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Fostering a Diverse & Inclusive Financial Industry

How can we promote diversity, inclusion and parity to shape our workforce and serve our clients?

In this series, Fostering a Diverse & Inclusive Financial Industry, SIFMA teams up with business executives, human resource professionals, diversity practitioners, industry advocates and more to explore how we can promote a diverse and inclusive financial industry.

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Featured Podcast

This post has been updated to reflect the latest content.

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  • Podcast

    Modeling a Culture of Inclusion

    Moderated by Rudy Rodriguez, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Ameriprise and Chair of SIFMA’s Diversity & Inclusion Council, this far-reaching discussion with Penny Pennington of Edward Jones and Suzanne Shank of Siebert, Williams, Shank & Co. explores how these leaders model a culture of inclusion from the c-suite.

  • Podcast

    Breaking Down Barriers

    SIFMA’s Amena Ross, Managing Director of Advocacy, sits down with Samuel A. Ramirez, Jr., President and CEO of Ramirez Asset Management and Senior Managing Director of Samuel A. Ramirez and Company, Inc. to understand how we can break down barriers and foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.

  • Podcast

    Investing in Racial Equity with Goldman Sachs

    In this edition of SIFMA's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) podcast series, SIFMA’s Amena Ross, Managing Director of Advocacy, sat down with Erika Brown, Chief Diversity Officer at Goldman Sachs, about Goldman Sachs' commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the efforts they are making towards achieving racial equity.

  • Podcast

    Intentional Inclusion – The Role of Culture in Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Talent

    For the second podcast in our D&I series, SIFMA’s Amena Ross, Managing Director of Advocacy, sat down with Jim Reynolds, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Loop Capital Markets LLC, to discuss the financial services industry, diversity and inclusion, and how building an intentional company culture can help recruit and retain diverse talent.

  • Podcast

    D&I Initiatives – Opportunities for Positive Impact

    In this first podcast of our Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) series, SIFMA’s Amena Ross, Managing Director of Advocacy, sat down with Edward Jones’ Vanessa Okwuraiwe, Principal of Diversity and Inclusion, to talk about the future of the financial services industry and the innovative D&I programs at Edward Jones. The conversation also highlights the importance of creating a positive and meaningful impact in the communities we serve as well as for our clients and colleagues.

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  • Q&A

    Women in Capital Markets: Lisa Kidd Hunt

    To mark Womens History Month, we're publishing a series on remarkable women in capital markets. Meet Lisa Kidd Hunt of Charles Schwab, who told us tough conversations are some of what she is most grateful for in her career.

  • Q&A

    Women in Capital Markets: Deb Schoneman

    We're celebrating Women's History Month with a series of features on amazing women in capital markets. Meet Deb Schoneman of Piper Sandler, who sat down with us to discuss how she fell in love with the dynamic nature of the business and its people.

  • Blog

    SIFMA Celebrates Black History Month

    As we reflect on Black History Month, SIFMA would like to highlight some of the work our member firms are doing to diversify the industry, invest in Black communities and acknowledge the many accomplishments and extraordinary impact that Black Americans have made on our industry.

  • Blog

    Growing the Pathway into a Firm

    Through our D&I Webinar series, we recently gathered a panel of esteemed leaders from across financial services to discuss talent acquisition and how we, as an industry, can create a more diverse pipeline at all levels within firms. This post by SIFMA's D&I Council shares some of the top takeaways from this candid discussion on talent diversity.

  • Blog

    Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    Research has shown that firms with diverse employment perform better, and an inclusive environment allows for greater collaboration and innovation. Learn about the initiatives and steps being taken to advance diversity and inclusion in the industry.

  • Blog

    The Financial Industry Takes a Stand for Equality and Justice

    SIFMA and our members have long prioritized diversity and inclusion in the financial services industry and we recognize there is much more to do. Diversity and inclusion means building a workforce that represents our entire society, and it also means equality for all and equal justice under the law.

  • Blog

    Making Progress on D&I in Financial Services

    The securities industry recognizes that building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that reflects the diversity of the clients and communities we serve, is both the right thing to do and a business imperative.

  • Blog

    Making Progress on D&I in Financial Services

    In theory, the case for a diverse and inclusive workplace is a simple one. As an Ernst & Young study and guide, “Creating a strong sense of belonging for all,” shows, employees who experience the feeling of belonging at work are more motivated, perform at higher levels, and are physically and mentally healthier.

  • Blog

    A Seat at the Table: D&I in Financial Services

    Diversity and inclusion initiatives remain a top priority for financial services firms. Discussions have moved beyond whether diversity and inclusion are essential to a firm’s success: everyone agrees they are.

  • Blog

    Operations for the Future: Diversity for Success

    At SIFMA’s 2019 Operations Conference & Exhibition, conversations revolved around the evolving role of the operations professional. A pivotal factor in this maturation: diversity and inclusion.

  • Blog

    Diversity & Inclusion in Private Wealth: A Continuing Focus

    Diversity & Inclusion truly was top-of-mind at SIFMA’s 2019 Private Client Conference. Panelists not only discussed the necessity of incorporating D&I initiatives at their firms but also prominently highlighted the changing face of the industry, as 40% of conference speakers were female.

  • Blog

    Making Diversity & Inclusion an Intentional Reality

    Research has proven that a company’s bottom line, whether in financial services or another industry sector, is directly influenced by the diversity of its leadership. To achieve diversity that reflects and is better able to serve an equally diverse clientele requires clear commitment and intentional effort towards diversity and inclusion.

  • Blog

    Investing in Diversity is an Investment in our Economy and Society as a Whole

    Financial industry leaders, regulators and corporate stakeholders play a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture to achieve a more inclusive and effective workforce. At SIFMA's Annual Meeting, the Honorable Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, joined moderator Larry E. Thompson, DTCC Vice Chairman & DTCC Deriv/SERV Chairman of the Board, and a panel of chief executive officers to discuss how the actions and leadership of a firm’s executive team can bring meaningful change.

  • Blog

    The Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion

    The business case for diversity and inclusion was top of mind at SIFMA’s 2016 Annual Meeting The Capital Markets Conference. Panelists touched on the rapidly changing demographic landscape and the need for companies to adapt in kind. Congresswoman Terri Sewell addressed the audience, saying, “The success of our nation’s financial sector hinges on its most important asset - its people.”