Inspiring Girls Singapore’s Post

Who are the people who've offered you great career advice? Linda French, now at JPMorganChase is a terrific former colleague from our Investment Company Institute days who shared her insights at a recent 100 Women In Finance event. Here are eight particularly smart takeaways. 1. Get comfortable with constantly seeking feedback, absorbing it, and responding to it. Be truly open. This is a superpower that will transform your career trajectory. 2. Especially early career, find people to work for and with who have a teaching mentality. 3. Never burn any bridges. You will find yourself crossing paths again with people in the future, and by maintaining ties you greatly strengthen your network and list of advocates. 4. Marry your energy to the job. Identify what you’re passionate about and look for opportunities that enable you to express your interests, because it will bring out the best in you. 5. Find problems to solve, and solve them. 6. Take in information from a wide range of sources. Use that to move from general conclusions to specific recommendations. 7. Constantly challenge yourself to think about what’s next. 8. Be useful to trade bodies. Get involved and engaged in leading policy dialogue. It was great to see Linda at this event, and see Jennifer Choi at another one a few days ago! I love following what members of the ICI staff "alumni network" are doing, as well as the innovative work so many currently at ICI carry on. #careeradvice #womeninfinance #advocacy

If you're in the asset management or private equity industry (and in the NYC area on Sept 5th) please join my colleagues Aalok Virmani and Rachel Myung and the AAAIM for this great conversation on diversity in the investment management industry. Let's be real, while there are some great success stories, as an industry it is still very much a "work-in-progress." And representation and diversity is profitable, just take a look at the latest Midas list! No reason same can't apply to the rest of the investment management industry.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a networking evening hosted by JPMorgan Brussels, focused on supporting young women interested in building careers in finance. It was inspiring to see so many talented, motivated young women eager to seek advice on starting their journeys in the financial world. Two key insights stood out to me: 1 - Applying Despite Imperfections: Many attendees shared their hesitation about applying for roles because they didn’t meet every requirement in the job listing. My advice? Apply anyway! Meeting every requirement isn’t always essential, and self-doubt should never hold you back. Women, in particular, can sometimes underestimate their abilities. I wish we could offer self-confidence courses to young girls to help them grow with the same confidence as their male counterparts! 2 - Defining a Career Path: I was also asked several times, How do I reach a specific role in finance? My answer is simple: know your strengths (tip - it is often something you consider 'just normal and/or natural') and seek roles where those strengths will be assets. Craft your personal story around this unique ability—your Unique Selling Point (USP)—and go for it. Employers are looking for candidates who are self-aware and know how to leverage their strengths. Thanks to Jehane Rousseaux for organising and Tanguy Piret for inviting me! #womeninfinance #womeninpayments #womeninassetmanagement #womenintreasury #JPMAM #JPMAMGloballiquidity #USP #startingyourcareer #SolvayBrussels #WomeninBusiness #JPMorgan #1stjob #startinginfinance

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Raymone Jackson, CLU, MBA, FLMI, ACS of T. Rowe Price spoke with me about #DEI at the firm and the larger asset management industry in general, particularly as DEI has increasingly taken a backseat amidst retrenchments and cost-cutting across industries. Being based in Singapore, I was also intrigued by how firms address the cultural differences between regions! Some key points from my latest article: 📉 The percentage of companies that fund DEI functions with dedicated personnel and a cohesive strategy is expected to fall to 20% in 2024 from 33% in 2022 in part because of budget cuts that disproportionately affect DEI teams, according to market research company Forrester. 🧑⚖️ DEI leaders are on the lookout for the impact of the Supreme Court overturning affirmative action for college campuses. “It rendered illegal, largely speaking, using race as a single category for admission into school... So that's caused companies to say, in some cases, can we have quotas, or can we have a program focused on just women or just a person of color,” he explained. “So I think those are some of the pieces that legally have created some challenges for firms to take a look at.” 🌏 How you approach inclusion in Asia or in Sydney, in Tokyo will look different than what we might do in New York City, he said. One area that differs between regions, for instance, is what mentorship and sponsorship may look like, he said. For instance, the way people advocate for themselves in one region may look different in others. “If we're doing a performance evaluation, some of the language (where) we may say, ‘this is how you should talk about your accomplishments for the year.' (But) maybe they may not be as comfortable being boastful, or may feel as being boastful to talk about all the great things you've done,” he said, referring to the situation in Asia as an example. Thanks, Raymone for the excellent interview! Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gPdtVWdH

We're proud to share this insightful interview with our Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Raymone Jackson, CLU, MBA, FLMI, ACS, conducted by Natalie Koh for Pensions & Investments. Raymone discusses the evolving landscape of #DEI in asset management, addressing challenges such as budget constraints and legal considerations. He also highlights the importance of adapting DEI strategies to different cultural contexts, particularly in Asia. Read the full interview to learn more about T. Rowe Price's commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace globally. #TRowePrice 

We're proud to share this insightful interview with our Global Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Raymone Jackson, CLU, MBA, FLMI, ACS, conducted by Natalie Koh for Pensions & Investments. Raymone discusses the evolving landscape of #DEI in asset management, addressing challenges such as budget constraints and legal considerations. He also highlights the importance of adapting DEI strategies to different cultural contexts, particularly in Asia. Read the full interview to learn more about T. Rowe Price's commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace globally. #TRowePrice 

