In April, we’re celebrating the more than 600 dedicated volunteers who power 100 Women in Finance around the globe. As the backbone of our organization, these passionate individuals help bring to life over 250 events each year—fueling our mission and strengthening our global community. Their contributions are invaluable, and the relationship is truly mutual: while our volunteers give their time and expertise, they gain opportunities for professional development, expanded networks, and meaningful engagement. Throughout the month, we’ll highlight a few of these remarkable individuals in a series of Q&As to share their experiences and insights.
Nancy Davis
Volunteer, Global FundWomen Week
Founder & CIO, Quadratic Capital
Nancy Davis is the founder and CIO of Quadratic Capital, established in 2013, where she manages innovative ETFs including IVOL and BNDD. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at Goldman Sachs, serving as Head of Credit, Derivatives, and OTC Trading for Principal Strategies, and held prominent roles at Highbridge Capital and AllianceBernstein. Recognized as one of Barron’s “100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance,” she has earned accolades as a top industry innovator. Frequently featured in major financial media, Nancy is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the world of investment management.
Nancy has been a dedicated member and volunteer of 100 Women in Finance since the early years of the organization when it was known as 100 Women in Hedge Funds. Over the years, Nancy has played a consistent and valuable role in the FundWomen initiative, particularly through her involvement in Global FundWomen Week since its launch a decade ago—helping to elevate female fund managers and advance visibility within the industry.
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What initially inspired you to volunteer with 100 Women in Finance?
I was one of the few female traders at Goldman Sachs in the derivatives group and I wanted to meet other women in the industry.
How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
Being part of 100 Women in Hedge Funds, now 100 Women in Finance, helped me tremendously when I decided to start my own firm in 2013. The capital introduction conferences such as Global FundWomen Week really helped to spread the word that I was going independent and launching a firm.
How has working on 100WF initiatives connected you with others in the industry or expanded your professional network?
I have been fortunate to have mentored many women and men in the industry. Being a mentor and an inspiration to other entrepreneurs has been the most rewarding experience. Giving back is what brings me joy.
Sierra Hardy
Co-Chair, Toronto Early Career Committee
Director of Strategy and Transformation, Scotia Wealth Management
Sierra Hardy is a Director of Strategy and Transformation at Scotia Wealth Management, where she works within the Global Investment Solutions team. She partners with senior leadership to shape and execute strategic initiatives, lead transformation projects, and foster cross-functional efficiencies. Since joining Scotiabank in 2019, Sierra has held diverse roles across client-facing teams, executive support, and corporate strategy, gaining extensive experience in implementing large-scale initiatives that benefit global relationship managers. A Queen’s University graduate with a degree in Economics and Psychology, Sierra also brings a competitive edge to her work, shaped by her experience as a varsity volleyball player and co-founder of the Queen’s Economics Society.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sierra is a passionate advocate for community engagement and career development. She serves as the co-chair of 100 Women in Finance’s Toronto Early Career Committee, where she has been an active volunteer for six years. Through this role, she focuses on empowering early-career professionals and fostering connections among women across the finance industry.
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What initially inspired you to volunteer with 100 Women in Finance?
I was inspired to get involved after learning about 100WF through one of my closest sponsors at Scotiabank, Caroline Bell-Ritchie. She was involved as a committee member with the organization, and I was able to see first-hand the positive impact that 100WF had on women across the entire finance community; whether it was organizing impactful events, connecting with senior women from different organizations, setting up mentorship relationships and contributing to the overall vision of having women occupy 30% of senior investment roles and executive committee positions occupied by 2040.
How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
Being involved with 100WF as a committee member has provided invaluable opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, expand my network, and engage with senior women whose insights have been instrumental to my professional growth. Serving as Co-Chair of the Toronto Early Career committee has been a truly rewarding experience as it provided the opportunity to develop my leadership style and collaborate with various sponsors and stakeholders to drive impactful initiatives. Hearing from distinguished speakers has enriched my perspective and contributed to personal and professional development over the past five years, which has reinforced the importance of community, mentorship, and lifelong learning.
Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering with 100WF?
One of my most memorable experiences with 100WF was organizing a golf session for early career women, providing them with a supportive environment to develop their skills and build confidence on and off the course. As a former varsity athlete, it was rewarding to see the concepts of sports and professional development come together to drive impact. Another highlight was a powerful session on imposter syndrome, where incredible speakers shared their personal experiences and advice, which resonated with me personally and opened the door for transparent discussions about the challenges women face across the industry. These events exemplify the impact of 100WF—creating opportunities for learning, connection, and empowerment in a truly supportive community.
Eleri Rhidian
EMEA Committee Volunteer & Mentor, LaunchMe25
Head of Europe & Middle East, Ellington Management Group
Eleri Rhidian serves as Head of Europe & Middle East at Ellington Management Group, a $14bn credit asset manager, where she spearheads capital-raising efforts across institutional and non-institutional clients in these regions. Joining Ellington in 2022, she brought over eight years of experience from her tenure in Sales & Investor Relations at Trium Capital, a multi-strategy asset manager. A mathematics graduate from the University of Sheffield, Eleri combines analytical expertise with a proven track record in fostering investor relationships.
Eleri has been an active volunteer with 100 Women in Finance for approximately five years. Her involvement began with the Maths4Girls program, a collaboration between Founders4Schools and 100WF, where she inspired young girls to embrace studying mathematics and consider careers in finance. She is now both a mentor in the LaunchMe 2025 program and a member of the LaunchMe 2025 EMEA Committee, where she contributes to program development, shares best practices, and supports other mentors.
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How has the experience aligned or helped you grow in your career or personal development?
I am extremely passionate about volunteering for initiatives that aim to encourage more women into finance. The LaunchMe mentoring program has been incredibly rewarding, and has also helped me with self-reflection on my own career journey.
Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering with 100WF?
The event that the LaunchMe EMEA committee held last year at Invesco’s offices was fantastic. This was an in-person event where we discussed the importance of building relationships in the industry and how best to leverage your network. This is a daunting skill to master but opens so many doors for you, both professionally and personally. This event was particularly memorable, as I was finally able to meet my mentee in person.
How has working on 100WF initiatives connected you with others in the industry or expanded your professional network?
By attending 100WF events and volunteering for 100WF initiatives, you meet so many incredible people from different parts of the finance industry who are in roles that you may not have been familiar with previously. It is a fantastic learning opportunity within a supportive organisation.
To all our incredible volunteers, thank you for being the heart and soul of 100 Women in Finance. Your dedication, expertise, and passion drive our mission forward, creating opportunities, fostering connections, and bringing us closer to Vision 30/40. If you are interested in helping to enhance the presence of women in the industry by volunteering with 100WF, please let us know through our volunteer contact form.