The women profiled here all meet the rigorous criteria we looked for in our selection process. Their work already has made a lasting impact on the industry. They also are distinguished leaders at their firms, have demonstrated a willingness to share their experiences with others and have given back to the industry.
Many names you will recognize. Others you may not. But all of these women are fabulous role models for other women already in the business, as well as those thinking about joining the industry.
I hope when you read their profiles you will understand why they made the list!
While selecting 20 honorees for our Women to Watch list was difficult, picking just one to receive our first ever Lifetime Achievement Award was not. Alexandra Armstrong represents all the qualities we were looking for among our Women to Watch ... and then some. She is a trailblazer. She is tenacious, a forward thinker with guts, spunk and just the right amount of attitude. Not only that, she is generous with her time, helping others and supporting the many causes she is associated with, including that Foundation for Financial Planning.
In putting together the story on Alex, we had the privilege of speaking with many of her friends, family members and colleagues about her journey as a woman in the financial advice business. Those conversations only served to reinforce our decision that Alex is the perfect choice for our inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.
If you want to be part of honoring Alex and all of our Women to Watch honorees, I invite you to attend our half-day Women in Financial Services leadership summit, sponsored by the Investment Program Association, followed by the awards ceremony, on March 16 in New York City. I hope to see many firms there as a show of their support for the advancement of women in financial services.
All of us at InvestmentNews are grateful for the opportunity to share the stories and experiences of the many dynamic, diverse and determined women who are part of the financial advice industry.
— Suzanne Siracuse, VP-Publisher, InvestmentNews