Study after study has revealed the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce. The pandemic dealt a major economic setback in the fight for gender equity, as women suffered 55% of job losses due to COVID-19, while others were forced to drop out of the workforce to manage increased household responsibilities. Also, let’s not forget the pandemic’s emotional toll. The number of women who reported mental health impacts from COVID-19 was three times that of men.
Despite these challenges, women across the financial sector have shown a true sense of resiliency and resourcefulness amid the pandemic as they look to regain lost ground. In recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8, the Philadelphia Chapter of Women in ETFs hosted a panel discussion featuring four inspiring females who work in financial services.
These women turned challenge into opportunity and embarked on new beginnings during the dark period caused by the pandemic. Nicole Perkins, partner at Gresham Partners and author of “Truly Rich: An Insider’s Guide to Building Financial and Emotional Wealth,” served as the keynote speaker. She was joined by Jennifer Hasbrouck, head of marketing at Amplify ETFs; Kristy DelMuto, senior director, strategic marketing at LLR Partners; and Amy Linder, global head of people at S&P Dow Jones Indices.
The Women in ETFs panel discussion unearthed a number of valuable lessons for women in finance as they balance personal/professional endeavors, consider a career move or build stronger connections with their teams in a hybrid world. Below are just a few key takeaways to keep in your back pocket as you move through your career:
Customize success
Far too often, women become overly focused on climbing the proverbial “ladder” — the traditional trajectory of a successful career. Before moving to Amplify ETFs, Hasbrouck shared that she took a step back to really evaluate what success looks like to her. It’s not about how people perceive your success, she said. It’s about customizing success.
As women who wear many hats (mother, daughter, sister, friend, caregiver, etc.), we should understand and embrace the idea that success is going to look different from one person to the next and during different stages of life.
Bloom where you are planted
Amid the “Great Resignation,” many women have been presented with new, exciting job opportunities. The timing may be right for you to make a move, but it may not be — and that’s OK. Before making a decision, evaluate where you are in your life and what career path is going to work best for you professionally and personally.
DelMuto shared that she used the pandemic as an opportunity to grow and evolve in her existing role. Considering her family and her career thus far at LLR, she’s embraced the opportunity to continue to build on what she’s already created. Staying in a role doesn’t need to be a negative. It can be a chance to continue to bloom where you’re planted.
Remember the value of human interaction
While many of us have returned to the office in some capacity, the success of virtual and hybrid formats for employees during the pandemic has ensured these options are here to stay. No matter how you interact with your team, remember it’s important to explore new ways to make connections.
Linder discussed her experience of starting a new role at S&P Dow Jones Indices remotely, which included onboarding a new CEO. While the pandemic presented an opportunity to build a new skill set in a remote world, she reminded us of the importance of human interaction. Making the extra effort to get to know your co-workers and connect with them on a deeper level will go a long way in cultivating a happy, healthy professional life.
It’s safe to say we’re all eager to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror, but we would be remiss to not take the time to reflect on what we’ve learned. Turning challenge into opportunity is no easy task, but I’m grateful to organizations like Women in ETFs and the many women across the financial sector who have paved the way to success no matter the stumbling blocks.