It’s exciting to see Philippine corporations evolve from compliance-based DEI to truly human-centered diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging approaches. They are purposefully going beyond metrics and are daring to ask themselves, “How else can we make sure that the humans in our organization thrive as the authentic versions of themselves?” It’s challenging because it requires change, but they recognize that it’s what’s needed to build truly sustainable, thriving organizations. It all starts with the openness to look within and talk—really converse and connect with each other—over topics that might be uncomfortable at first, but are truly resonant. To ensure that real, lived experiences and diverse voices are heard, beyond numbers and checklists. We’re grateful to have been given the time and trust to journey into this process with some of the country’s largest, most high-impact companies. If you’re still at the beginning of your DEI journey and need support in using a more human-centered approach to creating a more inclusive work culture, drop me a line. We’re here to listen and meet you where you are, then let’s figure out how to take your next steps, together. Candice Quimpo Imaginable Impact #DEI #diversityequityinclusion #DEIB #diversityequityinclusionbelonging #inclusionatwork #inclusiveworkculture #Philippines

When attempting to tackle some of the biggest challenges in our world, curiosity and vulnerability have oftentimes open doors to opportunity I would not have fathomed. Our ability to build inclusive and equitable communities hinges on our willingness to embrace curiosity and vulnerability. These age-old virtues, deeply rooted in the Zen Buddhist concept of shoshin, or the "beginner's mindset," invite us to approach each situation with fresh eyes, setting aside our preconceived notions and judgments, which are essential to navigating the complexities of our modern lives. This mindset is crucial in various aspects of life, whether solving a technological problem, resolving personal conflicts, presenting ideas to diverse markets, or brainstorming new products and services. Curiosity is the driving force that propels us toward understanding and empathy. It prompts us to ask questions, seek out new perspectives, and challenge our assumptions. When we approach others with genuine curiosity, we open ourselves to learning about their experiences, cultures, and viewpoints, which is the foundation of an inclusive environment. For example, in the workplace, by asking questions and mindfully listening, we can uncover unique insights and solutions that we might otherwise overlook. This not only enhances creativity and innovation but also fosters a sense of belonging and respect. Vulnerability is a strength that involves admitting that we don't have all the answers and being open to learning and growth. Embracing vulnerability allows us to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them despite our fear of judgment. This openness creates a safe space for others to share their ideas and experiences, leading to richer, more meaningful interactions. In a diverse team, for instance, leaders who model vulnerability by acknowledging their own limitations and uncertainties can inspire others to do the same. This creates a culture of trust and psychological safety, where team members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and taking creative risks. When curiosity and vulnerability intersect, they create a powerful synergy. Curiosity drives us to explore and understand, while vulnerability allows us to do so although fear of failure or judgment are likely present. Together, they enable us to approach challenges and opportunities with a fresh perspective, cultivating innovation and inclusivity. Consider a sales team, by adopting a beginner's mindset, team members can set aside their assumptions about what strategies will work. Instead, they can engage with customers, ask questions, and listen deeply to their needs and preferences to increase the likelihood of success and demonstrate respect and trust. The virtues of curiosity and vulnerability enables us to navigate challenges with grace, embrace new opportunities with enthusiasm, and create spaces where everyone feels valued and respected.

Thompson Coburn celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! We are pleased to showcase the achievements and contributions of the members within our Asian and South Asian affinity group. Today's Q&A features Mona Patel, a New York associate in the banking and commercial finance group. Q: What advice would you give to those who are just joining our firm as they look to advance their careers? A: For some of us, especially starting out early in our careers, it is not second nature to focus on how we market ourselves or how we are perceived by others. While it is certainly paramount to do the hard work and establish yourself as a reliable, smart and driven team player, my advice would be to make sure to carve out time to re-assess and develop a plan to intentionally drive your career in the direction you want to take it. As a very smart mentor once told me: while your work product does speak for itself, do not assume that everyone knows exactly how great you are or everything you’ve accomplished; sometimes it is necessary to brag about yourself a little! Q: How have your background/influences brought you to this position? A: Growing up in a family and culture that emphasizes strong work ethic and community support, I learned very early on the important role that my family members, friends and colleagues play (and will continue to play) in my personal and professional development and achievements. In a similar way that others spoke up for me and helped me to navigate unfamiliar territory so that I can reach the position I am in today, I enjoy that one of my most important roles is to advocate for my clients and help them navigate complicated and sometimes tricky legal issues. Check out Mona's bio here: https://bit.ly/4dmly3E #APAHM #AAPI #womeninlaw #diversityinlaw #tclaw #bankinglaw #nyassociates

According to People Management Magazine, 75% of black employees and 73% of Asian and Arab employees say skills-based hiring enabled them to access new employment opportunities. 🌎 At Spotted Zebra, we work with leading companies within the financial services sector, helping them create more inclusive and diverse workplaces through #SkillsIntelligence. 💡 Our new article explores the current diversity and inclusion challenges within financial institutions and what can be done to improve. 🚀 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eKDecJRH 🦓 #SkillsBasedHiring #Reskilling #Mobility