Press for Progress

International Women’s Day is a global celebration on March 8th honoring women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. IWD was first observed in 1910 in Copenhagen celebrating Women’s Rights Movement and achieving universal women’s suffrage. The focus this year is to press for progress.

I had the pleasure of attending an IWD event hosted jointly by BNY Mellon and Macquarie featuring three distinguished female panels in Banking. Ange Burt, COO of the Americas, Macquarie; Renee LaRoche-Morris, COO of Investment Management BNY Mellon; and Ouma Sananikone, Board Director, Macquarie Infrastructure Corp (USA) all shared their journeys, insights, and core values.

Let’s Start with Statistics

Ouma pointed out that there are 27 Female CEOs in Fortunes 500 companies as of January 2018 (a whopping 5.4% female CEOs and 50% increase from 2017). She added “there are more male CEOs named John than the total number of female CEOs”. Women are paid on average 78 cents on a dollar earned by men which translates to additional three months of work just to catch up. Black Women on average makes about 68 cents on a dollar and about 40 to 60 cents for Ethnic, Hispanic, and Native American women. “At this rate, gender equality will not be achieved for another 100 years” she said “Not in yours nor my life time”. The statistics are daunting. Yet, these women continue to achieve their professional endeavors. Below are some of the core values they all shared.

Stay True to Yourself

Ouma was appointed CEO for an asset management firm at age 28. After decades in banking and working in a male dominated industry, not once she tries to fit in or in her words “act like a man”. Despite initial perception as a timid Asian woman. She refuse to compromise her character/ her true self to fit a mole and choose to focus on driving and delivering results instead. Her experience was more rewarding and meaningful because she was able to stay true to herself.

Just Keep Going

“As a short (about 5 feet 2) black woman” Renee began “I was no where near the perception of a Wall Street banker”. The challenge to overcome perception had casted over her professional career where she constantly finds herself fighting to justify her place. She recalled a time when she was about 8 months into her pregnancy and working late. Her male colleague decided that was an appropriate time to discuss her work ethics and offer guidance. She desperately wanted to tell the man off but her response to the man was “time to go home”. It was more important to redirect and focus on building herself instead of being on defense. Today, Renee is a proud champion of female breadwinners and a mentor to many. Her message was clear. Do not give up, do not give in, and just keep going.

Set Quality Standards

Like many professional women, Ange faces the challenge of balancing work and family life especially given her youngest child only a few months old. “I have a standard with the way I do things”. She learned early on to manage expectations and set a limit/boundaries on what she can and are able to offer. It is important to set quality standards in life couple with a strong supporting system at home to derive further success and happiness.