Women In Finance Network was established in Johannesburg in 2013 by Kim Potgieter, Director of Chartered Wealth Solutions.
“My goal in creating this Network was to create a neutral forum where females in financial services could meet each other, share experiences and mentor each other. Mutually beneficial relationships not only assist us personally, but benefit the industry as a whole,” says Kim.
“Women work really well in this industry because they connect with clients in a unique way. One of the greatest challenges facing women in our industry, however, is the need guidance and support and this we can give so readily to each other.”
The ideal outcome of this networking and mentorship would be that women would be attracted to new careers within this sector (ever thought of being a financial planner? Why not?), and to recognise their power in shaping their careers to suit them. The Network is not affiliated to any particular company, to allow women freedom to interact and have fun with peers who each bring a unique experience and their own wisdom to share.Sarette van den Heever and Esme Davies from Old Mutual Wealth are the networks representatives in Cape Town. To date, a number of events have been held in Johannesburg, with speakers who are experts in their fields. In 2015, WIFN expanded to Cape Town, and this new branch has hosted two successful events. You need only to attend one event to experience the enthusiasm and fun. The WIFN Facebook and LinkedIn posts feature experts who share snippets on a range of beneficial topics; we also get learnings from each other regarding actual, on-the-ground experiences in financial services. One of WIFN’s goals for 2016 is to continue to reach women in all companies across our sector. We would love to see guests from new companies attending and from new sectors of the financial services industry. Please pass on the word to your colleagues and friends about the Network and its social media channels. Partnership opportunities exist for companies wishing to support the mission of the Network. If you are interested or require additional information, please contact us at [email protected]. Partners receive exposure on WIFN communiques and at the event for which they are the partner