A passionate advisor and advocate shares her vision and some thoughts on what others following the same path must do
Bringing women together to share ideas and experiences can help them fulfil potential they haven’t even recognized yet.
That’s the view of Filomena May, of Filo Financial at Raymond James, who will take part in a panel discussion at WP’s Women in Wealth Management Vancouver on December 3 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The conference has been approved for six CE credits by FP Canada and features a host of speakers who will address a wide range of issues facing women in the industry.
From changing demographics and why this represents an opportunity for female advisors, to how to be a leader and unlocking the value of mentorship, May will contribute to the discussion. And Tea Nicola, CEO and co-founder of Wealth Bar, will address how women must work alongside men as equals to achieve true diversity and inclusion.
May, who opened her own branch last year, believes the event will allow women to obtain new tools to help with their career or simply have a chance to identify with similar challenges their peers have experienced.
She told WP that to know other women are experiencing similar challenges is a huge source of inspiration.
“My goal is to create a collective of female advisors across the country where I can facilitate helping to raise everyone to their full potential that they may not even recognize.”
Calgary-based May has overcome prejudice and the “old boys’ club” mentality to thrive in the industry, starting a financial business at 24 and also raising a family. She tells young, ambitious female advisors not to be a wallflower but also to learn the business thoroughly.
“I would say to be the squeaky wheel, don’t be afraid to ask questions and try to align with people who have been doing it longer,” she said. “Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, just become a student of the business, because it’s one thing to go to school and learn all the financial aspects but there's another side of it – the social and relationship aspect, and building a business.”
She added: “I'm really trying to build [my business], help women get to that next level and have great camaraderie. There is a lot of growth and potential in this business to come, especially with the baby boomers retiring. And I think in a lot of ways, as females, we do it better!”
For more details on the WP Women in Wealth Management events, click here, and to book your ticket, click here.
