On the shortlist: Lucy Ellis-Keeler

Lucy Ellis-Keeler has been shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding leadership as Co-Chair of WIBF’s Future Leaders Shadow Board (FLSB), following her earlier recognition as Volunteer of the Month in September 2024.

Through her dedication, insight and collaborative spirit, Lucy has played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the Shadow Board — empowering emerging women leaders and amplifying their voices across the financial services industry. Colleagues describe her as a driving force whose commitment to inclusivity and innovation perfectly reflects WIBF’s core values.

Under Lucy’s co-leadership, the Shadow Board has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as a genuine strategic partner to WIBF’s Management Board and a model for how volunteer-led initiatives can shape meaningful change. Her focus on practical impact, steady improvement and creating pathways for the next generation has inspired others to lead with purpose, proving that when women support one another, progress accelerates.

We caught up with Lucy to discover more…

What does it mean to you personally to be shortlisted for Volunteer of the Year?

After three years volunteering with WIBF, including two as Co-Chair of the Future Leaders Shadow Board and now serving on the Leadership Council as Secretariat, this shortlist means a great deal. It feels like a thank you to the Shadow Board team and to everyone who trusted us with real influence, and it acknowledges the many after-hours evenings spent at a laptop turning ideas into delivery. For me, it is a reminder that volunteer led, action oriented work that connects people and follows through can move the dial. I have seen first hand what happens when emerging leaders are trusted with real responsibility, and this recognition reflects that people centred, steady improvement approach and the power of joining the dots.

What achievement are you most proud of during your time in this role?

I’m most proud that the Future Leaders Shadow Board has consistently been a strong voice for change and has grown into a genuine strategic partner to the Management Board. This has been possible because of the incredible foundation built by our alumni community, whose ideas, mentoring and ongoing support have shaped the culture from the very start.

Working alongside my Co-Chair, Lauren Cassells, our Governance Lead and an amazing team of volunteers, we created a practical toolkit and clear positioning to share our work more widely. This included simple playbooks for governance rhythms, research and communications, which have allowed others to replicate and build on what works. At the same time, we focused on growing key communities, including the Student Engagement Strategy and SES Awards, the Future Leaders Network, and a new cross-mentoring link between them.

One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing so many FLSB members recognised through industry-wide awards, which really highlights the impact of our work. A personal highlight was sharing our ACT Research on a global stage at One Young World in Belfast. With Imogen Gammidge and Lucy Rawles now leading, I’m genuinely excited to see how the board continues to grow from here.

Why do you think it is important for organisations like WIBF to keep pushing boundaries?

WIBF is an incredible platform for driving change, and I’ve always believed progress comes from ambition paired with discipline. I’m slightly obsessive about making small, incremental improvements and getting 1% better every day. From leading the Shadow Board to now supporting the Chair on the Leadership Council, I’ve seen how real impact happens when ideas are turned into delivery.

Pushing boundaries matters because the industry is constantly evolving. For WIBF, that means testing new ways of working, sharing what we learn and landing the change- which is why our ACT Research programme is so impactful. Whether through championing the shadow board model, building cross-firm communities, pushing forward widens access to leadership, which ultimately results in better commercial outcomes.

From your perspective, what do women in the early stages of their careers most need to thrive in financial services?

In my view, anyone starting their career need four things delivered consistently to succeed: access, advocacy, community and future-ready skills.

Access and visibility means providing stretch opportunities and seats in decision-making forums so talent can develop and be seen.

Sponsorship is essential, with leaders using their capital to open doors and actively advocate for emerging talent.

Community comes through cross-firm networks like the Student Engagement Strategy and the Future Leaders Network, which build confidence, peer support and a sense of belonging.

Skills – creating cultures where questions are welcomed and learning is encouraged.

What have you gained personally and professionally from being part of the Shadow Board leadership?

Being part of the Shadow Board has genuinely shaped both my professional and personal life. Professionally, it’s given me the chance to expand my network and develop my skills at the same time. I’ve had exposure to board-level strategy, governance and external platforms, and I’ve seen that experience translate directly into stronger performance and greater confidence in my day-to-day role.

People often ask how I find the time, but the truth is that I genuinely enjoy it. Volunteering with WIBF has always felt energising rather than draining, and the more I put in, the more I get back.

On a personal level, it’s been incredibly meaningful to dedicate time to a cause I care deeply about. Along the way, I’ve made real friendships and built a sense of community within the industry that I didn’t have before. It’s been rewarding, grounding and a defining part of my journey over the past few years.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering with WIBF, particularly younger women who might be unsure about stepping into leadership roles?

My biggest advice is to say “why not me” and keep at it. When I first considered volunteering with WIBF, I’d already been working with a non-profit focused on mentoring for a couple of years, but I didn’t feel experienced enough to step into a leadership role with WIBF. My former manager, Abisola Sherwood, simply told me to go for it – which gave me the confidence boost I needed – and I did.

I applied for a couple of different roles and made time to grab coffees with people because I wanted to find a space where I could genuinely add value and make an impact, but also one that aligned with what I wanted to get out of the experience. Volunteering has to be worth your time, so it’s important to be intentional.

Once you’ve found that space, set a measurable goal and deliver something tangible. Find a sponsor and a small support network who will champion you, and do the same for others. Use the WIBF pillars as your compass: connect, educate, inspire and empower. Be consistent, stay curious, and always ask whose voice isn’t here.

You can find out more and join WIBF’s Future Leader Network here.