Inspiring Businesswomen in Capital Management

From Editor’ s Desk

Capitalmanagementisafieldthathastraditionallybeendominatedbymen,

butinrecentyears,therehasbeenagrowingnumberofwomenleaders makingtheirmarkinthisindustry Thesewomenhavebrokenthroughthe glassceilingandhavemadesignificantcontributionstotheworldoffinance.

Thesewomenhavepavedthewayforotherstofollowintheirfootstepsandhave shownthatgendershouldnotbeabarriertosuccessintheworldoffinance.As moreandmorewomenenterthefieldofcapitalmanagement,wecanexpecttosee evengreaterdiversityandinnovationinthisindustry.

EthelJ.Davisisavisionaryandapurpose-drivenleaderinthefinancial/investment arena. TheEnterpriseWorldisproudtointroduceherasoneoftheInspiring BusinesswomeninCapitalManagement.Ethelispartofanelitegroupof businesswomenwhohaveallowedherauthenticityandheritagetoshapeher dynamic,non-traditionalleadershippersonality.

EthelistheCEOandPortfolioManagerofVZDCapitalManagement,LLC. Sheis thefirstAfrican-Americanfemaletoown100percentofaregisteredinvestment advisoryfirmintheMidwestandoneoffewwithintheUnitedStates. Shebelieves thatbeinganAfrican-Americanwomanhassignificantlyimpactedherleadership.

"Leadership should be more participative than directive, more enabling than performing."

- Mary D. Poole, Author

FeaturingforCIOWomenMagazine'sthisissueofInspiringBusinesswomenin CapitalManagementisthestoryofEthelJ.Davis,aleadermakinghermarkinthe industry.

Shalmali W. halmaliS

This list is NOT a ranking. The companies on listed in magazine serve different aspects of the market, making ranking them in any order except revenue impossible and unfair. We try to bring a perfect platform for business organization to showcase their valued products/ services.

PRNewsSection

BethDonaldson,Named#1 MostInspiringLeader

Chesterfield,Missouri—Beth Donaldson,CEO+Founderof skinBeMedSpaanaward winningmedicalspabasedinSt. Louis,hasbeennamed

selectedasthetopinspiring womaninleadershiptowatchout forin2023byCIOWomen Magazine.

CIOWomenMagazineisa businessmagazinethatmainly focusesonemergingbusiness leaderstheirjourney,viewson currenteconomicstatesandall otherrelevantsubjectsthatrefer tothebusinessworld.The respectedindustrypublication announceditsannuallistof“Most InspiringWomenLeadersto WatchOutForin2023”init’s JanuaryissuenamingMs. Donaldsonasthemostinfluential womaninleadership,avisionary, trailblazerandcreatorwhoiswell respectedintheaestheticindustry

“Iamextremelyhumbledand pleasedtoreceivethisaward.It’s

anabsolutehonorofgreat magnitude.Igotintotheaesthetic andwellnessspacenearly20 yearsagobecausethat’smy passion;tochangelives. Somewherealongthewaythe ideaofcombiningtheartof aestheticswiththescienceof wellnesscametomindandIknew itwasmypurposesoIdecidedto makemydreamandvisiona reality.Iamnotonlypassionate about

makinganimpactinourclients lives,butalsomyteam.Irealized leadershipisjustnotaboutbeing abossorinnovatingthings,it’s abouttheimpactIhaveonmy team,theopportunitiesIofferand thecontributionImaketothe worldasawhole.Thisawardisa greatremindertokeepgoing, keeppushingboundariesandkeep strivingtoleavetheworldabetter place,”saidBethDonaldson Founder+CEO.

“Thisremarkablerecognitionisa reflectionofBeth’sworkethicand whosheistous.Itisverywell deserved.HavingBethasour leaderisanhonor.Sheisa

testamenttothetruthandimpact thatwomencanbringaboutto changetheworld.Shecontinually encouragesandinspiresustobe ourbestselves,worksmartand hardtogetwhatyouwantinlife, setandexceedgoalsandmakean impactwhereverwecan.Thishas broughtalotofpositive differencesinourlivesinhuge ways.It’sveryimportanttobe ledbysomeonewhowalkstheir talkandalsoprovidesyouwith numerousopportunitiesfor growth,andsheisjustthat.” elicitedBeth’semployeesand mentees.

