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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.

This post has been updated to reflect the latest content.

The 2024 SIFMA Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Summit

SIFMA hosted the Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Summit from June 11-12, 2024, bringing together business executives from every facet of the capital markets to broadly understand how diversity and inclusion shapes today’s workforce and plays an imperative role in how we serve our clients. We heard from industry executives, regulators, communications leaders, AI experts, and diversity practitioners as they discussed best practices and innovative solutions to the toughest challenges that are having a real impact on the industry and the communities we serve. Read the Top 5 Takeaways from our enlightening conversations and view the full photo album on Flickr.

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Featured Podcast

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  • Podcast

    Recruiting and Empowering Military Veterans

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with Academy Securities Founder and CEO, Chance Mims to discuss the nation’s first veteran-owned and operated firm and their commitment to recruiting and empowering military veterans. Chance shares insights on Academy Securities’ social mission to combat veteran unemployment including prioritizing female veterans and the focus on finding nontraditional Wall Street pedigrees. He highlights how the industry can harness similar recruitment strategies by having veterans contribute to the entire process from interviewing to hiring to mentorship.

  • Podcast

    Leveraging Diverse Mentors and Sponsors in Career Development

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with PIMCO’s Head of Public Policy, Libby Cantrill, for a discussion on Libby’s career path starting from what sparked her initial interest in finance to her time on Capitol Hill and the journey that has led to her current role at PIMCO.

  • Podcast

    Developing Emotional Connections to Issues of DE&I

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with John Taft, Vice Chair of Baird to discuss what it takes to be a committed DE&I advocate and how having an emotional connection is critical when it comes to doing the work that is necessary to make a difference.

  • Podcast

    Prioritizing DE&I as a Business Imperative with a Client-Centered Focus

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with HSBC Senior Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Mark Steffensen to discuss how the firm prioritizes DE&I as a business imperative with a client-centered focus. The core of HSBC as an international bank is multiculturalism and helping to connect clients from all over the world to capital and to one another is essential.

  • Podcast

    Enhancing a Culture of Inclusion

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with Charles Schwab Managing Director, Head of International Services, Lisa Kidd Hunt to discuss the ways that Charles Schwab is still creating a more inclusive environment 50 years later with its original vision to bring more people from Main Street into the world of investing.

  • Podcast

    Leveraging a Data-Driven Approach for DE&I

    In this episode of our SIFMA DE&I Podcast, we sat down with AllianceBernstein Global Head of D&I, Janessa Cox-Irvin, to discuss how the firm has defined and tracked success of its diversity strategy by instituting a listening tour coupled with a data-driven approach.

  • Podcast

    Dedicating DE&I to LGBTQ+ and Other Underrepresented Communities

    In the first episode of our 2023-2024 SIFMA DE&I Podcast and to honor Pride Month, SIFMA's Executive Vice President and Head of DE&I, Cheryl Crispen sat down with JPMorgan Chase Managing Director and Global Head of LGBTQ+ Affairs, Brad Baumoel, for a discussion on the firm’s DE&I centers of excellence, in particular for LGBTQ+, and how they deliver impact for underrepresented and marginalized communities.

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  • Blog

    Celebrating Women’s History Month

    To celebrate Women’s History Month, SIFMA sought to spotlight several of its firms that have recognized the many significant milestones achieved by women in capital markets. As March comes to a close, below we highlight the pivotal moments of diversity, inclusion and advancement of women from just some of our firms.

  • Blog

    Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

    Hispanic Americans have made countless contributions to America’s culture, history and economy. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, learn more about what just some SIFMA member firms are doing to increase diversity, invest in Hispanic communities and acknowledge the extraordinary impact of Hispanic Americans on the financial services industry.

  • 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.”

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