Event will highlight bold business practices that are changing the face of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
Boston, MA – April 28, 2021 — Nicsa, a leading global asset management trade organization, will be hosting its inaugural Fearless Leadership Symposium virtually on June 16-17. The Fearless Leadership Symposium is the first and only national conference focusing solely on DEI issues specific to the global asset management and funds industry.
This pivotal two-day event will bring together senior business executives to explore how inclusive leadership can enhance productivity, promote growth, and impact the bottom line. The symposium will highlight bold business practices that aim to support the long-term sustainability of the global asset management industry.
Attendees will hear from industry visionaries via powerful keynotes, interactive panel discussions, and succinct “Lightning Talks” aimed at empowering business leaders to “own” DEI issues and embed inclusion into the day-to-day fabric of how they run their businesses — ideals synonymous with Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America.
Featured speakers include:
During the symposium, winners of Nicsa’s Rising Star Program will be recognized. Honorees are diverse, emerging leaders within the industry that embody the values of the Diversity Project North America and demonstrate a commitment and intentionality for change. Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America (DPNA) is committed to providing mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities to diverse, aspiring leaders in the asset management industry. The Rising Star Program offers DPNA member firms a meaningful way to celebrate and cultivate the next generation of diverse leaders.
Firms interested in examining the current state of DEI within the industry and creating an aggressive path forward should contact Kelly Sherrard of Nicsa at [email protected]; media interested in attending this event should contact Allison Lovett at [email protected]; and firms interested in joining Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America should contact Justine Phoenix at [email protected]. View members of the Diversity Project here.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
Nicsa aims to help firms operating in all segments of the global asset management industry meet the changing needs of their clients by aligning and educating industry participants through formal education programs, interactive forums, networking opportunities, and initiatives such as the Diversity Project North America.
About Diversity Project North America
The Diversity Project North America promotes a diverse and inclusive asset management industry with the right talent to deliver the best possible results for our clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. We aim to achieve diversity across all dimensions through collaborative leadership from executive business leaders pooling resources from industry participants around challenges we all face.
The Project spans the entire range of the profession: asset managers, fund complexes, asset servicers, broker dealers, asset owners and professional service firms that support the industry. We seek to share best practices, identify gaps in our industry and initiate action to help solve or improve those inadequacies.
We strive to deepen the understanding and perception of what the asset management industry entails and the varied roles within it, to encourage a broader range of new candidates.
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Boston, MA – April 22, 2021 – Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America has partnered with LGBT Great on the release of Holding Up the Mirror: Diversity Data in the Investment, Wealth Management and Savings Industry, a survey of investment, wealth management and savings industry organizations on the collection and usage of DEI data (supported by EY).
As part of its mission to accelerate DEI in the asset management industry, Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America partnered with LGBT Great to deliver a comprehensive report of the survey findings to the global asset management industry. The report seeks to evaluate the current state of diversity data collection, provide insights from global HR on current challenges and recommendations, and share industry-specific good practice case studies on progress initiatives.
The research report was launched globally on April 22 and was supported by EY, with contributions by Diversity Project UK and Diversity Project North America.
Justine Phoenix, Head of Diversity Project North America stated, “The Diversity Project North America has developed a strong and beneficial relationship with LGBT Great and we are proud to partner with them on this initiative. The research acts to illuminate the challenges – and hopefully to offer some solutions around – the collection and usage of DEI data in the industry. This is a fast-moving and evolving element of industry DEI progress and we feel the timing and findings of this report are critical to success.”
Commenting on the report, Matt Cameron, Global Managing Director, LGBT Great said: “The investment, wealth management and savings industry has made limited progress with regards to the collection of diversity data and efforts have been largely disparate. The stakes are high and not just limited to talent, but organizations are also at risk of losing business reputation and underperforming commercially with inadequate diversity data. This bold new report not only aims to exposure the shortcomings and suggest new ideas, it also seeks to lay the foundations for future works to come”.
Survey results were shared via virtual programming offered to Diversity Project North America members. The report is available via LGBT Great’s research page, as well as nicsa.org.
Additional information about the survey can be found in the release distributed by Diversity Project UK.
About Diversity Project North America
The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative. Information about the UK chapter of the Diversity Project UK, which also contributed to the report referenced in this release, can be found here.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
About LGBT Great
LGBT Great is a corporate membership organization that specializes in developing diversity and inclusion within the global financial services industry. Our vision is for our industry to become the most trusted sector of choice of LGBT+ talent, client and investors. LGBT Great works by supporting members to better understand LGBT+ specific and intersectional diversity and inclusion issues, like diversity data, through innovative insights, research and outreach programs. Click here to discover more.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In doing so, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
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Boston, MA – April 1, 2021 – Nicsa announced the hiring of Kelly Sherrard as Executive Director and Head of Operations and Events.
