Belonging in business: LGBTQ+ pathways to belonging in finance & consulting - webinar recap

myGwork's annual WorkFair event kicked off with a compelling panel discussion, 'Belonging in Business: LGBTQ+ Pathways into Finance & Consulting', offering valuable insights for LGBTQ+ professionals navigating the finance, fintech, consulting, and asset management sectors. Led by Aasha Tikoo, Director of Strategic Partnerships at myGwork, the panel explored themes of inclusion, early-career challenges, and the evolving corporate landscape.

The discussion provided actionable advice for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to thrive in these industries. One crucial aspect is learning how to research and identify companies within finance and professional services that actively champion LGBTQ+ inclusion. Look for policies that protect LGBTQ+ employees, active employee resource groups, and visible allyship from leadership and colleagues.

For those navigating their early careers, the panel provided practical tips on how to confidently approach interviews, build strong networks, and navigate the initial stages of your career while remaining authentic to who you are.

Panelists shared their personal experiences, offering informative and inspiring perspectives:

TJ Richards of Santander emphasized the importance of authenticity, stating, “I'm at a place now where not only do I not have to hide who I am, but I’m leaning into who I am and accepting that and letting that be a part of my every day. That’s something that can help me to feel more at home and be more included here in the workplace."

Roshni Hainsworth from Mercer brought a global perspective, reminding attendees that “There are many countries where it's either not generally acceptable, or even illegal, to identify as LGBTQ+. I don't think I'd appreciated until I stepped into the global role how many colleagues we actually had that had felt unsafe at some point or another."

Adam Walker from State Street highlighted the business imperative of diversity, noting, “You just don't get the same results if you've got everybody coming from the same background. I think we've seen a great evolution in the finance industry there.”

Maxim Cook of LGBT+ Insurance Network shared a relatable anecdote about career paths, saying, “No one gets to age 18 and suddenly thinks ‘God, I really want to work in insurance, that's what I want to do with my life!’ But I think [my boss] just saw that someone was eager to work, would be a good fit with the team.”

George Pistas of Bank of America captured the transformative power of authenticity, stating, “The more I brought my whole self to work, the more confident and effective I became, and it also opened doors to meaningful conversation about diversity. When you start to work with yourself, it's like you start to build trust and dignity, and clarity.”