RMA: Women in sec finance must ‘foster a connection’ and ‘empower’ themselves
09 October 2018 Miami
Image: Shutterstock
Women in the securities finance industry must “foster a connection” between each other to “empower” themselves professionally and promote their interests, according to speakers at the 35th Risk Management Association Conference on Securities Lending.
In a panel, discussing women and diversity in the securities financing industry, speakers talked about the importance of networking, their driving forces in the industry, mentorship, confidence, and cognitive and observable diversity.
One speaker, reflecting on her career, said that her driving force has been to “learn more” and “be the best I can be”.
She expressed the importance of taking risks in her career and expressed the hope that others in the industry would follow that ethos.
“In terms of turning points throughout my career, there have been times that I have taken risks, that’s when everything has paid off”, she said, “take calculated risks, even in times that they don’t seem to be obvious.”
Another speaker discussed how one of the worst mistakes she made in her career was not taking the aforementioned advice.
She explained: “I worked hard and was good at what I did, but I didn’t ask for new positions. Part of me thought somebody would notice my hard work and give me a new position.”
“You need to speak up to let your managers know you are interested in other positions. To assume that will happen on its own is probably a mistake.”
Another speaker said that people should “challenge the status quo” and “ask difficult questions”.
The speaker remarked that firms should be “cultivating an opportunity to allow people to step back from their day to day, think about what they are doing, and cultivate an interest in something new, then they can take the risk.”
For some people, mentorship and sponsorship is a good avenue to aid in gaining recognition.
One speaker explained the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship, especially for women and diverse candidates.
Another speaker said that she had benefited from two sponsors who had championed her career and helped her gain recognition.
Later, speakers discussed confidence and observed its importance when rising through the ranks, building and running a business, and in networking.
One speaker said that confidence is a requirement for success, while another shared the advice she received early in her career: “Whatever you do, just be confident, and don’t screw up.”
Speakers reflected on the importance of preparedness in bringing about this confidence, and one panellist said that this confidence “doesn’t come easy for a lot of women”.
“For me, confidence comes when I am prepared”, she said, “it also comes when you are authentic to yourself and vocalise what your thoughts are.”
“In order to be truly confident, you have to make sure nobody takes your power away. If you are hosting a meeting, you need to host it. Sit at the head of the table and stop people from talking over you.”
She concluded: “It’s difficult and hard to navigate, but if you approach it in the right way, it is instrumental in building your confidence.”
Another important part of continuing progression is ensuring you have a passion for your craft. A panellist said it was easy to lose this passion when working too hard.
One speaker said that passion is “critical” in everything. She explained: “It’s all intertwined, it’s infectious.”
Speaking to a room of majority women as a growing movement of diversity and inclusion takes over the industry, the speaker said: “Everyone in this room is accomplished, and has probably had a tough time getting here. It’s passion that drives you.”
In a panel, discussing women and diversity in the securities financing industry, speakers talked about the importance of networking, their driving forces in the industry, mentorship, confidence, and cognitive and observable diversity.
One speaker, reflecting on her career, said that her driving force has been to “learn more” and “be the best I can be”.
She expressed the importance of taking risks in her career and expressed the hope that others in the industry would follow that ethos.
“In terms of turning points throughout my career, there have been times that I have taken risks, that’s when everything has paid off”, she said, “take calculated risks, even in times that they don’t seem to be obvious.”
Another speaker discussed how one of the worst mistakes she made in her career was not taking the aforementioned advice.
She explained: “I worked hard and was good at what I did, but I didn’t ask for new positions. Part of me thought somebody would notice my hard work and give me a new position.”
“You need to speak up to let your managers know you are interested in other positions. To assume that will happen on its own is probably a mistake.”
Another speaker said that people should “challenge the status quo” and “ask difficult questions”.
The speaker remarked that firms should be “cultivating an opportunity to allow people to step back from their day to day, think about what they are doing, and cultivate an interest in something new, then they can take the risk.”
For some people, mentorship and sponsorship is a good avenue to aid in gaining recognition.
One speaker explained the benefits of mentorship and sponsorship, especially for women and diverse candidates.
Another speaker said that she had benefited from two sponsors who had championed her career and helped her gain recognition.
Later, speakers discussed confidence and observed its importance when rising through the ranks, building and running a business, and in networking.
One speaker said that confidence is a requirement for success, while another shared the advice she received early in her career: “Whatever you do, just be confident, and don’t screw up.”
Speakers reflected on the importance of preparedness in bringing about this confidence, and one panellist said that this confidence “doesn’t come easy for a lot of women”.
“For me, confidence comes when I am prepared”, she said, “it also comes when you are authentic to yourself and vocalise what your thoughts are.”
“In order to be truly confident, you have to make sure nobody takes your power away. If you are hosting a meeting, you need to host it. Sit at the head of the table and stop people from talking over you.”
She concluded: “It’s difficult and hard to navigate, but if you approach it in the right way, it is instrumental in building your confidence.”
Another important part of continuing progression is ensuring you have a passion for your craft. A panellist said it was easy to lose this passion when working too hard.
One speaker said that passion is “critical” in everything. She explained: “It’s all intertwined, it’s infectious.”
Speaking to a room of majority women as a growing movement of diversity and inclusion takes over the industry, the speaker said: “Everyone in this room is accomplished, and has probably had a tough time getting here. It’s passion that drives you.”
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