Intrepid Woman: Kimberly Foss, President & Founder, Empyrion Wealth Management

KimberlyFossBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

“At 11 years old, I realized I wanted to be in money management,” said Kimberly Foss, Founder and President of Empyrion Wealth Management. “I was the youngest of six kids and all I had were hand-me-downs. I wanted Jordache Jeans so bad,” she recalled with a laugh. “I was hooked on the capitalism thing.”

Foss went on to study business at California State University at Chico and joined Merrill Lynch. After a few years, she says, she was ready to strike out on her own. “I left Merrill at 25 and started my own practice in capital markets with the philosophy to really do right by people. It was either sink or swim.”

“And 25 years later, I still have a business, so I must be doing something right.”

After growing her business and finding success in the financial markets, Foss is committed to helping empower all women to take control of their own money management.

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Voice of Experience: Shona Milne, CFO EMEA, Deutsche Bank

shonamilneBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

After spending more than twenty-five years in investment banking in London, Shona Milne has taken on quite a few big roles. Now CFO for EMEA and Managing Director of EMEA Finance at Deutsche Bank’s London office, Milne is responsible for 27 countries.

But today, she’s also passionately focused on her position as a role model for women and LGBT individuals at the firm.

“I suppose I should be telling you my proudest achievements have been something like building a global finance function for equities or EMEA,” she said. “But actually what gives me more pride is my involvement in Deutsche Bank’s diversity networks, particularly being a senior sponsor of the LGBT network.”

“A few years ago I realized that I had to give something back, that I had the ability as a Managing Director to be a positive role model. There are not many people who are out at the Managing Director level, and it’s a privilege for those of us who are to be able to make a difference on this topic.”

She mentioned her involvement in Deutsche Bank’s web videos on diversity, participation in chairing diversity networks, and speaking on LGBT issues at events. “It’s incredibly rewarding. And maybe as you get older you become more comfortable about doing these things. You want to be a role model, not just for LGBT, but for senior women as well, and other diversity networks.”

“That gives me personal pride,” she added.

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Movers and Shakers: Linda Beaudoin, SVP, Compensation, ING U.S. Investment Management

LindaBeaudoinBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Linda Beaudoin,  Head of Compensation for ING U.S. Investment Management (ING U.S. IM), spent the first 20 years of her career in finance. She started at Aetna working in management reporting, and then moved to the investment side supporting budgeting and analysis and product profitability. A few years after the firm was acquired by ING in 2000, she decided she was ready for a change.

“After twenty years of finance, I decided to take a risk and totally shift gears and move to HR. And it’s the best thing I could have done.” She started out as a generalist, but because of her finance background, Beaudoin quickly took on a comp focus. “That was my niche. I wish I had known that many years ago.”

“Never be afraid to take those risks – as you mature it’s something you become more comfortable doing,” she added.

One of Beaudoin’s proudest achievements came as the result of several acquisitions ING made in 2002 and 2003, including four separate asset management firms. “They had varied company philosophies and plans,” she explained, and the company had to figure out how to integrate them all. “And it was the first time I had worked intimately with senior management,” she recalled.

“I was new to HR and I realized I had a voice at the table. I realized I wasn’t going to get by on hard work alone. I started speaking up and being seen as a leader.”

She continued, “I wish I was more confident earlier in my career – that I had the confidence to speak up, offer my opinions, and ask questions I should have asked.”

“I always got kudos for the quality of my work, but not the recognition I should have gotten. If nobody knows you, it’s hard to progress in your career. My daughter is 27 and I give her that advice all the time. I’m trying to instill in her that guidance.”

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Voice of Experience: Melissa Butler, Partner, Capital Markets Group, White & Case

MelissaButlerBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

After graduating from the University of Colorado – Boulder, Melissa Butler, now partner at White & Case, went on to study law at Georgetown. In 2001, she started her career working in corporate finance at Thacher Proffitt & Wood. “Then in 2006, after a particularly horrendous transaction, I got a call asking if I’d like to move to London… and I said sure,” she recalled with a laugh.

The call came from White & Case, and shortly thereafter, she joined the firm’s London Capital Markets Group focusing on US securities. Early this year, Butler was named partner – and, she says, this is her proudest achievement. “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve accomplished in my professional career.”

Currently Butler is fascinated by her current work in Africa. “It’s so exciting to work in a places that are not tainted with this idea that everyone knows everything. My clients really appreciate my advice as counsel, and I’m really contributing to the development of the market. I love it.”

In general, she continued, “As a securities lawyer, there are a lot of interesting developments, like issues around the new JOBs Act. As the world changes, the question is how we apply security acts from nearly 100 years ago to today’s markets.”

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Voice of Experience: Kimberly Wood, Senior Partner, Central Market Business Leader, Mercer Investments

kimwoodBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Kimberly Wood, Senior Partner and Central Market Business Leader at Mercer Investments, believes that mentoring the next generation is an important responsibility for senior leaders. She encouraged seasoned women to reach out to the next generation. “I don’t think senior women can do enough,” she said. “I think we need to do a lot more in terms of mentoring, coaching, and being a support system.”

Wood, who spent the majority of her career at in finance and asset management at Ford Motor Company before joining the burgeoning field of implemented consulting (or Outsourced CIO) at Mercer, has taken this responsibility to heart.

“When I go back to my college or do speaking engagements, I get a lot of questions. They really want to know what you’ve been through – both the women and the men actually,” she said.

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Voice of Experience: Deborah Freer, Chief Operating Officer, US, RBC Capital Markets

DebbieFreerBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Deborah Freer, U.S. Chief Operating Officer at RBC Capital Markets, began her career over three decades ago, and says she believes strongly in the importance of women helping women, and of being a mentor.