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. Nicsa member firms include asset managers, broker dealers, custodian banks, transfer agents, and other professional service firms including audit, tax, law, technology, marketing, and compliance. With broad industry participation, Nicsa serves a diverse set of industry professionals focused on a wide array of business lines including product, distribution, technology innovation, data, operations, risk management, and accounting.
Ms. Sherrard is responsible for managing Nicsa conferences and events and serves as liaison to Nicsa event committees. Prior to joining Nicsa, Kelly built expertise in the association industry supporting multiple clients in growing their membership and improving bottom-line performance. Kelly is a graduate of James Madison University.
Nicsa continues to expand its platforms and events for important industry dialogue on top-of-mind issues. President Jim Fitzpatrick said, “Nicsa is dedicated to providing a forum for executives within the industry to share best practices and build better businesses. Kelly has developed an exceptional talent in this area and brings a level of dedication to the organization that will surely help Nicsa deliver top quality programming to its member firms in 2021 and beyond.”
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
Nicsa aims to help firms operating in all segments of the global asset management industry meet the changing needs of their clients by aligning and educating industry participants through formal education programs, interactive forums, networking opportunities, and initiatives such as the Diversity Project North America. The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
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Boston, MA – April 20, 2021 – Nicsa is pleased to announce the launch of its Rising Star Program, a new mentorship and awards program aimed at providing networking and career development opportunities to diverse, aspiring leaders in the asset management industry.
Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America recognizes the importance of supporting emerging leaders by creating a program that not only provides recognition and exposure for diverse employees, but develops and hones the skills critical for retention and advancement of valued talent within the industry.
One Rising Star will be nominated by each member firm of Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America and will receive the following benefits:
Justine Phoenix, Head of Diversity Project North America stated, “We are pleased to provide a platform through which member firms can support, develop, and retain future leaders of the global asset management industry. Nicsa is committed to cultivating the next generation of diverse leaders in the asset management sector.”
“The Rising Star Program offers Diversity Project North America member firms a high-profile and meaningful way to celebrate and cultivate the next generation of diverse leaders. We are very pleased to participate and look forward to offering networking and developmental opportunities to our aspiring leaders,” said Frieda Lewis, a member of Nicsa’s Board of Directors and Chief Commercial Diversity Officer at Broadridge Financial Solutions, a founding member of Diversity Project North America.
Rising Star nominees are in the early stages of their career with 5-8 years of industry experience, demonstrate leadership qualities, and are committed to diverse and inclusive work environments. More information about the criteria and other details about the program can be found here.
The Rising Star Program will launch with an announcement of award winners at Nicsa’s Fearless Leadership Symposium in June 2021 and will take place annually. Firms interested in joining the Diversity Project North America should contact Justine Phoenix at [email protected].
About Diversity Project North America
The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
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Those who joined together in Fort Lauderdale for Nicsa’s 2020 Strategic Leadership Forum had no way of knowing they would be attending the last industry conference before lockdown.
Soon after returning home, they — along with the rest of the industry — would rise to an unexpected challenge, implementing home office arrangements while working to deliver the most streamlined client experiences possible.
Come February 2021, attendees again convened for SLF, this time in a virtual manner open to all employees of corporate-registered firms. The three-day experience, set against the backdrop of a global pandemic and an era of social unrest, highlighted a range of perspectives on effective leadership in a profoundly changed industry.
Nearly 40 speakers shared more than 15 hours of educational content centered on creating meaningful relationships amid shifting operating environments — both inside and outside of firms.
Nicsa’s 2021 SLF also focused on fostering engagement, driving growth, and exploring emerging trends in team management, client communication, and product development.
BUILDING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRUST
Throughout the three-day event, leaders explored how pandemic-altered learning environments have affected the asset management industry. The industry’s top thought-leaders shared their perspectives on building the skills and tools necessary to create meaningful engagement with employees, financial advisors, investors, and customers.
Leaders from across the asset management industry largely agreed that the pandemic has created opportunities for workplace improvement. Many said they are trading in high-cost real estate space for smaller offices backed by flexible working arrangements. One panelist noted that the office has become the center of gravity around which flexible working situations revolve.
After proving successful after a year working from home, many firms are confidently moving away from the five-day in-office week in favor of a mix of physical and virtual workspaces. The goal is to offer flexibility while providing a forum for in-person gatherings.
