Virtu Financial’s Post

🍾 Calling all exceptional entrepreneurs and business women 🍾 Veuve Clicquot 2025 Bold Woman Awards, the longest-running international awards of its kind (in their 53rd year 😱)are now open for public nominations. There are two categories: 🏆 Bold Woman Award - honours female leadership, recognising women who embody the qualities of Madame Clicquot: an enterprising spirit, courage, and the determination to drive transformation in their field. This award celebrates women with a proven track record of success in their organisation and personal achievements while also actively inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. It is open to female founders and leaders of all types of organisations—private, charity, and not-for-profit—who have held their roles for more than three years. 🏆Bold Future Award - recognises women who are breaking new ground and taking an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to success. This award is open to female founders of organisations established less than five years ago. The Bold Future Award winner will embody Madame Clicquot’s values of innovation, audacity, fearlessness, and the drive to seize opportunities by bringing a new offering to market or transforming the market itself. If you fit the criteria or if you know of a female entrepreneur and leader who embodies the spirit of Madame Clicquot, nominations are open now: https://lnkd.in/eFAsYE4P #VeuveClicquot #VeuveClicquotxWomen #BoldWomanAward

There is conclusive evidence that diversity in the boardroom improves a company’s performance. Research has shown that women are less likely to hold leadership positions in the board room, and yet, if a woman is in a board leadership role, there is a greater likelihood of board diversity. Only 5% of public companies have female board chairs, and there is almost no data about women in company board leadership roles. The Lodis Forum aims to change that. Learn about The Lodis Forum Membership here: https://lnkd.in/ezKpcxGr

On 17 September, over 40 women and men gathered at the net-zero-office of SUSI Partners for a discussion on women’s representation on company boards organized by 100 Women In Finance's Zurich Committee. The evening featured a thoughtful and candid conversation, moderated by Raphaela Schmid, Head of ESG & Sustainability at SUSI Partners, with our keynote speaker, Hege Yli Melhus Ask, who sits in several board positions across finance and energy sectors. Together, they shared their experiences and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for women aiming to take a seat in the boardroom. Key insights from the event: ✦ The Role of Diverse Perspectives: The panel emphasized that board diversity goes beyond gender, requiring different perspectives and experiences to truly drive innovation and strategic thinking. They noted that gender-diverse boards are not only more inclusive but also more effective in navigating today’s complex business environment. ✦ Navigating Barriers to Entry: The conversation highlighted the structural barriers women often face when pursuing board roles and provided practical advice on overcoming these challenges. The importance of building a strong network, gaining relevant industry experience, and understanding the specific governance needs of companies were key takeaways. ✦ The Importance of Mentorship and Sponsorship: The panel also discussed the critical role mentorship plays in boardroom success. Strong mentorship, alongside visible sponsorship from senior leaders, can significantly accelerate the journey for women aiming for board positions. A special thank you to SUSI Partners for their hospitality and for supporting this important dialogue. We would also like to thank the panelists for their expertise and the valuable insights they shared, and of course, all attendees for making the event a great success. Let’s not forget our Zurich Committee, without whom this event would not have been possible. Alysa Kodisch Claudia M. Christen Neda Derlokova Anjeza Kadilli, PhD Agnieszka Schirm Ruby Senger- Cloudas #100WF #womeninfinance #finance #womenonboards #boardservice #leadership

Chart Your Course to Success: Dive into the 9th Annual MCE Women's Business Conference! Picture a constellation of inspiring women, each a blazing star in the business world. That's what awaits at the MCE Women's Business Conference! ✨ Immerse yourself in a day of learning, networking, and empowerment alongside fellow trailblazers like Lisa Twilley, a beacon of leadership and success. Whether you're a seasoned captain charting your next voyage or a rising star just setting sail, this conference is your compass to greatness. Here's what you can expect: -Chart Your Course: Gain invaluable insights from workshops led by industry experts, covering everything from marketing and finance to leadership and innovation. -Meet the Navigators: Connect with inspirational women like Lisa Twilley, who will share their wisdom and ignite your passion to aspire, succeed, and lead in the business world. -Fuel Your Growth: The MCE Women's Business Center, led by Lisa Twilley, is your powerhouse engine for empowerment, growth, and wealth creation. But wait, there's more! -Set Sail in Person: We're thrilled to offer an unforgettable in-person experience where you can connect face-to-face and build lasting relationships. -Hoist the Online Marketplace Sails: Showcase your brand, highlight holiday deals, launch new products, and promote services through our exclusive online vendor marketplace. ️ -Secure Your Anchor: Don't miss this golden opportunity! Reserve your spot now to link directly to your website and join the movement for women in business! ✨ Click the link below to chart your course to success: https://lnkd.in/emfc5HfF #MCEWomensConference #EmpowerWomenInBusiness #AspireSucceedLead

On Wednesday, Myself and Candice Howell attended the Masthead Women’s Leadership in Financial Services networking event. Hosted by the esteemed Women in Leadership at Masthead, Thank you Joleen John, Ignatius Jacobs, Anri Dippenaar, Ashika Devnarain and Kimera Singh for hosting such an inspirational event that left us all with a new found purpose and belief in our abilities as Women! The event proved to be a delightful blend of insightful discussions and light-hearted revelations that left us enlightened and entertained. ❤ Here’s a recap of the highlights i would like to share: 🔸The 4C Skills: The event highlighted the importance of Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, and Communication as the cornerstones of success for women in the financial services industry. It was akin to discovering that we all have a secret superpower, just waiting to be unleashed! 🔸Hierarchy vs. Influence: Rather than focusing solely on traditional hierarchies, the event encouraged attendees to consider the broader concept of influence. It was like being told that we don't just climb the corporate ladder; we dance on it, influencing those around us with every step. 🔸The Power of Women: Celebrating the unique strengths of women, the event emphasized our ability to build trust, ask insightful questions, and pay meticulous attention to detail. It was a reminder that our superpower lies in the little things we do every day that make a big difference, always focusing on the “bigger picture”. 🔸Redefining Success: Success was redefined as not just a destination but a journey of impact and influence. It was like being handed a map with no destination marked, only endless possibilities to make a difference in our own unique way. 🔸We are SUPERHeroes: With a playful nod to our inner superheroes, the event likened women in financial services to caped crusaders—able to leap tall spreadsheets in a single bound and conquer the most complex challenges with ease and confidence. It was a reminder that, no matter how daunting the task, we are truly unstoppable! A question i would like to leave you with - ✨What does success look like for you? I would love to know! Share your thoughts in the comments section below 👇 #financialservices #insurance #networking #ProTalent #Masthead

