Toronto – November 18, 2019 – 100 Women in Finance (“100WF”), a global, practitioner-driven nonprofit organization that serves more than 15,000 professionals in the finance and alternative investment industries, announced at its annual Toronto Gala that it successfully raised more than $80,000 C in gross proceeds in support of its Investing in the Next Generation Initiative, which reaches, inspires, and supports pre-career women of all backgrounds, to become the finance industry’s leadership pipeline. The event further benefited The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Canada, specifically to enable wider participation from young women ages 16-24 in this time-tested youth leadership program.
Pictured (left to right): Heather Killian, Karen Azlen, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell – Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Toronto Gala Co-Chairs Shandi Tocheri and Stephanie Hickmott, HRH The Countess of Wessex, Martha Tredgett and Chair 100WF Toronto Committee Danielle Skipp (missing from photo: Jodi Lum, Sanjana Vasisht, Danielle Goodin).
The Gala Breakfast was attended by HRH The Countess of Wessex, who serves as 100WF’s Global Ambassador of Next Generation initiatives and is involved with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, chairing the Women in Business Group which works to promote the Award.
At the Gala, Her Royal Highness was interviewed by two female students, Anjana Somasundaram and Katherine Starr, regarding her advocacy for gender inclusion in corporate leadership and her advice for young women who aspire to careers in the finance industry.
Pictured (left to right): HRH The Countess of Wessex, being interviewed by students Katherine Starr and Anjana Somasundaram.
A gallery of additional images from 100WF’s 2019 Toronto Gala can be viewed here.
The Toronto Gala Breakfast was held on November 15 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, with the support of leaders from Toronto’s financial services and alternative investment industry. More than 75 youth from Toronto’s local schools attended the event, which was sponsored by CIBC, National Bank Independent Network, RBC, Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel, Polar Asset Management Partners, and iGan Partners along with BloombergSEN, 4Front Capital Partners and The Printing House.
Gala co-chairs Stephanie Hickmott and Shandi Tocheri remarked “It was a significant initiative for 100WF’s Toronto location that couldn’t have been accomplished without the full commitment of our volunteer committee. Everyone was inspired by the support and engagement we received from both the financial community and the diverse youth that attended the event with such enthusiasm.”
100WF’s CEO Amanda Pullinger commented, “100WF’s Toronto Gala Breakfast was a fitting finale to a week of events in New York and Toronto in support and celebration of 100WF’s Investing in the Next Generation initiative. I have been reminded time and again how deeply our mandate resonates with women and men in the finance industry, at all levels and in all roles. Collectively, we understand that investment in tomorrow’s industry leaders is a critical factor in improving women’s representation on investment teams and in executive roles.” She added, “We are deeply grateful for HRH The Countess of Wessex’s tireless support, and the response from the finance community.”
100WF’s New York Gala had been held two days earlier, on November 13. A public announcement regarding that event can be found here.
To support 100WF’s Investing in the Next Generation Initiative, please contact Amanda Pullinger, CEO of 100WF, or kindly click here.
About Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance’s more than 15,000 members strengthen the global finance industry by empowering women to achieve their professional potential at each career stage. Its members inspire, equip and advocate for a new generation of industry leadership, in which women and men serve as investment professionals and executives, equal in achievement and impact. Through Education, Peer Engagement and Impact, the organization furthers the progress of women who have chosen finance as a career, and enables their positive influence over pre-career young women.
About 100WF’s Investing in the Next Generation Initiative
100WF’s Investing in the Next Generation Initiative is a global effort to establish more purposeful pathways into the finance industry for women of all backgrounds. It reaches, inspires, and supports pre-career women who are the industry’s leadership pipeline by encouraging them to look favorably at careers in finance and investments, by creating educational opportunities and access points for them to join the industry, and presenting greater visibility of female role models.
About The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global framework that helps young people discover a talent, trait or passion at which they can excel, giving them the character and confidence to take their future in stride. Focusing on four key sections, the Award encourages young people to learn new skills, get physically active, volunteer within their community and discover a sense of adventure outside the classroom. Young people set goals and work towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. The Award recognizes the commitment in achieving skills such as critical thinking, team work, communication, leadership and persistence among others. In 2018, there were over 23,000 participants who were young Canadian women between the ages of 14 and 24, with just under 7,000 being new entrants to the program.