Voice of Experience: Amy Williams, Principal, Edward Jones

This week The Glass Hammer is publishing a series of profiles on top leaders in corporate diversity. Check back all week long to learn about the women making a difference.

By Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“I’ve always been a really driven person,” said Amy Williams, Principal at Edward Jones. “I was fortunate to realize early on that I had a passion for serving others.”

Williams began her career at Edward Jones as a Branch Office Administrator. “I thought it was a great way to learn about the new field, and I soon realized I wanted to be on the other side of the desk. So I started an office from scratch.”

An early defining moment in Williams’ professional path was when her husband began experiencing health problems about six years into her career. “I had a one year-old and a five year-old and a really sick husband. But I knew that with the practice I had built, and with the sense of entrepreneurship I had built at Edward Jones, I knew that it was going to be okay. I could support my family. It didn’t end up coming to that, but it was a powerful realization.”

“That’s when I knew I had to get other women involved in this work,” she added.

Williams championed the cause of attracting women to financial advisory while developing her practice. “After 15 years of helping others build their business, I became a general partner, leading programs to develop women and minorities.”

Today, Williams is one of the Principals in charge of talent acquisition specifically responsible for diversity at Edward Jones. She continued, “And now, a little over 20 years at the firm, I’m humbled at the people I work with, at the grassroots efforts to bring in more talented women and minority advisors at the firm. I’m really proud of that.”

Networking and Developing Support

Williams attributed much of her success to the advice of mentors, “both at Edward Jones and just successful women business owners I knew.”

She explained, “When I started at the firm in 1993, there were very few women and even fewer minorities. We’re very fortunate to have a strong male support system in the business. I just had to develop a strong female support system out of the business. There’s much more diversity today, but it’s important to have mentors in business to pull on for candid conversations and pats on the back when we need it.”

She added, “I also have to credit my parents who are really good role models. My dad was a business owner and he has given me a lot of sound advice.”

Williams believes being a woman also gave her a competitive advantage that many of her colleagues did not have. “As I grew up in the business as a financial advisor, I think I was helped by my ability to draw on my own life experiences, as well as my ability to empathize with male and female clients.”

“It never occurred to me that decisions in investing for a family would not include the woman. I was surprised to learn that many male colleagues didn’t know the woman’s name – I always got to know both. I know this contributed to the success of my business.”

Diversity at Edward Jones

Williams says that developing the diversity of the firm’s financial advisors just comes down to smart business. “Number one, the demographics of our client base are evolving.”

She continued, “But on a much higher level, when we as an organization are presented any challenge or opportunity, it benefits leadership to have a range of solutions or ideas. That is enhanced by a diversity of thought or life experience. I think it puts a business in a position to make better decisions.”

Williams mentioned two diversity programs she’s particularly proud of that the firm has initiated: WINGS and BRIDGE.

“With WINGS, or Women’s Initiative for New Growth Strategies, we engaged about 300 financial advisors to volunteer their time to recruit women to the firm, and to support them as mentors. It’s exciting to see the program in action,” she explained. “And in BRIDGE, or Building Results through Inclusion Driven Guided Efforts, we have involved 150 financial advisors working to recruit and support new minority financial advisors as they come on board.”

She added, “It’s fun to see advisors volunteering their time to make a difference.”

The firm has also developed a program called CCDP (Cross Cultural Development Program) to provide training and additional support to minority advisors.

Williams believes that as a leader she has a responsibility to speak up on diversity. “That leadership presence really does send a message that diversity has a business impact.”

But, she continued, diversity needs to give way to an inclusive environment where every member of the workforce can thrive. “When a leader commits to the work of diversity, we can see the work of inclusion is not far behind. We need to do more than work to recruit diverse associates and financial advisors, because if you do not also spend greater effort to ensure they can be successful… then why are you doing all that work?”

“Senior leadership needs to make sure that inclusion piece follows the diversity piece.”

Advice for Women in Finance

Williams advised junior women to have confidence. “I don’t think there’s any reason to hesitate entering the financial services industry.”

She continued, “Be flexible and always be open to learning. We’ve seen a tremendous evolution over the past 20 years, and I don’t see that stopping. We have to be on our toes and open to everything.”

For senior women, she continued, “Be courageous and lead.”

“The industry becomes more amenable to women as we push harder to redraft how things get done. I think women are poised and have the experience and have had the success. We need to just step up and lead.”

In Her Personal Time

Outside the office, Williams says she enjoys spending time with her family. “I have a wonderful husband who has been above and beyond supportive,” she said. “And I have two great boys who are such a big part of my life.”

She added, “I’m just really proud of being able to have success not only from a career standpoint, but my family having success as well.”