Several speakers agreed that virtual arrangements present a challenge when acclimating new employees to organizations, pursuing strategic initiatives, and onboarding customers. To help facilitate interpersonal connections in these scenarios, many leaders are turning to hybrid physical-virtual workplace models.
The speakers agreed that moving forward, there won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a balance between encouraging people to come back to the office and offering flexible remote options.
Throughout the virtual event, industry veterans echoed the theme that effective communication is paramount. Asset management is already a people-centric business, but the speakers said the pandemic has forced them to become more vulnerable.
Their advice to other leaders? Overcommunicate on a systematic basis — and keep up the habit once the crisis is over. Force yourselves to expand your digital social circles by reaching out to people you regularly bumped into in the hallway pre-pandemic. Check in with employees across various departments to see how they are coping with change.
The past year has been an incredible test of leadership as firms focused on building relationships in an all-new environment — and many successfully mastered the pivot. For example, several speakers said they worked to successfully engage the customer on a personal and authentic, yet professional, level.
One CEO said that first impressions in direct sales are now less about personality and more about investment content. But while the Zoom world allows for accelerated communication in real-time without travel disruptions, many said the handshake will come back in some form.
Numerous speakers anticipate that the industry will be more strategic with travel moving forward. Travel costs have dramatically declined over the past year, and though they may increase again in the future, it likely won’t be to the same extent, they said. After all, the forced learning experiment that was 2020 has made the industry more comfortable with the power of technology.
CREATING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Industry experts also discussed a growing trend in aligning investments with values — both from an internal perspective and the client-investor standpoint.
As one seasoned executive said, the pandemic and recent social unrest have cast a spotlight on the social aspect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. Not only have asset managers been challenged to build social flexibility into their operations, but there is an increased awareness that a firm’s actions impact the lives of its employees and communities.
After 2020 proved that it is possible to implement change quickly, many leaders are working to reimagine other areas of the business. Some said they are leveraging the power of video conferences to bring together larger groups of clients for fun events, like virtual pizza-making challenges.
Many said that the pandemic accelerated digital transformation at firms worldwide, allowing them to achieve previously unattainable goals. One leader said that by adopting digital onboarding, she was able to go from taking two to three days to open a new client account to just seven minutes from start to finish.
That type of agility will prove valuable as the industry anticipates the largest wealth transfer in history. Many are adopting a full-family approach that’s not just about working with the patriarch or matriarch, but also with their kids and grandkids. Others are forming client advisory boards with next-generation clients to hear their feedback in real time.
FOSTERING A CULTURE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
This year’s SLF also focused on the urgent need to address diversity and inclusion in the asset management industry. Nicsa’s leadership explained their efforts to advance the movement throughout a handful of sessions.
Nicsa member firms have been working to drive measurable change through the Diversity Project North America since October 2018.
On February 24, 2021, the first day of SLF, Nicsa announced the launch of the Diversity Project North America’s 2021 DE&I Perception Survey of the Asset Management industry. Anonymous results from the survey will be compiled in an effort to advance industry diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Nicsa also announced that the industry’s first annual Fearless Leadership Symposium will be held on June 16 and 17. The event is being organized to highlight bold business practices
around diversity equity and inclusion. It will include an awards program for organizations leading the way on such initiatives.
Several SLF sessions discussed building diversity throughout employee ranks. The general consensus: While there’s been progress, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to fostering inclusive leadership.
One leader said his firm used the death of George Floyd and resulting social unrest as an opportunity to initiate hard, uncomfortable conversations. By soliciting and working to understand various opinions, the firm was able to foster a sense of belonging.
Panelists agreed that such exercises must be backed by action. Many pledged to focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity while recruiting new employees and developing existing talent through mentorships.
Fortunately, the increased acceptance of remote work opens up talent pools for diverse candidates. To begin hiring candidates who live in other states or countries and those who can’t leave the home regularly, some firms are reimagining HR policies around the way they post jobs.
Another key takeaway in terms of diversity and inclusion was that bringing in new employees is a meaningless action if you do not make them feel welcome and give them opportunities to thrive. Leadership must come from the top — only then can the incremental progress being made become exponential.
TACKLING 2021 WITH CONFIDENCE AND COMPASSION
Industry professionals wrapped up the third day of SLF 2021 by reflecting on the job of the asset manager — and how it’s more important today than ever before.
The industry’s underlying mission is to create a brighter financial future for clients, and everyone plays a different role in that regard. But in 2021, achieving that mission is not going to be easy.
We’ve already seen investors who are nervous that what goes up in the currently strong stock market must come down, and others sitting on cash.
