Pictured from left to right: Ayah Bdeir, Founder and CEO of littleBits; Sonia Gardner, President, Managing Partner and a Co-Founder of Avenue Capital, Jill Schlesinger, Business Analyst for CBS News (Moderator); Katherine Phillips, Professor of Leadership & Ethics, Columbia Business School; Dina Dublon, Former CFO at JPMorgan; Member of the boards of directors at Accenture, Deutsche Bank, Microsoft and PepsiCo. Photo: Courtesy of Deutsche Bank
The financial services world took over Midtown Manhattan as the 20th Annual Women on Wall Street celebrated women in this highly visible industry. The event was attended by 2,220 women who have helped shape and continue to drive change on Wall Street. This year’s event was held at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square and the excitement in the air was electric.
Jill Schlesinger, CBS News Business Analyst, moderated a panel of four outstanding women on Wall Street. She had the room laughing with her quips and engaging personality. Featured panelists included Ayah Bdeir, Founder and CEO of littleBits; Dina Dublon, Director PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, Microsoft Corporation, and PepsiCo Inc.; Sonia Gardner, President, Managing Partner, and Co-Founder, Avenue Capital Group; and Katherine W. Phillips, Paul Calello Professor of Leadership & Ethics and Senior Vice Dean, Columbia Business School. The highly acclaimed panel provided insight into their experiences and at times, a bird’s eye view of the introduction and evolution of the acceptance of women on Wall Street. Dublon stressed that women can’t show what they can do, if no one gives them a chance. It’s important to be front and center, and to look to senior management for mentorship.
The featured speaker, Maria Bartiromo, is an Anchor and Global Markets Editor at FOX Business Network on the FOX News Channel. She shared funny and poignant stories of being the first on-air television personality to anchor on the floor of the NYSE. Coincidentally, she is also marking a milestone with 20 years in the industry— a true pioneer when it comes to women and journalism as well as a respected leader in the financial sector.
Panelist Dublon was thoughtful on her commentary regarding the rise of women in a male-dominated industry and spoke candidly about raising children with a demanding career. Her acknowledgement of the challenges was eye-opening and something that most of the women in the room could relate to.
The keynote speaker was a showstopper, to put it mildly. The speaker was Shonda Rhimes, the Creator and Executive Producer of several popular TV shows including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” and the Executive Producer of the new number-one hit, “How to Get Away with Murder.” With a one, two and 12-year-old, she knows firsthand the challenges of having a demanding career and being a parent who is present in her children’s lives. As the panel acknowledged, Rhimes reinforced the idea that “having it all” may not be possible. She wanted the audience to know that the word “failure” should also be a part of the discussion when speaking about balancing career, family, relationships and more. Sometimes a mother or parent has to make the decision to miss out on a recital or other parental obligation in order to tend to career matters. Instead of making an excuse, she suggests that women own this “failure.” The opposite can be said when a work-related task or meeting can’t be attended because of a parental or family obligation. She encouraged the audience to own their failures and to not make apologies. She stressed that admitting to a missed event or obligation is part of the role of a parent and career woman. Sometimes disappointment can happen. Rhimes also advised the audience to stop wasting time talking. Instead, just DO!
Deutsche Bank has invested in women at a senior level. Their team was very enthused to host an event that started with less than 200 women at the first WOWS event. The executive team was on hand to welcome attendees and to offer insight and inspiration from some of the males that have embraced the advancement and inclusion of women on Wall Street. It was an event that gave hope to women who are raising children in a technologically and financially driven world.
-Denise Courter, DOWNTOWN Lifestyle and Family Editor and Founder of FiDi Families
