Supporting Women Entrepreneurs and Navigating DEI in Financial Services

“I want women to have choice around what path they want to have in terms of career.”Welcome to WomenShare: a celebration of women in financial services. Today, we are joined by LeeAnn Rasachak, the inspiring CEO of WomenVenture–a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses and creating wealth for their families.LeeAnn Rasachak joined Women Venture after a successful career in the financial services industry, driven by a desire to make a substantial impact on her community—especially during significant moments like the 2020 racial reckoning and the pandemic. With a strong background in PR, communications, digital transformation, and leadership within large corporations, LeeAnn's transition to her current role has been both a challenge and a rewarding experience. She credits the support of her team and community and highlights the confidence she gained through her journey.In this episode, we discuss the complexities of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, creating a solid business case for DEI that ties goals to outcomes and focuses on metrics important to business leaders. WomenVenture has been an integral part of the community for over 45 years. The organization provides business training, development, consulting, and affordable capital to women entrepreneurs. LeeAnn shares ways to support Women Venture, including shopping at women-owned businesses listed in their directory, engaging with their social media platforms, and making monetary contributions. The nonprofit also welcomes volunteers for mentorship, committee participation, and project-based initiatives, offering both in-person and remote opportunities.Key Takeaways:1. Embracing DEI: LeeAnn emphasizes the significance of making a business case for DEI, tying goals to measurable outcomes, and ensuring inclusivity. Progress over perfection is crucial, with incremental changes building up over time to create substantial impacts.2. Creating Sustainable Businesses: WomenVenture's mission is to empower women by providing essential resources like business training, consulting, and affordable capital. The ultimate goal is to help women build profitable, sustainable businesses and generate wealth for their families.3. Community and Support: LeeAnn highlights the importance of community support and harnessing the power of one's team. Building a supportive network is vital for overcoming challenges and achieving entrepreneurial success.4. Encouraging Action in Organizations: LeeAnn offers practical advice for taking action within organizations, such as establishing Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), seeking executive sponsorship for DEI initiatives, and investing in resources for having difficult conversations, learning, and community immersion.5. Volunteerism and Engagement: Supporting WomenVenture can be as simple as shopping at women-owned businesses, making financial contributions, or volunteering your time. The organization offers various opportunities for engagement, both locally and remotely.For more information, you can connect with LeeAnn Rasachak on LinkedIn or visit WomenVenture.org. Special thanks to our sponsor, Axtella. For more details on how Axtella supports women in financial services, visit go.axtella.com/womenshare.