Networking opportunities help women in finance industry connect

Current Michigan Women in Finance board members. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography



Michigan Women in Finance’s 2018 Annual Conference, held in May, focused on the theme “Beyond All Limits” and featured leaders in community-based education initiatives and other community-minded organizations. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

Michigan Women in Finance’s networking events allow people in the finance industry a chance to put faces with names of colleagues they have spoken with on the phone. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

A professional network can become an invaluable source of support and inspiration through the years, leading to increased opportunities and new ventures. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

In a field generally dominated by men, Michigan Women in Finance is an organization dedicated to supporting women who have followed their passion for numbers and finance.

“Michigan Women in Finance’s mission is to bring together issuers, bankers, legal counsel, trust officers, underwriters, analysts and others to provide an opportunity to gain insight into the marketplace while expanding their professional network,” said Venita A. Terry, president of the organization.
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Michigan Women in Finance is an organization dedicated to supporting women who have followed their passion for numbers and finance. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

Networking is important, according to experts, because it allows business professionals to develop relationships with people they trust and with whom they have shared experiences. These are people they can turn to when they have a question or need someone to listen to an idea. This network can become an invaluable source of support and inspiration through the years, leading to increased opportunities and new ventures.

“Every day we speak with bond issuers, attorneys and people at banks on the phone, but we don’t get to see them in person. It’s nice to be able to put a face with the name at these events,” said Terry.

Its 2018 Annual Conference, held in May, focused on the theme “Beyond All Limits” and featured leaders in community-based education initiatives and other community-minded organizations. The keynote speaker was Veronika Scott, founder and CEO of The Empowerment Plan. She spoke to the crowd about her journey from a top product designer to influential non-profit mogul.
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Approximately 150 participants, mostly from southeastern Michigan, but from around the state as well, attend Michigan Women in Finance’s networking events. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

Others speakers were Susan T. Mosey, executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) in Detroit for 29 years and Michele Hodges, president of the Belle Isle Conservancy since January 2013.

Held at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center and Detroit Marriott Troy, both days offered a platform for a diverse group of women, as well as men, to come together and network with one another, said Terry.

The organization’s next event is the 2018 Fall Networking Event at Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Oct. 18. The event typically kicks off with a social reception at an event venue that provides a unique experience for group members, such as a museum, art center or botanical gardens, she said. The following day a line-up of three to four speakers share their knowledge and insight about the industry with engaging presentations.

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Networking allows business professionals to develop relationships with people they trust and with whom they have shared experiences. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

Approximately 150 participants, mostly from southeastern Michigan, but from around the state as well, attend the events.

Michigan Women in Finance is led by a board comprised of 18-21 board members who meet monthly from August-June. They meet twice a year in person and the remainder of the meetings are phone conferences to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules.

Michigan Women in Finance’s networking events offer a platform for a diverse group of women, as well as men, to come together and network with one another. Photo courtesy of Elayne Gross Photography

The 2019 Annual Conference is scheduled for May 16, 2019 with the reception at the Charles H. Wright Museum and conference the following day at Westin Book Cadillac.

To learn more about Michigan Women in Finance, including how to be a member, visit MichiganWomeninFinance.org/contact/.