Our Industry Should Be Invested in Diversity

Of the various challenges and risks facing the financial services industry, there is one I’m reminded of every time I look in the mirror.

The faces of our clients look different today than they did just twenty years ago. Even as wealth in our society is increasingly created and controlled by women and people with diverse ethnic or cultural backgrounds, our industry remains predominantly white and male – particularly its leaders.

If our talent doesn’t resemble or reflect the people we want as clients, is it reasonable to expect that they’ll believe we can understand the experiences, perspectives and backgrounds that shape their philosophical views and financial needs? Is it realistic for us to believe that a concentration of demographically similar people – many with similar backgrounds, experiences and educations – will be able to see situations from different perspectives and provide the best possible solutions?

I recently had the opportunity to share my thoughts on the importance of diversity and inclusion to the financial services industry with InvestmentNews. The article also explains why I chose to partner with a firm that shares my passion on this topic. I encourage you to check it out.