FollowBethDonaldsonon Instagram,LinkedIn+Listento herpodcast,Hustle+Hearton Spotify,AppleandAudible.You won’twanttomissraw conversationsandsometough lovethatissuretohelpyoualign withyourcallingfromBeth,other entrepreneursandindustryleaders alike.

C O N T

ETHEL J. DAVIS

E N T S

Article

Shaping the Next Generation of Women Leaders

The Many First Women

Queen Anne - The Powerful Woman Ruler of England

Monuments

Sydney Opera House - Pride of Australia

The Many First Women

The Powerful Woman Ruler of England

Englandhashadalonghistoryofsuccessfulrulers,andafairshare amongthemhavebeenwomen.GreatBritainandEnglandarethe countriesthathavehadsomepowerfulreigningqueensatthetime whentherewasnomaleheirforthecrown.Thesewomenrulers wereinfamousfortheirrulingandsomewerebestknownforbeing thelongest-reigningandthemostsuccessfulrulersintheentire Britishhistory

However,inthehistoryofBritishmonarchy,ithasalwaysbeena traditionthatthethroneispassedontotheeldestsonofthe monarch,regardlessofhowmanyoldersistersarepresentinthe family.Thisisprobablytheonlyreasonwhythecountryhashadjust afew,butverysuccessfulqueens.

IfyouhaveeverhadachancetogothroughthehistoryofBritish monarchy,itisveryapparentthatamongthemanyqueensEngland hashad,thequeenplayedtwomajorrolesinherlife.Oneisthatshe wasusuallyusedasapoliticalpawninstatedealingsandthesecond

infamousrolewasthatof producingasmanyheirsasshe could.

However,eventhroughthese difficultsituations,therehave beeneightqueensthathave ruledEngland,andwhohave alsomanagedtonotchuppretty impressiverecordsduringtheir reigns.Twooftheeightqueens haveachievedtheworldrecord ofbeingthelongestreigning queens,twohavehadtherecord ofhavingsomeoftheshortest reignsofthecountry,oneofthe queenwentontobecomethe country'soldestevermonarch, andoneofthequeenswasan heirrightatthetimeoftheir birth.

Afewotherinterestingfacts aboutthesequeensthatmakethe bookisthatoneofthequeens neverdidachieveherrightful placeonthethrone,oneofthem shouldhaveneverbeenonthe throneatall,andoneofthe queenswastheonlyoneinthe entirehistoryofBritishmonarch whowasinauguratedbythe parliamenttoruleasajoint sovereign.Andthreeofthe queens,albeitbeingborninthe royalfamily,wereinfactnotthe daughterofthepreviousruling monarch.

Alloftheseeightqueensof Englandhaveruledthecountry foratotalofjustabouttwo hundredyears.Fourofthese queensproducedabout seventeenheirsbetweenthem

andtheotherfourdiedchildless andwithoutanyhealthissues.

Amongallthesefamous monarchs,letusdiveindeepin thishistoryofoneparticular queen,QueenAnneofGreat Britain.

QueenAnnewasbornonthe6 ofFebruaryof1665inLondon England.Shewasthequeenof GreatBritainandIrelandfrom theyear1702to1714,untilshe diedinthesameyear.Shewas alsothelastoftheStuart monarch.QueenAnnehad alwayswantedtorule independently,butduetoher intellectuallimitationsandlater duetoherchronicillhealth issuesmadehertorelyheavilyon thecourtministers.These ministersthendirectedEngland's effortsagainstFranceandSpain duringtheWarofSpanish Succession,betweentheyears 1701-1714.

QueenAnne'sreignwasmainly characterizedbythebitter rivalriesbetweenWhigsand Tories,whichlatercausemayhem andasortofuncertaintyoverthe successionofthethrone.

