Cayman Islands – 13 February 2024 –100 Women in Finance (100WF), the global membership organization dedicated to advancing gender equity in the finance industry, has announced the successful fundraising achievement at its annual Gala. The event took place at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, on February 2, 2024.
More than 200 members of the financial services sector, as well as supporters, attended the Moonlit White Masquerade, the 10th annual fundraiser.
The 100 Women in Finance Foundation (100WF Foundation), the gala beneficiary, supports the organization’s programs and initiatives; its overall mission, known as Vision 30/40, is for 30% of senior investment roles and executive committee positions to be filled by women by the year 2040.
100WF has a strong and enduring presence in the Cayman Islands, boasting over 800 registered members and a dedicated volunteer base of more than 60 individuals. The organization, along with its Cayman committees, aligns its annual goals to benefit the 100WF Foundation, engaging in impactful initiatives such as fundraising and programs designed to advance career opportunities for female professionals in the finance sector. On a local level, this impact is exemplified through their continuous support of initiatives like GirlForce100, a program aimed at empowering and supporting young women in high school and university by providing them with career education events, mentoring opportunities, and valuable skills to prepare them for rewarding careers in the finance industry.
“As part of its impact initiatives to achieve the 30/40 vision, the 100 Women in Finance Foundation provides grants to nonprofits that are in alignment with supporting women entering and advancing their careers in the finance sector. In Cayman, GirlForce100 is a grantee and a career mentoring programme. It operates in both the public and private high schools and is a strategic partnership with the Cayman Islands Ministry of Education,” said Tanis McDonald, Partner, KPMG Cayman Islands and 100WF Gala Committee Co-Chair.
“Members of 100 Women in Finance are actively engaged in mentorships through GirlForce100, working closely with our participating local high schools such as Cayman Prep, CHHS, CIS, JGHS, and St. Ignatius to name a few. Together with the high schools, we develop programming catered to career mapping and navigating the pre-career landscape. We thank our many attendees and sponsors for their support, which will allow us to continue the program and attract more participants,” said Claire Rafferty, Senior Manager, KPMG Cayman Islands and 100WF Gala Committee Co-Chair.
Cayman Gala Committee pictured from left to right: Karen Wright Lundin, Laurie Mernett, Irina Scrivens, Saneata Smith, Tanis McDonald and Claire Rafferty (not pictured Sherri Fleming).
100WF hosts frequent meetings of financial services professionals and others serving the financial sector, with industry leaders speaking on topics of education and professional development for women at early career, mid-career and senior levels.
For more information about 100 Women in Finance in the Cayman Islands, please visit here. For more information about GirlForce100, please visit here.
About 100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance strengthens 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.