It’s typical that around this time, the start of a new year, that we focus on the importance of service. Service within our communities, and within this great industry that we all find ourselves lucky to be a part of. But maintaining the proper balance on how we allocate our time can be tricky.

Finding enough time for family, friends and yes, I said it, self-care, is challenging. Add in volunteering within your local community or mentoring an up-and-coming junior colleague and the switch flips from challenging to overwhelming. And when that happens, volunteering and mentoring, unfortunately, finish a distant fourth and fifth — if they finish at all — to our other commitments.

In reality, though, it isn’t about finding the time but making the time. Raising funds and supporting charities are a large part of my DNA and the sense of accomplishment that results far outweighs feeling overwhelmed. I strongly encourage everyone to find a charity or organization that speaks to you. Make 2022 the year that you made a difference, no matter how large or small.

In reality, though, it isn’t about finding the time but making the time. Raising funds and supporting charities are a large part of my DNA and the sense of accomplishment that results far outweighs feeling overwhelmed. I strongly encourage everyone to find a charity or organization that speaks to you.

Dedicating your time as a volunteer or mentor also helps expand your network and boost professional and social skills. Each year, nearly 240 individuals across North America give their time to serve on an STA Affiliate Board in the U.S. and Canada. These are all volunteer positions, and all of these individuals are paying it forward in an effort to improve the financial services industry not just for today, but for generations to come. While all of these individuals deserve our appreciation, today we are recognizing an important subset of this group, the Women of STA.

More than 20% of STA Affiliate Boards are comprised of women in the financial services industry. (At the National level, 50% of the board makeup is women.) While this figure under represents the overall figures of women in finance, it is an improvement and more importantly, a large enough figure to build cultures of inclusion that promote and sustain a sense of belonging for other women across the network of STA Affiliates.

Their names, companies and STA Affiliate organizations are listed below. Take a moment to thank those you know for their service to this industry — your industry. Express your appreciation for their efforts to lead and inspire others to do the same.

We’ve referenced this quote from Winston Churchill before, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” but these are powerful words worth repeating, and they remind us that service to others, in whatever way you choose, comes with its own rewards. 

The best to all of you in 2022!

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