President’s Message – Championing Women in Finance: A Mentorship Call to Action for IWD

As we come together to mark International Women’s Day, we’re also celebrating a key milestone: the third anniversary of our Accelerating Change Together (ACT) programme. Our aim is clear – to develop tangible strategies and push for policy changes that enhance women’s roles and advancement in the finance sector. The influence of ACT has grown significantly, becoming a cornerstone in our dialogue with major industry players and shaping our efforts towards fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

This year, we’re excited to showcase “The Inclusive Individual,” a groundbreaking report by Dr. Grace Lordan from The Inclusion Initiative at LSE, co-authored with Yolanda Blavo Grady. This research cuts to the heart of inclusivity, encouraging each of us to contribute to a workplace where everyone is recognized and valued.

Thursday night, I had the pleasure of opening a Mastercard-hosted event where Dr. Lordan shared her findings and moderated a compelling panel of industry leaders discussing the report’s impact. This work, combined with our ACT insights, reinforces the vital link between gender diversity, inclusivity, and productivity – a link that is essential for addressing the economic and environmental challenges of our time. My heartfelt thanks go to  Dr. Lordan and Yolanda Blavo Grady, our sponsors, and all WIBF members who have contributed to this vital work.

Our International Women’s Day Action Ask: Mentoring

This International Women’s Day, I’m making a special appeal that resonates with our theme: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress. We’re spotlighting mentoring as a simple yet impactful action.

Mentoring is a two-way street of growth, understanding, and empowerment. It provides mentees with a route to career progression and network expansion, bolstering their problem-solving skills and offering impartial guidance. For mentors, it’s an opportunity to refine leadership skills, fulfil personal career goals, and leave a lasting impact on our industry’s future. Our WIBF mentoring programme for mentors is accessible to all, requiring no membership and promising substantial outcomes with just an hour’s commitment monthly over six months. It addresses the vital need for external networks among women, providing insights on navigating across organisations, widening professional connections, and clarifying career paths, thus laying the foundation for a more inclusive financial sector.

We’re inviting you not just to mentor but to join a movement – a movement that prioritises inclusion, champions diversity, and invests in the vast potential of women in our field. Sign up today!

As we embrace this critical moment, let’s renew our pledge not only to invest in women but to actively support their growth and inclusion.

We’ll be posting about mentoring and providing useful resources for mentors over the next month. Do keep an eye on our LinkedIn account and next week the weekly digest will be a mentoring special edition.

Thank you for standing with Women in Banking and Finance.

Here’s to using this International Women’s Day as a catalyst for a more inclusive future!

Anna Lane