ChildhoodandUpbringing-

QueenAnnewasthesecond daughterofJames,theDukeof York(KingJamesII)whoruled from1685-88,andbornto motherAnneHyde.Eventhough herfatherwasaRomanCatholic, shewasbroughtuptobea

Protestantontheinsistenceof KingCharlesII,heruncle. Intheyear1683,Annewas marriedofftoPrinceGeorgeof Denmark,aratherhandsome andadevotedcompanion.One thingthatcreatedapoliticalstir alloverandmadecontroversies inthemonarchwasAnne'sclose friendshipwithoneofher childhoodfriends-Sarah JenningsChurchill,whowasthe wifeofJohnChurchill,thefirst DukeofMarlborough.The magnificentladysoonbecamea closefriendofAnne'sandhad Anneinherpower.

Havinghadtheprincessinher fullpower,withhersweetand kindwordsandaninnerving charm,Sarahwastheonewho hadpersuadedAnnetosidewith theProtestantrulerWillianIIIof Orange,andthestadtholderof theNetherlands.Andtheninthe future,Williamwastheonewho overthrewJamesIIIin1688.

GoingbytheBillofRightsof 1689,Williamandhiswife, Mary,whowasAnne'selder sisterwerethenmadetheking andQueenofEngland,placing Anneinthelineofsuccession. Albeitbeingsisters,Anneand Marywereknowntohavea bitterrelationshipandfell-out. Intheyear1694,afterMary's death,KingWilliamslowly cultivatedAnne'sgoodwill.But eventhen,heclearlyrefusedto letAnnehandlethereignduring hisabsencesfromEngland.

Annewasknowntohavebeen pregnant18timesbetweenthe years1683and1700,butonly fiveofherchildrenwerealive, andamongthosefive,onlyone sonsurvivedinfancy.Afterhis deathin1700,Annehadlostall

TheReignofQueenAnne-

Intheyear1702,Annewas announcedastheQueenuponthe deathofWilliaminMarchofthat

wasdesignatedasthesuccessorof hopesofprovidingherselfand withherthethreekingdomsof England,ScotlandandIreland withasuccessor.Andwiththis, shealsoacceptedtotheActof

year.Rightfromthestartofher reign,Annewasinfluencedand motivatedheavilybyherintense devotiontotheAnglican Church.Havingbeenbroughtup thatway,Annegrewtostrongly detesttheRomanCatholicsand Dissentersandhadagreatsense ofsympathyfortheHigh ChurchTories.

Itwasalsothetimewhenshe wantedtobefreefromthe dominationofthepolitical parties.QueenAnne'sfirstever ministry,eventhoughitwas predominantlyTory,was spearheadedbytwoneutrals namely,SidneyGodolphinand thedukeofMarlborough.There wasadecreaseintheinfluence ofSarahChurchill,whowas nowtheduchessof Marlborough,overAnne,even thoughthedukeremainedthe commanderoftheBritishforces. Overtheyears,asAnne progressedinherreign,shesoon discoveredthatshehadastrong disagreementtotheTorieson thestrategyforthewar The Queen,Marlboroughandthe Whigs,allwantedtodedicate theEnglishtroopstothe Continentalcampaigns,whileon theotherhand,theTories believedthatEnglandshould keeptheenemyoccupied principallyatthesea.

Asaconsequence,as Marlboroughbeganto accumulategreatandpretty impressivevictoriesonthe

Continent,moreandmore pressurewasbeingexertedon AnnetoadmitWhigstothe administration.Eventhough,she resistedobstinately,andinthe periodalsogrewcoldtowards theduchess,whothenadopted thecauseoftheWhig politicians.

Bytheyear1707,theduchess hadbeenreplacedintheQueen's affectionsbysomeonenamed AbigailMasham,whoturned outtobethetoolofleadingthe Tory,RobertHarley,wholater wentontobecomethefirstearl ofOxford.

