has been recognized as an official United Nations observance since 1975, which also was International Women’s Year, and today, it is a national holiday in many parts of the world.

Each year, a new IWD campaign theme is developed to shine a light on specific topics, many of which are relevant to women’s career advancement in the finance industry. The theme for 2023 is #EmbraceEquity. This important theme seeks to inspire conversations about the difference between “equality” and “equity” and why equal opportunities alone are no longer enough. The #EmbraceEquity theme is based on the premise that people should be given equal opportunities coupled with access to a variety of tools that could serve their individual needs to help create the most successful career that they desire.

Supporting International Women’s Day, its origins and its ongoing efforts to recognize the achievements and contributions of women is inherently aligned with the mission of the STA Women in Finance initiative, which is to assist in meeting the unique career development needs of women in the securities industry, and to foster a culture of inclusion for women.

On March 8, and every day throughout 2023, we should all strive to #EmbraceEquity. To highlight the important work and impressive successes of women in financial services, STA WIF recently launched a new series of interviews with women spanning all areas of the industry who aim to inspire the next generation of women in finance. Kicking off the series is an interview with Jennifer Nayar, President and CEO of Sterling Trading Tech. If you missed it the first time around, the article is reprinted further down in this newsletter.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Inessa Ruffman,

JonesTrading & STA WIF Chair

STA Women in Finance Interview Series

In case you missed it, check out STA WIF's new Interview Series. Kicking off the series is an interview with Jennifer Nayar, President and CEO of Sterling Trading Tech.

Jennifer Nayar

President & CEO

Sterling Trading Tech

Articles of Interest

The Fed Expects More Hikes and Getting Women Into Top Finance Jobs

Bloomberg News

On today's podcast we talk to famed investor Helena Morrissey about her plan to get more women into top finance jobs. 

here

‘It’s a Huge Concern’: Senior-Level Women Are Calling It Quits After Decades Climbing the Career Ladder

CNBC

Some of the world’s most powerful women are calling it quits. Last week, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, also one of Google’s earliest employees, announced she’s leaving the company to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I’m passionate about,” she wrote in a note to employees.

here

Being Surrounded by Men Not New, Always Disappointing, Lagarde Says

Bloomberg News

Christine Lagarde said being one of just two women in the European Central Bank’s 26-member Governing Council is something she’s used to, while highlighting that a more balanced group would produce better results. “I was a woman in many circles of men,” the ECB’s first female president told Finnish TV during a non-monetary-policy meeting this week in the Nordic country. 

here

The Changing Face Of Finance And How To Get More Women To Top Roles

Forbes

“You don’t look like a CFO. When did you start your career?” “I can’t believe you’re a CFO.” I have heard statements like these countless times throughout my career. While I believe that no offense is intended, these words dismiss the years of experience and qualifications that I, and other women, have worked so hard to obtain. Words like these are part of the problem in addressing diversity in workplaces. After all, it is rare to comment on a man’s appearance or age.

here

Gen Z Women Entering the Workforce Have Low Pay Expectations, Showing Little Has Changed Since the Boomer Generation

Yahoo Finance

Gen Z isn’t dodging the pitfalls of pay equity issues as they enter the workforce. Women, it seems, fall behind on compensation even before their first professional job, according to a new report from Handshake, a career app aimed at Gen Z. On average, those surveyed in the class of 2023 reported they consider $82,000 a high, achievable starting salary.

here

Three UBS Private Wealth Advisors in the Southeast Market Named to the Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State List

Yahoo Finance

UBS announced today that Private Wealth Advisors Rebecca Glasgow, Leslie Lauer and Jana Lisle Parham, in the firm’s Southeast Market have been named to the Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In-State list 2023. Rebecca and Leslie were also named to the Forbes America’s Top 100 Women Wealth Advisors list for 2023.

here

Save the Date!

8th Annual STA Women in Finance Symposium

October 11, 2023

JW Marriott Washington DC