July 2024

2024 STA WIF Symposium: A Celebration of Leadership

By Christine Lee, Liquidnet

2024 STA WIF Vice Chair


With less than two months to go until our 9th Annual STA Women in Finance (WIF) Symposium, this is an exciting time for our committee. Our recently announced program will feature several outstanding female leaders from across the industry, who will share their time and insights to educate and inspire our attendees as they build their careers.


Our sunny new location in Orlando, Florida will provide a perfect backdrop for celebrating accomplished women in our field while also engaging in meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion in the workplace.


This year’s Market Structure Conference title, Shifting the Landscape, will shine during the WIF Symposium. From the offices of the SEC and the halls of Congress to the boardrooms of some of the world’s largest financial services firms, women are playing more crucial roles than ever in our constantly changing market structure. We will recognize this progress – and, more importantly, discuss how we can continue to foster opportunities long into the future.


To that end, the STA WIF Symposium will recognize trailblazing women who serve as role models in the securities industry and have committed themselves to uplifting the next generation of female leaders.


The program will feature an interview with keynote speaker Ashley Banfield, Co-Head of Global Execution Strategy at Fidelity Investments. Alongside her deep knowledge of equity markets, Ashley is a well-respected thought leader with valuable insight into the evolving nature of the trading business. Ashley will be interviewed by STA National Board Advisor Rebecca Lahar, Vice President, Equity Trader at T. Rowe Price, who brings her own strong track record of industry leadership and expertise.


Additionally, we will honor Patty Schuler, Senior Vice President of Business Development at BOX Options, with our 2024 Woman Mentor of the Year Award. At BOX, Patty wields her extensive financial experience to lead client relationship management and exchange initiatives. Furthermore, as a longtime STA member and former STA Governor and Affiliate President, Patty played an instrumental role in the launch of the STA WIF initiative. She has provided vital support and mentorship to female colleagues throughout her career, and it is only right that we show our appreciation.


We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate Ashley and Patty’s accomplishments as leaders, mentors and inspirations for future women in finance. Details are below and space is filling up fast! Register today for what’s sure to be a great session of meaningful content and networking opportunities.

2024 Conference Page

Ashley Banfield

Co-Head, Global Execution Strategy

Fidelity Investments

Patty Schuler

Senior Vice President of Business Development

BOX Options

Register Today! Hotel Room Block 75% Sold!

9th Annual STA Women in Finance Symposium

Luncheon/Presentation/Networking

Wednesday, Sept. 18

11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes

Sponsored by

Register Here

STA Women in Finance's "Changing the Face of Financial Services" interview series is back! We're thrilled to continue these profiles and share insights and accomplishments from women in our industry.


Check out the first installment of 2024, featuring Lesley Kelly, Head Trader and Partner at Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners. Lesley shared her inspiring career path as a U.S. Army veteran, why she felt inspired to enter the financial industry, and much more.

Read Interview

Articles of Interest   


Women VCs Make Gains in Tech Investing Amid Diversity Backlash

Bloomberg

Women and nonbinary venture investors have gained a foothold in the technology industry five years faster than advocacy group All Raise expected, but leaders say a national backlash to diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives threatens the progress that has been made. Read here



Women’s Labor Force Participation Pattern ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’

Yahoo! Finance

The labor market has largely recovered since COVID-19 hit, but some disparities between men and women still remain. The labor force participation rate for women in their prime working years (ages 24-54) hit a record high of 78.1% in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a percentage point higher than the rate pre-COVID. But women's participation fell to 77.9% the following month, while there was an uptick in men's participation. Read here




Knowledge Is Power: The Investment Gender Gap Is Narrowing

TheStreet

Managing finances has historically been seen as a task for men, leading to generations of women staying on the sidelines when proactively investing and planning for the future. This trickle-down effect has created a sizable gap between the number of men and women actively investing and has created barriers to financial wellness for women. The tide is beginning to change. As of 2023, 60% of women were investing in the stock market, and two-thirds (68%) were saving for retirement. Read here

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