On the shortlist: Rachel Kennedy

Rachel Kennedy has been nominated for two awards this year – Future Leader Award and Volunteer of the Year Award-  in recognition of her exceptional leadership, energy, and commitment to advancing gender equality in financial services and technology. As co-chair of WIBF Scotland, she has delivered more than 15 events that created visible, inclusive spaces for women in underrepresented roles, while also playing a key role in the 26th Awards for Achievement. Rachel is a client account manager for Synechron, a global consulting firm. She is responsible for leading Synechron’s activity in Scotland and supporting wider business development across the UK. Prior to Synechron, Rachel was the events and relationships manager at Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE).

Described by colleagues as a “powerhouse,” Rachel combines resilience, creativity, and determination with her wider industry contributions, from Synechron’s Women’s ERG to Smart Works Scotland, to inspire lasting change across sectors.

Read on to find out more…

“To be recognised for it by being shortlisted just feels amazing… I feel really inspired and think the industry is most definitely in safe hands.”

You’ve been recognised as both a Future Leader and a Volunteer of the Year. What does this dual recognition mean to you personally?

This recognition to me personally is absolutely huge. It is a pleasure to devote so much on my own time to initiatives like WIBF to try to move the needle for the future generation of women coming through but to be recognised for it by being shortlisted just feels amazing. To be considered for Future Leader is massive – when I see the amazing ladies I’m shortlisted alongside, one of them being my good friend Rachel Mann who is absolutely a future leader (!) I feel really inspired and think the industry is most definitely in safe hands!

As co-chair of WIBF Scotland, you’ve helped deliver major events and initiatives, including the first WIBF Scotland Conference. What has been the most rewarding part of building visibility and community for women in financial services?

Indeed! I think it’s got to be the tangible element so the feedback post event. Someone messaged me once to say their pension went from 6% to 14% after attending an event as they’d spoken to their employer the next day and that was a real win. Hearing people talk about their connects and they say ‘Oh, we actually met at X WIBF event’ is always nice and just sometimes, in a busy room, stepping back and listening to the sound of 100 people coming together who want to drive change, network and build life long friendships – so special.

“If we all just did a little bit, it would be a big bit to drive change,”

Colleagues describe you as a “powerhouse” with energy and resilience, even through personal challenges. What drives you to keep giving so much of yourself to these initiatives?

Well, aren’t they incredibly kind – and I felt a bit teary reading this question. Given I lost my Dad this year who was such an advocate for a fairer world for all, I’m massively passionate about not only the social mobility piece but the importance of role models at home. I was lucky enough to grow up with two amazing role models in my parents – my mum a very strong women and my dad was the ultimate feminist!  I think I give so much of myself to these initiatives as ‘if you see a need, you should create it’ and there is definitely a need for WIBF and the other forums I’m part of.

I think despite personal challenges this year, I’ve had such a buzz from the results our events and initiatives have had and that’s really given me a fire in my belly to do more. I always love the thought of ‘if we all just did a little bit, it would be a big bit’ to drive change! I also think you shouldn’t underestimate the power of those you work with, in your organisation and in other industry forums – I’ve had such great support from people in the last 6 months which I’m eternally grateful for – many of which have been within the WIBF community.

A big part of your work has been creating safe, visible spaces for women in underrepresented roles. Why is this so important to you, and what difference have you seen it make?

Someone said on a panel recently ‘Role Models – you don’t get the choice,’ and I love this. Role models don’t say ‘hey, I think I’ll be a role model!’ It is dictated by others. By having more women in the roles traditionally underrepresented, these women show that it is possible. ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ is so true so it’s important that we have women in all facets of financial services and a diverse group of women at that! I’ve seen this make a HUGE difference – you always hear the penny drop at a panel event ‘Oh, you worked in a leadership position and balanced caring responsibilities?’ That makes it viable for me. ‘Oh, you worked flexibly to accommodate picking up your children and moved to Asia when a big opportunity arose’ ‘Oh, I can do’ and I think it’s that story telling piece and being open and vulnerable that really helps those in underrepresented roles believe anything is possible.

“Role models don’t say ‘hey, I think I’ll be a role model!’ It is dictated by others. ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ is so true.”

As a Future Leader, how do you see yourself growing into the kind of leader the industry needs in the next 5–10 years?

There are a so people in the industry that I’d love to call out and say I’d love to adopt their leadership style – but we don’t have time and to be honest, I think I’ve previously told them all! I think authentic leadership is important and certainly like to think of myself as authentic. I also would love to grow into the kind of leader who people at my age and stage and aspiring leaders look up to – I’ve always been really lucky to have a lot of those…

Volunteering has been central to your journey – from Smart Works Scotland to delivering WIBF events. What have you learned about leadership through your volunteer work that you bring back into your professional role?

I think the most important thing I’ve learnt is never assume. Never assume that because someone has small children, they’d prefer a breakfast event. Never assume that because someone is juggling other commitments that they wouldn’t want to come and volunteer. Never assume that because someone contributes to group discussions they’d be comfortable to be on a panel. I think being conscious and actively ASKING people what they want and what’s important to them is really important.  In terms of what I bring back to my professional role, I think the thing I take back into my professional role is how lucky I am both within WIBF and internally within my organisation to work with great teams – diversity of thought and experience and styles and at this stage in my career, I’m trying to constantly be a sponge and soak it all up and learn as much as I can!

Finally, what advice would you give to other young professionals who want to step up as both future leaders and volunteers, making an impact beyond their day job?

Go for it – I am such an advocate for extra curricular activities. I think anything that can build your external network is always super important and for so many reasons – to gain valuable industry insight, to externally mentor you (someone who is a sounding board away from your day job and may give different perspectives) and also each organisation does things differently – what a great chance to learn from others. Many a time have I watched someone create a PPT deck or give a presentation and thought ‘Oh, I’m stealing that phrase!’ and usually why I can always be seen with a notepad at events, scribbling!