For example, looking back on her own early career, Freer said, “I wish I had a little more insight into how to deal with certain types of people. My first 10 years would have been easier. I wish I had had more insight into how things ultimately work in this business.”

It is fortunate, then, for Freer’s niece, who is beginning her own career on Wall Street. Her aunt has amassed a slew of advice to share with her. “I tell her, ‘Keep your eyes open, every single day. You can’t think for a second that you’re not going to learn or add value.’”

She continued, “The other thing is that you have to do your job really well before you start trying for the next one. You need to prove you can ace a job before you get considered for the next promotion. And always ask for feedback. Push people into telling you how you’re doing whether it’s good or bad. And don’t be afraid to try new things.”

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Intrepid Woman: Claudia Chan, Founder of ClaudiaChan.com and S.H.E. Summit

ClaudiaChanBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

According to Claudia Chan, founder of ClaudiaChan.com, women must build stronger relationships with one another in order to unlock our potential for leadership. “When you look at statistics like those from CARE, which show women do 60 percent of the world’s work, yet earn just ten percent of the world’s income and own only one percent of the world’s property, I think you have to realize that if we, as women, don’t support each other, we will be left behind.”

She continued, “And women, now more than ever, are supporting each other through organizations like JoinFITE, created by Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica, to help women start and build businesses to support their families, or the venture capital firm Golden Seeds, created by Stephanie Newby, invest in female-run companies while delivering above market returns for investors. Now is the perfect time to focus on networking with each other because there is both the incredible need to do so and the possibility of amazing returns.”

That’s why Chan put together the recent S.H.E. Summit held in New York City in June. “I realized that, while we have weeks dedicated to almost everything, from Fashion Week and Social Media Week to Restaurant Week, there is no week that is set aside just for women to focus on themselves.”

The event featured over 40 events “for, by, and about women,” on networking, entrepreneurship, and professional development, wellness, beauty, and personal growth.

“S.H.E. Summit Week is a time for women to come together to find the inspiration, support and community they need to help them dream and do big things. As women, we take on a lot, and it’s important to take a break from the stress of every day life to focus on our passions so we can start to see how to live our lives with purpose,” she added.

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Voice of Experience: Judy Wesalo Temel, Principal and Director of Credit Research, Samson Capital Advisors

JudyWesaloTemelBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Judy Wesalo Temel, Principal and Director of Credit Research at Samson Capital Advisors, believes enthusiasm about your work is crucial for a successful career.

“You have to be passionate about what you’re doing,” she explained. “You are not going to be successful unless you really care about your field. Read and absorb new developments and do not get stuck in a rut.”

“A colleague once told me, ‘If you go home at night without learning something new every day, you haven’t done your job.’ This advice applies to everyone, no matter what area you’re in,” she added.

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Voice of Experience: Doreen Lilienfeld, Partner, Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Group, Shearman & Sterling

doreenlilienfeldBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

Doreen Lilienfeld, a partner in the Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits Group at global law firm Shearman & Sterling, has established her reputation as a leading executive compensation lawyer through exceptional client work and thought leadership initiatives like article writing and speaking opportunities.

But when it comes to career advancement in the legal profession, Lilienfeld believes that establishing and maintaining relationships is key. In her experience, networking matters.

“Everyone is a potential contact,” she says. “You never know where the people you meet along the way are going to wind up. You see people move from one path of life to another. To the extent that you can network earlier in your career rather than later, and keep those contacts, it is incredibly useful later in life.”

Part of that networking should be internal, she suggests. Having climbed the ranks at Shearman & Sterling’s Frankfurt, London, Bay Area, and New York offices, Lilienfeld emphasizes that the benefits of finding a role model can be considerable. “Get a mentor,” she says. “It’s the most critical piece of advice I can give anyone for career success.”

But earning the support of colleagues is not automatic. It requires delivering on commitments and nurturing key relationships all along the way. “You need to stay connected and have a team dedicated to your success throughout your career,” she explains.

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Voice of Experience: Claire Warnes, Partner, KPMG

ClaireWarnesBy Melissa J. Anderson (New York City)

According to Claire Warnes, Partner in KPMG’s Risk Consulting practice, one of the best parts of working in consultancy is that there are lots of moments which make you feel proud. “There’s not one occasion, but many. That’s why I like working for a consultancy with so many clients. My proudest moments are when we work as a team with a client, bringing diversity of thought to bear and really making a difference in how our clients implement change,” she explained.

Warnes spent nine years in three roles in the UK public sector before being headhunted into KPMG’s Public Sector practice. “At KPMG, I’ve done eight years work as a management consultant, implementing and designing change in the public sector, for universities, defense, and increasingly in healthcare,” she said.

In addition to those eight years, Warnes cited a valuable assignment in Frankfurt that propelled her career forward. “In 2009, I was asked to take on a strategic secondment to be the Executive Assistant to the Joint Chairman of KPMG Europe. It was a fantastic experience and one of the highlights of my career.”

Then, last year, after ten years with the firm, she was promoted to partner. “Now I’m back to consulting, working with lots of clients and helping them think about the future and plan for the significant changes they are facing, and what that could mean for their business.”

Currently Warnes’ work is mainly around the regulation of healthcare. “I’m passionate about that, and the role of regulation in enhancing the quality, efficiency, and patient safety of healthcare. I think it makes a difference.”

She added that she is also interested in how the economy will impact consultancies moving forward. “In austere times which many mature economies are facing now, the role of consultancy is extremely important. Even when money is tight there is an important role for consultants to play and add value to organizations.”

Finally, Warnes added, she is involved in a number of projects at the firm, including serving as a sponsor for its women’s development program and participating in a forward-thinking project involving a group of young partners. “It’s thinking about the future and it’s very exciting,” she said.

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