WAVE - Women's Association of Venture & Equity’s Post

A career in the investment industry is undeniably challenging. It's a tough and competitive environment for everyone. Early on in my career, I, like many other women at the time, faced additional hurdles due to stereotyping and a lack of diversity. Now, 30 years later, I can confidently say that a career in this field can be deeply rewarding on many levels. In celebration of Women’s Day, several of my female colleagues at Coronation have shared the most fulfilling aspects of their careers. Their insights are truly inspirational! #WomensDay #InvestmentIndustry #WomenInFinance

Honouring my capacity… … by doing things I love! ❤️ I just attended Wealthy Women Live and had the most amazing time, not just through meeting new women who were all inspiring in their own way, but by really giving myself permission to invest in me and P&M. Honestly, I’m still processing a lot of the thoughts I’ve had and one of the reasons I wanted to attend is because P&M is levelling up in the next few months and I want to spend time planning this next stage. So- what did I learn? 💡 2 days, lots of lightbulb moments and the best ideas didn’t come from a thought, but from a feeling. Throughout the 2 days I wrote down key words on a separate page when these came with a feeling. This is where the good stuff happened! 💥 Wealth is a word that comes with baggage. It isn’t about money, it is a whole lot more than that. For example, why did I job band a whole company to ‘prove’ I was underpaid?! Being the only female in a senior team, paid less is inequality. Just as a FYI- I definitely no longer under value myself! 😉 ✨ That the magic of bringing together women who are open to share, support and hold space for others is… well just bloody amazing! I’ve made some fantastic connections and dished out hugs when needed. I’ve diary dates already happening and it is so empowering just sitting in that energy. I’ve about a hundred new ideas BUT will spend time refining these over the next few weeks. A HUGE thank you to Catherine Morgan and her team, not just a lovely human but a really inspiring person to be around 😊 #wealthywomen #hrconsultancy #femalefounders #growthstrategy #femalefounders

What’s your best mentorship advice for the amazing grads of WoodGreen Community Services Homeward Bound Program? Tag #HomewardBoundTO

Learn what's behind the exodus of young men from the workforce and why it matters for your company and society alike.

After a three-month hiatus, former Goldman Sachs executive Beth Hammack has landed her next gig as CEO and president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Hammack's departure from Goldman in February was just the latest sign that the glass ceiling at the investment bank is still impenetrable. Despite its pledges to diversify its management ranks, Goldman has never had a female chair, CEO, president or CFO. I wrote for Bloomberg Opinion at the time that we don’t know exactly why Hammack decided to leave, but we have plenty of clues. The company passed her over as CFO in 2021, instead moving Hammack into a position it claimed would eventually lead to a more senior role. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t.) And that’s despite being described by colleagues and industry insiders as a “unique talent who dedicated her life to the firm,” a “deep intellect” and “bound for higher office.” She was said to have lacked “the swagger” of Goldman’s high-fliers and kept her “ties to a number of illustrious industry figures under close wrap," encapsulating the lose-lose position in which women at Hammack’s level frequently find themselves. Too little swagger and she’s considered “atypical” for Goldman; too much and research suggests she would risk being marked as overly ambitious. The most striking and cringe-worthy anecdote I read about Hammack came from a former Goldman executive who told Bloomberg News in 2020: “She’s brilliant and she can explain the most complicated things in standard English. Once I thought of challenging her and asked if she could explain something in a Haiku.” There’s a metaphor there — the impossible standards women at the top are held to, the extra mile they are asked to go, how little their time is valued. And no surprise, Hammack delivered the haiku first thing the next morning. So why did she leave? Maybe she just got tired jumping through all those hoops and never landing at the top.

I encourage you to read this Bloomberg opinion piece regarding Beth Hammack’s recent departure from Goldman Sachs. I find myself questioning why this keeps happening, particularly as after five minutes on the internet this is what I found: ➡ A study of Fortune 500 companies revealed that gender-diverse teams with women in top management produce 20% more patents on average than teams led by men. ➡ A report by McKinsey & Company found that companies with gender-diverse executive teams were 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability. ➡ An S&P global analysis demonstrated that organisations with female CEOs have more success producing superior stock price performance, compared with the market average. ➡ Companies with a female CEO or head of the board of directors had a 25% annualised return over eight years, compared to 11% for the broader worldwide index of firms. It's backed by science, but how do we fix this? One drop in the bucket - regulations. The FCA and PRA set out proposals in September 2023 to boost diversity and inclusion to support healthy work cultures, reduce groupthink and unlock talent. Proposals set out for firms included requirements to: ➡ Develop a diversity and inclusion strategy setting out how the firm will meet their objectives and goals. ➡ Collect, report and disclose data against certain characteristics. ➡ Set targets to address under-representation. This all means that within the next five or so months, FCA/PRA regulated firms will be held to stronger requirements when it comes to diversity and inclusion. I’m grateful to work for a company that doesn’t just pledge gender diversity but also practises it. I’m grateful to work with clients that do the same, from graduate to c-suite. I’m optimistic that the implementation of proposals such as these will become more frequent in the financial sector, opening the door for women to step into the senior positions they deserve.

