“Help and enthusiasm are always welcome and we benefit from a diversity of thought and backgrounds. We value any and all participation. It is also helpful to keep in mind that you can try something, and that if it isn't your cup of tea, or you identify something you prefer, you can join that group. You are empowered to shape how you contribute to the organization.”

“The people are wonderful and by now are friends and my community, the events are always great and of course I’m so moved by the scholarship recipients.”

“My advice for someone looking to maximize their membership is to not be afraid to try something new. Raise your hand to help in ways that will allow for development. You will be amazed by the rate of return on your investment…”

Path to the Board: Let’s Hear from Some VPs (and Past Presidents)

By Anne Evers, VP MarComm

This is the last of three Path to the Board articles (miss the earlier ones? Check them out: Path to the Board: First Step ─ Maximize Your Membership by Joining a Committee and Path to the Board: Co-Chairs Speak Out). We’ve heard from various committee members and co-chairs about why they are involved with the organization. Scholarship Co-Chair Sandra Camacho said it best: “Aside from the rewards associated with giving, one also receives abundantly in other ways—whether it is learning from the interaction with other savvy leaders on the board, talking to students in the current education environment, or staying closer to finance industry changes—just to name a few…”

If you’re new to the organization, give it a try! Raise your hand and volunteer for a committee (see info at end of article about whom to contact). After gaining experience about the inner-workings of the organization on a committee, if you’re ready, the next step is a board position as a committee co-chair, more than likely related to the committee(s) for which you have volunteered. Committee co-chairs serve for a maximum of two years, then either transition to another committee or possibly become a VP.

In this article, Connections got input from three VPs who have been involved with FWSF for a number of years: Shelby Duncan, VP Technology and Infrastructure, Anne Chambers, VP Fundraising, and Paige Venable, Immediate Past President. VPs have a few committees in their portfolios. Eventually, some of the VPs become officers of the board (Anne and Paige have both served as president.) Read on…

Shelby Duncan, Program Manager, Grant Thornton's Center of Innovation 
FWSF VP Technology and Infrastructure

Advice for someone looking to maximize her membership, get involved with a committee and/or eventually join the board?
Don't be afraid or shy to ask! Help and enthusiasm are always welcome and we benefit from a diversity of thought and backgrounds. We value any and all participation. It is also helpful to keep in mind that you can try something, and that if it isn't your cup of tea, or you identify something you prefer, you can join that group. You are empowered to shape how you contribute to the organization.

How did you first get involved?
I became involved with FWSF in 2012 when I was a recipient of an undergraduate scholarship.

How long have you been on the board?
I have been on the board for the past three years as Technology Chair (2016), Scholarship Co-Chair (2017) and VP of Technology and Infrastructure (2018).

Have you held other co-chair positions or been on other committees?
Yes, I participated in the Endowment Committee, and Technology Committee prior to serving on the board, and have been interviewed by the Strategic Advisory Board. I am also a mentor this year to one of our recipients.

What do you like best?
There are two things that I enjoy about being a part of FWSF, in particular. First, I am proud to help other women pursue their education and begin a career in finance. Second, I enjoy the network and friendships that I have built over the last six years.

Any surprises?
I was very flattered and surprised to have been asked to be a mentor this year to one of our scholarship recipients. I have benefitted so much from the mentorship and guidance from others in the group and am so happy to be able to share (the little!) that I know with my mentee and help her to be connected with other, more senior women in the organization.

Anne Chambers, Chambers & McAlpine Associates, Inc.
FWSF VP Fundraising

Advice for someone looking to maximize her membership, get involved with a committee and/or eventually join the board?
Joining a committee is a great way to meet people and understand more about the organization. Scholarship interviewing is an easy place to start as it’s only a few hours commitment, but also the East Bay or SF programs committees are also great ways to start.

Tell us about your current role.
Fundraising includes all of the scholarship fundraising from corporate sponsors via our Financial Woman of the Year event, and individual fundraising, including our endowment.

How did you first get involved?
I joined, then within a couple of weeks received a welcoming email from the co-chair for the East Bay committee inviting me to consider joining it, and attending a couple of meetings to get a sense of the committee work.

You’ve been on the board and held various positions over the years. What keeps you motivated?
The people are wonderful and by now are friends and my community, the events are always great and of course, I’m so moved by the scholarship recipients. I’ve enjoyed being a mentor for several years and getting to know a recipient well. I still keep in touch with most of my past mentees and it’s wonderful to see their growth.

You served as president for a year — that’s a big commitment. What led you to take on that role?
It’s such an honor to be asked to be president, and a big commitment, but in the end I did it because I was devoted to the success of the organization. And I vowed to make the time commitment work for me, so I worked out some changes to the organization that would allow me to focus time on the important duties of the president.

What do you like best?
The wonderful group of people on the board—so many talented people across a wide spectrum of ages and industries.

Any surprises?
I’m constantly amazed at how much time and effort people put into the organization—as we’re volunteer run. Unbelievable!

Paige Venable, Managing Director,Risk Consulting, KPMG 
FWSF Immediate Past President

Advice for someone looking to maximize her membership, get involved with a committee and/or eventually join the board?
My advice for someone looking to maximize their membership is to not be afraid to try something new. Raise your hand to help in ways that will allow for development. You will be amazed by the rate of return on your investment in such a worthy organization.

Tell us about your current role.
As the immediate past president and member of the executive board, my role is fluid, providing support to the current president, as well as the sponsorship, scholarship, membership, and Financial Woman of the Year functions. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to champion the members mentoring program.

How did you first get involved?
I was introduced to FWSF through a sponsor at KPMG in 2008. While it was a bit intimidating at first walking into a room of such accomplished women, I quickly felt the warmth and support of those amazing women. The warmth and support I felt on that very first day has grown into trusted friendships.

You’ve been on the board and held various positions over the years. What keeps you motivated?
My motivation to serve on the board of FWSF comes from the incredible dedication of the men and women on the board and the many committees that serve FWSF. The men and women that make up FWSF never cease to amaze me as they work tirelessly to make FWSF an inclusive organization for leadership, development, and camaraderie.

You served as president for a year — that’s a big commitment. What led you to take on that role?
Needless to say, serving as the FWSF President was a very scary proposition at first, as my predecessors were such incredible women who left an unparalleled mark on the organization. However, I realized that these women did not do this alone. They had a strong passionate board to support their vision and I knew that I too would have that same passionate and dedicated board to support me as president of FWSF.

What do you like best?
What I like best about FWSF is everything the board and committees do every day to achieve its mission – to help further the success of women in finance.

Want to Get Involved?

Interested in joining a committee or learning more? As we approach year-end, our committees will be looking for new members. We hope you’ll consider joining one if you haven’t already. As you will hear over and over, getting involved is truly the best way to get the most out of your FWSF membership. Relationships deepen and you can showcase your knowledge and skills.

Contact Alyson at info@FinancialWomenSF.org and she can put you in touch with committee co-chairs.