On International Women's Day, I'm happy to announce that I'm a judge for Management Today's 35 women under 35. I'm really looking forward to hearing from and about passionate, ambitious, visionary women who've ripped up the rule book, are making a real impact in the business world and redefining what it is to be a leader, whilst empowering those around them. So please enter for yourself or for others (cheerlead for any business women you think are bossing it!). And for those out there still striving: here's a few tips I hope might help... - Have passion, purpose and ambition: Have a purpose, remain true to it, and excite and inspire those around you with it. - Be confident: Know your worth, don’t be humble and empower other women around you to know theirs. Have an opinion and be confident in delivering it.  - Be creative: Challenge thinking and innovate to deliver impact. - Find your place in the room: Find your unique USP and develop that muscle, until the business couldn’t be without it. And know that you cannot do and be everything and nor should you. - Be curious: Remain open to learning from anywhere and anyone within the business. - Get comfortable being uncomfortable (and be resilient!): Seek out ways to continually challenge yourself. - And, above all else, lead with compassion and honesty: Know that a healthy business is based on people and not just profit. Be authentic and honest and lead by example. Use your position to nurture and empower others. https://lnkd.in/ecG5_dPA

This is the year someone in my close network wins these awards 🙏 As a female entrepreneur and proud judge for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Awards, I'm happy to announce that nominations are officially OPEN! 🍾 For over 50 years, these awards have celebrated fearless women who embody the spirit of Madame Clicquot - women who are bold, innovative, and unafraid to break the mold. 🏆 Are YOU ready to step into the spotlight? Whether you're a seasoned leader driving transformation in your industry or a rising star disrupting the market with your entrepreneurial vision, these awards are for YOU. There are two categories: The Bold Woman Award for established leaders honours female leadership, recognising women who embody the qualities of Madame Clicquot: an enterprising spirit, courage, and the determination to drive transformation in their field. This award celebrates women with a proven track record of success in their organisation and personal achievements while also actively inspiring others to follow in their footsteps. It is open to female founders and leaders of all types of organisations—private, charity, and not-for-profit—who have held their roles for more than three years. The Bold Future Award for up-and-coming entrepreneurs recognises women who are breaking new ground and taking an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to success. This award is open to female founders of organisations established less than five years ago. The Bold Future Award winner will embody Madame Clicquot’s values of innovation, audacity, fearlessness, and the drive to seize opportunities by bringing a new offering to market or transforming the market itself. Let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of women across the UK. Nominate yourself or someone you admire today! 🥂 https://lnkd.in/gEGmVPSE #VeuveClicquot #VeuveClicquotxWomen #BoldWomanAward #FemaleEntrepreneurs #Leadership #Inspiration

Fiona Hathorn, chief executive of Women on Boards, advisory panel member for the Financial Reporting Council, advisor to Peel Hunt, discusses the pathways for women to reach board level in hospitality. Quick quotes: "Be your own mentor, constant learning and a strong sense of self and influence... research says that key skills are results-orientated, for example the need to understand a P&L balance sheet, the ability to lead strategically, lead inclusively and understand a changing environment... A leader helps people align their personal purpose and goals with those of the organisation." 👉 Read the programme for Propel's Multi Club conference – Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs, here: https://lnkd.in/er7sJ342

I'd say 95% of the female leaders I mentor are uncomfortable with the idea of visibility or putting themselves out there. They say things like: 1. "I don't want to come across as self-promotional." 2. "I'd rather my work speak for itself." 3. "I don't know where to start or what to say." 4. "I think I'm just a perfectionist." 5. "Who wants to hear from me?" 6. "Do I know enough to share my thoughts and ideas?" 7. "I don't have time." I could provide reframes for each of these (I do when working with clients—comment below if you want one and which number resonates), but here's something I'd love everyone to understand: PEOPLE AREN'T JUDGING YOU AS MUCH AS YOU THINK THEY ARE. The 'Spotlight Effect' says that we overestimate the degree to which other people are observing and judging us. Wouldn't it be nice if people were thinking about us all the time ha? But the truth is, most people are preoccupied with their own lives. In my experience, people are genuinely curious; they want to know what you are up to and are interested in learning from your experiences. They are not sitting around waiting for you to post or share a video just to judge or criticise you. I know we read this on little quote tiles on the internet and understand this on a logical level, but what is it going to take for you to truly internalise this? I have a few ideas... And I'll be sharing them on Thursday evening at the City of Charles Sturt and the Office for Small and Family Business Western Business Leaders - Women in the West event. A few people have asked if this event is only for women in the western suburbs, and it absolutely is not— all women are welcome! I'll pop the link to register in the comments below. A huge thanks to the incredible Selma Barlow, MBA, ACEcD and Emma Grivell ACEcD for bringing this event to life.

If you have an interest in improving diversity in NZ’s financial markets I encourage you to take a read of INFINZ’s latest report and let us know what you think!