Still, asset managers have an incredible influence over people’s dreams — and the speakers at SLF repeatedly indicated that failure is not an option. Moving forward, they said it’s imperative asset managers use all the tools they have to keep their promises to clients, shareholders, and employees.
Leaders will need to use their recently-acquired digital assets to project increased visibility and convey sincerity both internally and externally. As one panelist said, after all they’ve been through, people are most hungry for truth and facts.
Boston, MA – March 2, 2021 — Nicsa announced its Volunteer of the Year honorees at the Strategic Leadership Forum last week. Nica’s Volunteer of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of members who are especially dedicated to servicing the Nicsa community.
“Each year, Nicsa recognizes volunteers who have tirelessly committed to furthering our mission of advancing best practices within the global asset management industry. We are proud to present the 2020 Volunteer of the Year Awards to this group of exceptional professionals. and thank them for their efforts to support the Nicsa community and the broader industry,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Nicsa.
Nicsa’s many topic and event committees work to provide association members with educational resources on the issues that matter most to the global asset management industry. On behalf of Nicsa, committee members support the association’s mission of developing, sharing, and advancing leading practices among industry participants. Each year, Nicsa recognizes volunteers who have constantly gone above and beyond in their efforts to serve the Nicsa community in the last 12 months.
A list of this year’s honorees follows:
Alternative Investments
Dawn Rohde, Wells Fargo
Compliance & Risk Management
Stephanie Tyler, Franklin Templeton
Content
Michael Collins, Broadridge
Data Analytics
Laura Lutton, Morningstar
Diversity Project ‘Next’ Practices
LeAnn Trejo, Capital Group | American Funds
Diversity Project Benchmarking
Dianne Gallagher, American Century
Diversity Project Industry Engagement
Maggie Sullivan, Fiera Capital
Fund & Investor Services
John Keating, BlackRock
Fund Administration
Gary Casagrande, Confluence
General Membership Meeting
Gary Casagrande, Confluence
Next Gen
Alex Woodcock, SS&C ALPS
Product & Distribution
Mark Thomas, PIMCO
Retirement
Amy O’Leary, Capital Group | American Funds
SMA Working Group
Greg Weiss, BlackRock
Strategic Leadership Forum
Jon Maro, BlackRock
Technology & Innovation
Sach Diwan, Northern Trust
UIT
Beth Bull, First Trust Portfolios
Unclaimed Property
Dave Calvani, Fidelity
Webinar Advisory
Michelle Carlow, Accenture
President’s Awards
Dan Moorman, Wells Fargo Advisors
David Rosen, Morgan Stanley
Lynette Turner, BNY Mellon
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
Nicsa aims to help firms operating in all segments of the global asset management industry meet the changing needs of their clients by aligning and educating industry participants through formal education programs, interactive forums, networking opportunities, and initiatives such as the Diversity Project North America. The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
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Boston, MA – February 22, 2021 — Nicsa’s Strategic Leadership Forum will take place via a virtual platform from February 24-26 and will feature some of the industry’s most influential innovators.
The theme of this year’s SLF is “2021: The Year of the Relationship.” The event will bring together industry thought leaders to explore dynamic and diverse perspectives on building the skills and tools necessary for creating (or re-creating) meaningful engagement with employees, advisors, investors, and the communities we serve.
Featured speakers include:
Nicsa’s Learning Clinics are planned to give participants clear and actionable insights on how:
“Nicsa’s SLF is open to all employees of corporate registrants. We are excited about the opportunity to deeply engage with member firms and to provide a platform for them to engage with some of the industry’s most influential thought leaders,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, President and CEO of Nicsa.
Tyler Mathisen, CNBC’s co-anchor of the popular “Power Lunch,” returns to the Nicsa stage to moderate the much anticipated annual Face the Membership session, and Jim Jessee leads an executive session about Asset Management in a New Age.
BlackRock’s Robert Kapito will headline as a closing speaker in a Fireside Chat with Justine Phoenix, Head of Diversity Project North America for Nicsa.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
Nicsa aims to help firms operating in all segments of the global asset management industry meet the changing needs of their clients by aligning and educating industry participants through formal education programs, interactive forums, networking opportunities, and initiatives such as the Diversity Project North America. The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
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Boston, MA – December 15, 2020— Nicsa, a leading asset management trade association, today announced the winners of the 2020 Nicsa NOVA Awards, which recognize excellence in innovation and leadership within the asset management industry.
