Message from Kristi Rodriguez and Nicole Ridley
As we reflect on the past year, we are inspired by the resilience, ingenuity, and passion that have advanced FARE’s mission. Our journey has been filled with challenges, but also with extraordinary achievements that underscore the power of collective action.
As the Board Chairwoman of FARE, our work is deeply personal – shaped by a commitment to creating pathways for underrepresented communities to thrive within the financial services industry.
As Head of Operations, experience in financial services and inclusion excellence has influenced the important work we do to build programs that empower individuals and challenge institutions to evolve.
Together, we remain steadfast in our mission to increase diversity and foster inclusion, driving measurable impact through advancing innovation and performance within the financial services industry. This year, we celebrated milestones highlighting the impact of our efforts: new mentorship opportunities, engaging webinars, and strategic collaborations.
We are grateful to our dedicated board members, partners, and the broader FARE community who make this work possible. Our progress is a testament to your unwavering commitment to inclusion that drives results. As we look to the future, we are inspired to continue building a legacy of leadership, innovation, and transformative change.
Kristi Rodriguez Founder, Board Chair
Nicole Ridley Head of Operations
Kristi Rodriguez Nicole Ridley
Board of Directors
Kristi Rodriguez
Founder, Board President at FARE; Senior Vice President at Nationwide Retirement Institute
Rhonda Burns
Associate Vice President –Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Nationwide
Aiyisha Adams Vice President of Advisor Engagement at Osaic
Regina Curry Chief Diversity Officer at Franklin Templeton
Shani Armon Chief Operating Officer at Insured Retirement Institute
Donald Ellenberger
Senior Vice President, Head of Multi-Sector Strategies at Federated Hermes
Clarence Knox President & Advanced Planning Consultant at ASK Solutions
Shareen Luze Head of Culture and Field Experience at RBC Wealth Management
Kizmet Moore
Assistant Vice President of DEI at NFP, An AON Company
A Thank You to Our Partners
We want to thank our incredible partners—financial services firms and industry associations—for their unwavering support. Your commitment to fostering growth and opportunity has been instrumental in driving meaningful progress within the financial services industry.
Through your collaboration, we continue to attract and empower the next generation of Black financial professionals, address barriers to economic mobility, and create pathways for success. Your dedication and investment not only uplift initiatives like the FARE Mentorship Program and HBCU Live but also set a powerful example of leadership and innovation.Thank you for standing with us as we work to shape the future of finance. Together, we are making a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the workplace—into the communities and lives we serve.
Why We Do This Work
Our Mission
To increase and foster inclusion and belonging within the financial services industry and communities that it serves.
At FARE, our mission is clear: to foster inclusion and belonging within the financial services industry and the communities it serves. This work is essential because the economic opportunity gap continues to widen, disproportionately impacting historically underrepresented communities. We believe access to opportunity should be open to all, regardless of the challenges or barriers they may face.The financial services industry holds a unique and influential role in shaping economic outcomes, and increasing access
to this sector is a critical step toward addressing these challenges. FARE recognizes the transformative power of mentorship, education, and advocacy. By connecting aspiring professionals with industry leaders, we create pathways for success, opening doors for the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose. Ultimately, we do this work because a financial services industry that embraces inclusivity and opportunity empowers communities, drives innovation, and reflects the broad spectrum of perspectives it serves.
2024 Highlights
In 2024, we made significant strides in advancing our mission to foster inclusion, broaden access, and create opportunities within the financial services industry. These highlights reflect the key milestones that have defined our journey and the collective efforts of our community to drive meaningful progress.
Our Webinars
This year, FARE hosted a series of thought-provoking webinars that addressed critical topics in financial services while fostering meaningful conversations about creating opportunities, building connections, and driving progress within the industry.
MARCH
“Beyond the Numbers: Crafting Your Path in Financial Services”
This webinar demystified career opportunities in financial services, highlighting the breadth of roles available beyond traditional job functions. Panelists shared personal journeys, insights into transferable skills, and strategies for finding cultural alignment in the workplace. Attendees left inspired to explore how careers in financial services can contribute to addressing the racial wealth gap.
RECLAIMING THE
code-switch
JUNE
“Embracing Authenticity: Reclaiming the Code Switch”
This session sparked a powerful dialogue on the importance of authenticity in corporate environments. Black professionals shared their stories of breaking free from conformity and reclaiming their individuality, offering actionable advice for fostering inclusivity in the workplace. The panel, moderated by Nicole Ridley, emphasized the transformative impact of embracing one’s true self.
NOVEMBER
“Finance Across Generations: Wealth & Legacy Building”
Focusing on bridging generational gaps in wealth-building, this webinar explored the financial behaviors, challenges, and opportunities faced by different generations. Panelists shared strategies for creating lasting legacies and navigating unique challenges within the Black community, empowering attendees to take actionable steps toward financial security and generational wealth.
Together, these webinars reflect FARE’s commitment to empowering individuals and driving innovation in financial services.
HCBU Live
12
6 PANELS AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS
FINANCIAL SERVICE FIRMS & INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ATTENDED 6 HBCUS REPRESENTED
21
SPEAKERS
FARE’s 3rd Annual HBCU Live was held at Howard University. Our premier event and conference brought together HBCU students, young Black professionals, FARE firm partners, and FARE industry associations for a day of learning, networking, and career-building in the financial services industry.
