Pub. 5 2015-2016 Issue 4

12 O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G C O L O R A D A N S R E A L I Z E D R E A M S FEATURE ARTICLE If I could tell my 32-year-old-self one thing, it would be to cultivate relationships: the community around you will be crucial as you advance. JODI ROLLAND STATE PRESIDENT COLORADO FOR BANK OF AMERICA The Importance of Women Leaders in Our Financial Community I n a recent forum hosted by the Wall Street Journal on gender equality in the work- place, Bank of America CEO Brian Moyni- han was asked a poignant question: “When it comes to the empowerment and integra- tion of women in the workplace, do you think the financial services industry is faring well?” The inquiry is particularly timely and relevant. Despite the advancements that have been made in workplace equality and diversity in recent decades, only 22 percent of C-level executives in the financial services sector are female. In addition, women still only receive an average of 79 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts across American industries, a pay gap that has barely budged in a decade and is not estimated to close entirely for another 100 years. In response to these realities, Moynihan replied, “I think excellent progress has been made…but will we hold ourselves accountable – our industry and all industries – to make sure that equality continues to permeate our organizations?” Will we? Moynihan’s response clearly out- lines an incentive – equal progress for all – that we as leaders in finance and leaders in our community should be striving towards. What can we do to support the important work of empoweringwomen for success in our organiza- tions, from retail banking roles tomanagement and beyond? As a person considered a leader in our in- dustry, the empowerment of womenhas become one of my passions and an area of work that I consider a calling. I hope to spur the call poised by Moynihan and share my advice for women