The 2020 award winners are as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Schott Stevens, President & CEO, Member of the Executive Committee & Board of Directors, Investment Company Institute (ICI)
Outstanding Service to the Fund Industry - Robert L. Gould Award
Michael Woodall, Chief of Operations, Putnam Investments
President's Award for Outstanding Service to the Asset Management Industry
Tyler Mathisen, Anchor/Correspondent/Program Host, CNBC
Strategic Leadership Award
Brian Jones, Executive Vice President, Envision Financial Systems
Liliana Robu, Principal, Financial Services Industry Leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Industry Innovation Awards
Innovation in Distribution | John McDonough, Head of U.S. Wealth Management Intermediaries, Invesco Distributors, Inc.
Innovation in Product Development & Marketing | DFIN: ArcDigital and the 'Add to Cart' Campaign
Innovation in Product Development & Marketing | Horizon8: valid8Me
Innovation in Technology | BNY Mellon: Fraud Hub
Innovation in Technology | State Street: State Street AlphaSM
Operational Excellence | JPMorgan Chase & Co. Corporate Investment Bank Securities Services Conversion Team
Emerging Leaders
Margaret Farquharson, Senior Director, Head of Exchange-Traded Funds, Nationwide
Patrick Horgan, Managing Director, Horizon8
Karen Lee, Vice President, PIMCO
Shrey Malla, Senior Director, Foreside
Ninon Marapachi, Head of Asset Management Relationships, Bank of America
Luis Ochoa, VP Strategic Planning, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Andrew Reber, Development Manager, Asset Management & Alternatives, FIS
“We are very pleased to recognize the 2020 NOVA Award honorees, who exemplify Nicsa’s core mission and demonstrate dedication, excellence, and leadership within the global asset management community,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Nicsa.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
Nicsa aims to help firms operating in all segments of the global asset management industry meet the changing needs of their clients by aligning and educating industry participants through formal education programs, interactive forums, networking opportunities, and initiatives such as the Diversity Project North America. The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
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Racial equity is a critical topic for the asset management industry with a renewed sense of urgency sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this year and the events that followed. The industry has acknowledged a shared responsibility to address inequity, as well as its impact to employees, investors, and the communities in which they operate. There is an acute need for asset managers and financial services firms to collaboratively develop best practices that can be onboarded, tracked, and measured.
Member firms of the Diversity Project North America participated in a Round Table on Advancing Racial Equity in Asset Management in October 2020. Forum attendees were C-suite business leaders representing a large array of firms in terms of size and business function.
They were invited to share open thoughts and authentic dialogue around advancing racial equity in the global asset management industry during a virtual, face-to-face discussion. Turning “learnings” into leadership was a key focus for Round Table participants. With reflection upon the social unrest that the nation has experienced over the past several months, the group shared examples of policies and programs initiated in direct response to the current landscape in the United States and around the world.
An executive summary report can be found here. We welcome your feedback and insights on this critical issue at [email protected].
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Boston, MA – October 28, 2020 – Nicsa is pleased to announce the release of its 2020 Pulse Survey Report: a pulse check on the perception of diversity, equity and inclusion in the asset management industry.
As part of its mission to accelerate D&I in the asset management industry, Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America partnered with CareerAgility to conduct a Pulse Survey of its members and those in the broader industry. Survey questions centered on beliefs around D&I and corporate progress.
The report seeks to identify the gaps and provide baselines from which the industry can measure its progress. This is the first year Nicsa has conducted the survey. The takeaways are intended to serve as a baseline to measure progress against as the industry moves forward on the path toward inclusivity and equity.
Justine Phoenix, Head of Diversity Project North America stated, “The research acts to illuminate the issues and presents an opportunity for the industry to collectively raise the bar and work together to build the tools that allow people the opportunity to develop in an inclusive environment.”
“At Nicsa, we are confident that our member firms are committed to change, and we are proud to be among the industry leaders calling for greater diversity, equity and inclusion. Our collaborative efforts will help position the global asset management industry for the workforce of the future, diversified and transparent, with equitable opportunity for all,” said Jim Fitzpatrick, President & CEO of Nicsa.
This is the first year Nicsa has conducted the survey. The research paper is available via the organization’s website at nicsa.org.
About Diversity Project North America
The Diversity Project’s goal is to accelerate progress towards a diverse and inclusive culture in the asset management industry to deliver the best possible results for clients, reflect the society we serve, and ensure long-term business sustainability. Click here for more information on Nicsa’s Diversity Project North America initiative.
About Nicsa
Nicsa is a not-for-profit trade association striving to connect all facets of the global asset management industry in order to develop, share, implement, and advance leading practices. For over fifty years, Nicsa has promoted an open and collaborative environment, where members’ and partners’ deep expertise and unique perspectives have come together to help strategically implement and support the industry’s most vital issues. Click here for more information about membership.
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