Career progression takes a village—or in this case a “mini-circle”. Here are a few tips from our time with Cindy Ivanac-Ling, Director of Media Relations, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and her "mini-circle" of women in finance: ✍🏼 “If you are not getting the support you need, adapt quickly and find a different environment where you can thrive.”- Elaine Kim Benfield, Assistant General Counsel, Vanguard ✍🏼“All work done collaboratively is better.” - Nahiomy Alvarez, Senior Manager, CBOE ✍🏼“We miss opportunities because we aren’t always present to them. Be present in all the moments—small and large—and be fearless.”- Ivana Ruffini, Independent Financial Market Utilities Consultant Reshape your career with advice from industry experts: https://bit.ly/3QZzQh5 #WomenInFinance #WomenInBusiness

Applications for Cohort 2 of Black Women Investors (BWI) are NOW OPEN! Black Women Investors (BWI) is dedicated to creating opportunities, providing resources, and fostering a supportive community for Black women aspiring to excel in venture capital and private equity. With less than 1% of senior roles in these fields held by Black women, BWI aims to empower members to thrive professionally through mentorship, skill development, and strategic partnerships. A recent study from the World Economic Forum noted an estimated $700 billion could be unlocked by financial institutions by better serving women as investors. Research also shows that women investors outperform men by 1.8 percentage points annually and are twice as likely to incorporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into their investing activities. BWI is building a pipeline of diverse investors who will lead in shaping the future of finance. If you’re a Black woman in private equity or venture capital—whether you're at the beginning of your career or an experienced professional—seeking mentorship, skill development, or career growth, we encourage you to apply and join this exceptional network. 💡 Membership benefits include: Mentorship and skill development: Personalized guidance and tools to refine your skills and advance your career in venture capital and private equity. Strategic networking opportunities: Engage with a community of like-minded professionals dedicated to driving impact in the investment world. Access to educational resources: Gain valuable knowledge on the latest trends and best practices in venture capital and private equity. Community support: Collaborate with peers and mentors who share your commitment to breaking barriers and advancing in these fields. Together, we are closing the gap in investment roles and creating a diverse group of investors that reflects the broader global community. 🔗 Learn more and apply! Application: https://lnkd.in/ef5NazNn #BlackWomenInvestors #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #Mentorship #SkillDevelopment #ApplicationsOpen #RepresentationMatters #EconomicEmpowerment #ESGInvesting

I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be speaking on a topic close to my heart at Women of Debt Relief: Constant and Never-Ending Improvement, a philosophy championed by Tony Robbins. In today's rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt and grow isn't just an advantage—it's a necessity. Robbins' philosophy teaches us that learning isn't confined to our school years; it's a lifelong journey. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned executive, there's always more to discover, skills to refine, and wisdom to gain. But personal growth isn't just about professional development. It's about showing up as our authentic selves. In an era where it's tempting to craft a perfect online image, true leadership emerges when we embrace our genuine selves—strengths, vulnerabilities, and all. This authenticity not only fosters trust but also encourages others to do the same. Self-empowerment and growth, however, aren't overnight achievements. They require patience, resilience, and an open mind. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zones, to challenge our long-held beliefs, and to see setbacks not as failures but as learning opportunities. One of the most powerful lessons I've learned is the value in saying, "I messed that up." Instead of hiding mistakes or blaming others, acknowledging our missteps and asking, "How can I do better next time?" transforms errors into stepping stones. It's in these moments of humility that we experience our most profound growth. As we commit to this journey of constant improvement, we naturally become beacons of inspiration. Our growth, challenges, and triumphs become lessons that guide others. By openly sharing our paths, we create a culture where continuous learning is celebrated, and where giving back is a natural extension of our personal evolution. I'm eager to delve deeper into these concepts at the Women of Debt Relief. Join me as we explore how embracing constant improvement can lead to a more authentic, empowered, and impactful life. #WODR #CANI #winningedge

Keen to switch from autopilot and take the driving seat in your career? Curious how to harness the power of failures and regrets to shape you future? I'll discuss this and much more with Malvika Singh on September 17th for the next Women in Finance webinar 💡 🚀 I would not miss this event for the world - and you shouldn't either! Register at the link below and do not miss out! CFA Society Switzerland