William Blair’s Women’s Alliance hosted several incredible events throughout Women’s History Month, each embracing this year’s International Women’s Day’s theme: “Inspire Inclusion.”
Our Chicago office started the month with a fireside chat in Chicago featuring Dorri McWhorter, President and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Stephanie Braming, CFA, Partner, and Global Head of Investment Management, provided introductory remarks, and the discussion was led by Erin Murray Butler, Partner and Global Head of Workplace and Real Estate Management.
McWhorter, an accomplished optimist and socially-conscious business leader dedicated to improving the world, gave the audience insight into her remarkable career trajectory – an accountant by trade who transitioned into non-profit work because she knew she could make a difference using the business acumen she acquired in the corporate world. She also offered her perspective on personal and professional growth and overcoming challenges, knowing when to make change, and what inspiring inclusion means to her.
When asked for tangible ways in which we can inspire inclusion, McWhorter offered several ideas, including intentionally bringing in different perspectives to a situation, asking someone who is often quiet in a group what they think, and feeling empowered to recommend people – particularly women – for jobs, leadership positions, and other opportunities that will allow them to grow. She also reminded us to celebrate and amplify each other’s wins and use our voices to drive positive change.
Our London office hosted a Women’s Week during which several events were held, including a panel discussion in partnership with Women in Risk and Control (WiRC) and European Women on Boards focused on empowering women and inclusion in the finance sector. In addition to several others, William Blair’s Marili Anderson and Laura Coy were panelists.
Our New York office hosted the most recent Networking With…, events where female leaders across the firm share their experiences and offer guidance to other colleagues, during Women’s History Month featuring Rakhee Bhagat, Managing Director, Equity Capital Markets, and led by fellow Investment Banking colleague Debbie Gangaram.
Bhagat described her journey in the investment banking world, where she has often been the only woman, or within a very small group of women, in meetings and presentations. She offered thoughts on how to stay resilient, especially when markets are volatile and client relationships are tough, emphasizing the importance of new experiences, work-life balance, and not getting so caught up in the daily grind.
She also discussed how critical mentorship is and how she received advice early on in her career that she keeps with her today – find people you want to emulate, do everything you can to learn from them, and stay connected to them. Relationship building takes work but absolutely pays off in the end.
While it’s always a great time to celebrate our female colleagues, we are especially happy to do so during Women’s History Month. We are also grateful to the Women’s Alliance members for the energy and focus they put into making this Women’s History Month so insightful, invigorating, and inspiring.