Attendees engaged in breakout sessions tailored to various career stages, received professional headshots to elevate their LinkedIn profiles and explored job opportunities at a career fair tailored to the financial services industry.
This event provided students with actionable insights, mentorship opportunities, and pathways to internships and careers in financial services, aligning with FARE’s mission to diversify the industry.
What an incredible day at the HBCU Live Conference, hosted by FARE. It was truly inspiring to see industry leaders not only representing the Black community with excellence but also actively working to recruit and develop top talent to bring greater diversity and inclusion into the financial industry.
- Destiny Manns, Virginia Union University, FARE HBCU partner
FARE & The American College CAAFP Partnership
In the second year of the FARE Mentorship program, we partnered with the American College Conference for African American Professional (CAAFP) NextGen Program:
14 industry leaders from FARE firm partners served as mentors for 58 students from HBCUs and colleges nationwide—a 132% increase from 2023 in undergraduate student engagement, amplifying professional development opportunities.
Representation matters and there’s no better way for our future financial professionals to envision themselves in this industry than by connecting with leaders who share their backgrounds and values.
-Nicole Ridley
The program, which ran from June to October 2024, focused on professional development, mentorship, and industry immersion. It incorporated content from Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth® and Reimagine Talent to help mentees gain valuable insights and experience in the financial services industry.
At the Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP) in Atlanta, Georgia, FARE leaders Nicole Ridley and Morgan Williams attended the first in-person meeting for student-mentees in the mentorship program.
“Supporting their participation was vital,” Nicole said. “Representation matters and there’s no better way for our future financial professionals to envision themselves in this industry than by connecting with leaders who share their backgrounds and values.”
The program’s holistic approach, emphasizing empowerment and representation, had a lasting impact on participants. Mentee Jareema Donaldson shared, “The mentorship program has been a game-changer, providing tools and connections that align with my career aspirations.”
Welcoming New Leadership
This year, FARE celebrated welcoming two exceptional leaders to our team. Nicole Ridley joined as our new Head of Operations, and Morgan Williams joined as our Program Manager.
Nicole brings a wealth of expertise to FARE, with more than 15 years of experience in finance, investments, commercial real estate, and strategic relationship management. Known for her innovative and results-driven approach, she has a proven track record of developing impactful programs that align with organizational goals.
Morgan has eight years of experience in consulting, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to DEI. As a first-generation, low-income college graduate, her passion for empowering marginalized communities aligns deeply with FARE’s mission to create lasting change within the financial services industry.
Board Expansion
We welcomed three new members to our Board of Directors this year: Aiyisha K. Adams, Donald Ellenberger, and Kizmet T. Moore. Each of these leaders brings extensive expertise in DEI and decades of industry leadership.
Aiyisha K. Adams, MBA, CRPC, CDP, Vice President of Advisor Engagement at Osaic, brings 18 years of financial services experience, having excelled in roles across customer service, compliance, and retirement consulting. A mentor with FARE since 2023, Aiyisha has consistently leveraged her expertise to support emerging talent in the financial services industry.
Donald Ellenberger, Senior Vice President and head of Multi-Sector Strategies at Federated Hermes, brings decades of leadership experience and a commitment to inclusion. With a portfolio managing $17 billion in fixed-income mutual funds, Donald’s focus on strategic investments and financial education aligns with FARE’s mission to advance racial equity in the financial services industry.
Kizmet T. Moore, MBA, CDE®, serves as Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NFP, an Aon Company. With a rich background in workforce and wealth management, Kizmet has championed inclusive cultures and currently serves on the board of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) Greater Charlotte Chapter.
FARE By The Numbers
6 DYNAMIC STUDENTS
This year, we launched the FARE Student Ambassador team, with six dynamic students across our HBCU campuses, driving engagement and boosting brand awareness.
Our recruitment work has yielded full-time, parttime, and intern hires in financial services roles at our FARE firms.
14 INDUSTRY LEADERS
58 STUDENTS
14 industry leaders from FARE firm partners served as mentors for 58 students from HBCUs and colleges nationwide.
$35,000 IN FUNDING $25,000 14 STUDENTS
We provided $35,000 in funding for the CFP Diversity Scholarship, supporting early-career professionals on their path to success.
Through the inaugural FARE HBCU Securities Industry Exam (SIE) Scholarship, we awarded $25,000 to 14 undergraduate students.
137% GROWTH
3,557 FOLLOWERS
Our digital presence surged with a 137% growth in social media followers, reaching 3,557!
We welcomed five new partners across our key partnership categories:
firm partner
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
hbcu partner
Delaware State University
industry association
American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), Bank Insurance & Securities Association (BISA), and BLX Internship Program.
Our email subscriber base grew by 20%, totaling 1,057, and our website traffic soared to 24,033 views, marking an impressive 141% increase since 2023.
20% GROWTH
141% INCREASE IN VIEWS
We were honored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award at the 10th Annual Wealth Management Industry Awards and named a 2024 Luminaries Winner in Charitable Giving/Philanthropy by ThinkAdvisor.
