Leader and veteran woman advisor at Edward Jones speaks out on firm's active commitment to accessibility and representation
Edward Jones is making the wealth industry more accessible for women advisors across Canada – a role that Erin Roy takes seriously as the leader of the growth strategy for the firm's Canadian operation.
“Edward Jones supports my need to grow professionally by providing opportunities that enable me to develop my career as an executive,” says Roy, Principal, Canada Branch Team Market Optimization at Edward Jones Canada. “As I built my career, they lay out a pathway that allows me to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to serve my clients and build a practice while also leading other advisors in the firm. And in my role, I get the opportunity to do that for others and pay it forward".
Roy and other leaders from Edward Jones Canada are participating in a thought-provoking panel discussion – titled “Financial resilience in a woman’s world – reframing your financial mindset” – at the 6th Annual Women in Wealth Management Summit in Toronto.
Erin Roy says that throughout her career, the firm has provided the resources to build her own financial advisory practice including much-needed support for continuing education, to earn a CFP designation and Hons. BA and MA degrees. In her role she positions new Financial Advisors for success by helping to ensure the firm is curating and supporting high quality career opportunities to attract top talent from across the industry.
Like countless other women at Edward Jones, Roy thrives through numerous growth opportunities offered by the firm, including a voluntary coaching and mentoring program. Since her time, that program has been reimagined with innovative "matchmaking" technology, which pairs mentors with mentees based on their preferences and needs.
“Edward Jones offers flexibility and autonomy, in a supportive partnership environment that values family and community,” she adds. “We put people and their development first; we hire entrepreneurial self-starters and give them the tools to grow and succeed in a way that suits the needs of their family and community.”
To remove barriers and obstacles to representation, the firm offers flexible work hours for its advisors, with remote and mobile work resources, as well as after-hours operations and technical support.
Edward Jones Canada continues to evolve its education and empowerment approach through its Women’s Business Resource Group (BRG). The largest of 12 BRGs available to associates, it facilitates connections among associates and firm leadership. It also opens leadership opportunities for women, engages allies, and champions an inclusive environment.
Edward Jones knows the importance of empowering women on their unique wealth-building journeys. As one of Canada's largest investment brokerages, it is well positioned to help Canadian women, who collectively control $2.2 trillion in assets today and are projected to control $4 trillion by 2028.
(Source: iNVESTOR Economics Report 2023)
Those efforts are clearly bearing fruit. Today, women at Edward Jones Canada make up 50% of its senior leadership team. With women accounting for 25% of its financial advisor workforce, the firm is exceeding the bar for representation in the industry.
Women also represent 30% of its financial advisors with under a decade of tenure promising a solid runway of diversity at the firm into the future.
“Transparency, flexibility, and trust are critical to developing relationships with women advisors,” Roy says. “They want to achieve results on their own terms and have confidence that their firm is putting the interests of their clients and families first.”
The 2023 Women in Wealth Management Summit will be held on December 5 at the Carlu in Toronto.
The summit, titled, “Strategies to empower women in wealth – no woman left behind,” has been approved for 3.25 CE credits by the Institute for Advanced Financial Education and FP Canada.
To learn more about the event and secure your place, click here.
