Supporting women in the firm and community
At Raymond James, our inclusion networks help associates feel supported in their career journey and foster connections that create a sense of belonging. The Women’s Inclusion Network (WIN), one of the firm’s longest-standing networks, also does much more.
“It’s an opportunity to develop new skills, build your network and enhance your leadership capabilities,” WIN National Co-chair and Director, PCG Communications Jenna Stock said. “The network has enabled me to grow personally and professionally.”
National Chair Michelle Wooten agrees. “Professionally, it’s helped me improve my public speaking abilities. It’s upped my confidence when addressing larger crowds and it’s just expanded my horizons overall,” she said.
The network also partners with colleges and universities to mentor students and expose up-and-coming talent to Raymond James as a career opportunity. In fact, WIN created and propelled the firm’s mentorship program and has successfully passed it on so it can be expanded to a wider audience.
“The overall goal is to help associates grow their skills, build their networks, and enhance their leadership abilities. I feel like I've experienced all those things." - Jenna Stock, Director, PCG Communications
Soaring higher
WIN’s marquee event, the multi-day Women Soaring conference, is focused on enabling women at the Home Office and around the country to participate in panels and learn from leaders from within and outside of the firm. Now in its fifth year, the conference is getting bigger and better with each event.
“Last year we were in the Tower 3 Community Center at our St. Pete corporate headquarters and it was packed,” Stock said. “This year registration numbers were so high, so we made sure there were several watch parties in St. Pete, Memphis, Southfield and Denver.”
Some associates from other parts of the country fly in for the event, planning their work schedules around it. “Seeing people you haven’t seen in a year and having the opportunity to reconnect is great,” Stock said. “It’s really all about relationship building and the inclusive environment the network fosters.”
“I’ve created so many wonderful relationships with firm leaders thanks to WIN,” Wooten said. “I may have created some of them networking on my own, but there are so many people I might not have met had it not been for WIN.”
“Everyone is busy. There have been WIN events where I didn't think I had the time to spare but it made a world of difference for that day or that week, or paid dividends somehow or another." - Michelle Wooten, VP, PCG Third party suppliers
Opportunities for all
While WIN’s focus is supporting women, anyone can join and participate in the network’s programming and events.
“We have a lot of programming geared toward specialty topics,” Wooten said, “like networking, work-life balance, and financial topics like maxing out your 401(k). Our goal is to support the development of associates here at Raymond James and give them the resources they need to succeed.”
Beyond the Women Soaring conference, the network also hosts webinars, lunch and learns and an event called Lunch with Leaders, where associates spend one-on-one time with someone in firm leadership, then come together at the end to talk about what they learned.
The network also offers volunteer opportunities, sponsoring community programs like Pace for Girls and Girls Inc. Last year WIN sponsored the Women’s Conference of Florida, furthering the network’s goal of supporting women in the community and giving participants the chance to attend and gain experience.
“There are opportunities for everyone,” Stock said. “We have a variety of programs and committees and ways to get involved, whether you just want to get your feet wet or jump into a leadership position.”
“If you’re looking to feel a sense of pride, influence and contribution to other women, join the network,” Wooten said.
Learn more about how Raymond James supports associates' personal and professional development through associate networks like the Women's Inclusion Network.