University of Delaware -
Lerner School of Business-
Women’s Leadership Initiative - Volunteer Spotlight

This month, we are highlighting one of our most valued student volunteers.  Abby is a Senior Financial Advisor with Affinity Wealth Management and spends a great deal of her time mentoring the next generation of student leaders.  We posed a few questions to her about why this is important to her and to women at UD.

With so many options, why volunteer your time with WLI?

Whenever I talk to a group, I ask myself if I can make an impact, and do I have something specific to offer to the group? The answer is two-fold. First, no one is really teaching financial literacy as part of a curriculum. If I can arm these young women with a few financial tips as they go out into the work world or make them more curious about this essential topic, I’ve done something good today.  Until there is a baseline of financial literacy taught in schools, I’m going to do what I can to distribute knowledge, one student at a time.

Do you think there is a disparity between financial literacy for men and women?  

There are studies that show “we” teach our boys more than our girls about finances. I also see narratives created by financial influencers on social media about men in finance treating women as if they are stupid, and that they shouldn’t invest, or that they need a man to do it for them. I’m sure these horror stories happen, there are good and bad people in every field, but the stats are irrelevant for you. You, no matter your demographic, need to look out for your own financial well-being, you need to seek out basic knowledge. That’s what I try to do when talking with students.

You said that your volunteer choice is two-fold. What is the second reason? 

My career path was not an expressway, and it’s beneficial for young women to hear that. From my vantage point, being a college student, on the cusp of adulthood seems so much more stressful than it was 20+ years ago. I like talking to young women to let them know that they don’t need to have their entire career path figured out.  If they are moving forward, if they are learning, if they are setting themselves up for opportunities, and making sound financial decisions, they will begin to build their lives.

Are there opportunities in your field for women, or do you feel you have to kick open doors?

There are so many opportunities for women in our field. Women make up half of the population; firms are always hopeful that they will see a candidate pool that reflects that. To be a great advisor, you need to understand more than a spreadsheet or a finance class will teach you. You have to listen to your clients, have empathy for their situation, and often fill in the gaps with what is not being said. While any one person may have these skills; women often exhibit them at a high level.

What advice to you have for young women who are going into the work force?

First, find mentors. It can be formal or informal. I have a great friend who provides the best professional insight and advice, and I’ve also learned how to do my job from the two men who owned our firm. They recognized that I had the skills needed for this job, and they taught me the rest. They took an interest in my success, then it became tied to their success. Second, if you think someone has an interesting career path, invite them out for coffee. Ask them questions. It will help you become comfortable with people who may not be your peers, and it will help build your network. If you do this frequently, in 5 years, you will be someone that people seek out as a connector and mentor. Third, do this for other women. When you are in a position to mentor or volunteer – do it. Help other women on their professional journey; say yes to the coffee.