Advancing Black Women in Financial Services

Bruin’s first in person event of 2022, “Advancing Black Women in Financial Services” was recently held in partnership with networking group Black Women in Asset Management (BWAM), an industry association that promotes the retention and advancement of Black women working in asset management.

Attendees from across financial services came together to learn about the latest research on creating inclusive organisations for Black women, how to remove the barriers blocking progression in the industry and BWAM’s transformative Leadership Accelerator programme.

We were delighted to be joined by Chair and Co-Founder of BWAM, Jacqueline Taiwo, who took part in panel discussion moderated by Emily Ayre, MD of Bruin, with representatives from Delta Alpha Psi and Ferdisha Snagg, Counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, to discuss the impact of the BWAM Leadership Accelerator course and perspectives on how senior leaders in asset management can create work environments that provide equitable opportunities for Black women to advance and thrive.

Dr Manjari Prashar and Ik Iroche shared remarkable insight from Delta’s research on the barriers faced by professionals of colour in the workplace, referencing recent contributions made to The Parker Review of Race & Ethnicity on Boards, The Bank of England Court Review of Ethnic Diversity and Inclusion and The Law Society

Ferdisha, a participant in last year’s program, graciously shared how the coaching and training sessions helped her truly own and authentically step into her position as a leader at work and in her field.

BWAM Leadership Accelerator Programme

The BWAM Leadership Accelerator is a half-year transformative leadership programme that will bring together a cohort of high-performing Black women from across the asset management industry (including professional services). The curriculum is evidence-based and designed to accelerate the careers of mid-senior level professionals.

Applications for the 2022 cohort are now open and can be made online here and the Leadership Accelerator brochure is available to download here.

If you would like more information on the Leadership Accelerator programme, visit the BWAM website or email LeadershipAccelerator@bwam.network