How this LGBTQ+ leader brought money 'out' on Wall Street

What if you didn't just survive a layoff, but thrived, instead? What if you could find real opportunities in a moment of hardship and set out to make a difference? Well that's exactly what the powerhouse CEO and founder of Out Leadership, Todd Sears did. In this episode of Living Not So Fabulously, David and John talked with Sears about career pivots, turning setbacks into launching pads, and how he transformed a layoff into founding Out Leadership. For decades, he's been paving the way for LGBTQ+ professionals in corporate boardrooms worldwide. In an age of DEI-cutbacks, he focuses on helping companies do better for equality in a way that benefits their bottom line: "My whole philosophy is how do we help companies do better? Backing companies into a corner and naming and shaming them is not the way to get them to change." Whether you're chasing financial independence or career growth, this episode offers the strategies and motivation to make it happen. Tune in for game-changing insights on wealth, leadership, and thriving in today's economy. The episode delves into how honest money talks—at home and work—are key to building lasting financial success. Hosts and husbands of Living Not So Fabulously, David & John Auten-Schneider, dive into real money stories with activists, allies, artists, tech-gurus, and trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community to give you tangible takeaways to tackle your wallet woes. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Living Not So Fabulously at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/living-fabulously/. Have a money story of your own? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. 00:00-Todd Sears joins Living Not So Fabulously 02:30-Sear's money origin story 05:00-Focusing on life's driving force 06:30-LGBTQ+ generational gaps with finances 13:20-Using severance for good 18:30-The future of DEI in corporate America Todd Sears began his career in investment banking and became the first openly gay financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, where he created the first national team of financial advisors dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community. He founded Out Leadership in in 2010 to harness the power of business to advance LGBTQ+ equality. Yahoo Finance's Living Not So Fabulously is hosted by David & John Auten-Schneider, and created and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices