By Christine Lee, Liquidnet
2024 WIF Vice Chair

Thank you to all who attended the 9th Annual STA Women in Finance Symposium in Orlando! Taking place immediately ahead of STA’s 91st Annual Market Structure Conference, it was an ideal way to kick off three days of great discussion and meaningful networking opportunities. Attendees had a chance to reflect on the challenges and opportunities women face in financial services and hear from industry trailblazers who have set an example for all who will follow.

First, we celebrated the importance of mentorship with a presentation of STA’s 2024 Woman Mentor of the Year Award to Patty Schuler, Senior Vice President of Business Development at BOX Options Market. Patty was introduced by her longtime STA Chicago colleague Lauren Arbid, Director, U.S. Head of Relationship Management at ABN AMRO Clearing. As we heard during her talk, Patty has long made it a priority to advocate for and share her knowledge with other women in the workplace – a result of lessons learned early in her career.

“Back when I was on the floor, it was a heavily male-dominated industry,” Patty said. “I had to fight to make a place for myself. I listened to the wisdom of the women around me – ‘Do your best, treat others with respect and prove yourself when it matters most.’ I carry that with me to this day.”

Patty also encouraged her fellow female professionals, particularly those who have benefited from mentorship in their careers, to pass on the legacy. We can all do our part to continue the industry’s progress in becoming more diverse and inclusive – and engaging closely with those who are following in our footsteps is one of the most meaningful ways.

“I truly believe that mentoring is about passing on your knowledge and legacy to the next generation,” Patty said. “The best way to thank a mentor is to pay it forward and become a mentor yourself. We must all remember to thank those who have made a difference in our lives.”

Next, attendees heard from Ashley Banfield, Co-Head, Global Execution Strategy at Fidelity Investments, who served as the Symposium’s keynote speaker, and was interviewed by Rebecca Lahar, Vice President, Equity Trader at T. Rowe Price. Ashley’s story was a great example of what it looks like to absorb every lesson life has to offer and take advantage of every opportunity to forge a successful career. In particular, she highlighted how her parents helped define her approach to work and life.

“My parents taught me that education was going to be my life’s greatest equalizer,” Ashley said. “They also taught me to surround myself will people that were better than me. The only way you get better is by playing with better people – and that is true everywhere. When I look across our team, I think we’ve done that really well.”

Ashley also stressed the importance of sports in her upbringing, sharing how they informed her perspective on teamwork, preparation and focus.

“While it’s not a necessary part of being successful, there’s so much you learn from playing sports and being part of a team,” she said. “When my dad brought my brother and I to play hockey and they said that my brother could play but I couldn’t, my dad said, ‘We can do this the easy way or the hard way.’ It was my first mini women’s march, and it was alongside the two most important men in my life: my dad and my brother.”

These perspectives were exactly what we needed to hear heading into the conference – and they align perfectly with the goals of STA Women in Finance. Of course, many of us in attendance compete with one another, and the many issues discussed during the conference program can be complex and stressful. But at the same time, we are all on the same team, and on the same mission to leave this industry better than we found it. In this shifting landscape, Patty and Ashley remind us of what it really means to be a team player.

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