Inoneyear,by1708,thegames andschemesbyHarleyand Mashamstartedcausinggreat embarrassmenttoAnne,and withthisshewasforcedto dismissHarleyandsuccumbto someofthemostprominent Whigsadmittedinher administration.Asthewar prolonged,theentirenation turnedagainsttheWhigs.And thenintheyear1710,Annewas capableofexpellingthemand thusappointaToryministry.In 1711,Annedismissedboththe Marlboroughsfromherservice.

Twoyearslater,intheyear 1713,therewasanagreement madebetweenSpainandBritain whichgrantedtheBritisha monopolytocontinuetheirslave tradewiththeSpanishcolonies. UndertheActAsientode negros,themonarchofBritain wasqualifiedtosupplythese

Spanishcolonieswith4800 Africanslavesperyearfora spanofabout30years.This contractwasprimarilyassigned totheSouthSeaCompany,a companyinwhichAnnehad some22.5%ofthestock.

Theadvancingageofthequeen andherinfirmitiesmadethenext successionacriticalissueinthe monarch.TheTories,whowere aprimarypartofthe administrationatthetime,were ingoodandconstantcontactof Anne'sexiledRomanCatholic half-brother,James,theOld Pretender.Hewassomeonewho wasexcludedbylawfromany kindofsuccession.

Despiteofthisfact,the suddennessofAnne'sfinal illnessanddeaththusfrustrated anyplanstheToriesmighthave hadtocapturethethroneforthe Pretender.Anne'slaststintwas securingtheProtestant successionbyplacingthelord treasurer'sstaffinthehandsof onecapable,moderate,Charles Talbot,theDukeofShrewsbury Hethenpresidedoverthe accessionoftheHanoverian princeGeorgeLouisorKing GeorgeIfrom1714to1727.

Ethel J. Davis

CEO & Portfolio Manager

EthelJ.Davisisavisionaryanda

purpose-drivenleaderinthe financial/investmentarena. The EnterpriseWorldisproudtointroduce herasoneoftheInspiring BusinesswomeninCapitalManagement. Ethelispartofanelitegroupof businesswomenwhohaveallowedher authenticityandheritagetoshapeher dynamic,non-traditionalleadership personality.

EthelistheCEOandPortfolioManager ofVZDCapitalManagement,LLC. She isthefirstAfrican-Americanfemaleto own100percentofaregistered investmentadvisoryfirmintheMidwest andoneoffewwithintheUnitedStates. ShebelievesthatbeinganAfricanAmericanwomanhassignificantly impactedherleadership.

Regardlessofherachievementsor success,herformaleducation encouragedhertodevelopleadership abilities,efficientcollaborative techniques,andadesireforlifelong learning. AttheUniversityofKansas' WilliamAllenWhiteSchoolof Journalism,shebeganpursuinghigher educationinjournalism. Butinfinance, thegrasswasalwaysgreener,orit appearedtobe. The"goodoleboy's "networkisliveandwellandcanmake orbreakyouifyoudon'tknowhowto navigateunchartedwaters. Butinthe worldoffinance,especiallyWallStreet, thegrassappearstobealwaysgreener, butsometimesitisnot.

Shestartedhercareerinfinancein1987 asacustomerservicerepresentativeat KansasCity,Missouri-basedTwentieth CenturyInvestors,nowknownas AmericanCentury

Itisevidentatthetimethattherewere fewpersonsofcolorinthefinancial sector,particularlywomen. The underrepresentationofwomenand peopleofcolormotivatedEtheltolearn everythingshecouldaboutthesubject andbecomeanauthority

Ethel'sincomeasafee-based investmentadvisoriscontingentonthe successofherclient'sassets. Shehas over25yearsofexpertiseinthe financialindustry,workingforreputable companies,includingAmerican Century,FidelityInvestments,Charles Schwab&Co.,Inc,andParagon CapitalManagement,LLC. VZD CapitalManagementisafiduciarywho alwaysputstheirclientsfirst,andone simple,transparentfeemeansweonly dobetterwhenyoudobetter

"Titles are one thing – heart, passion, and dedication are quite another."

EthelobtainedherSeries6,63,and Series7licensesandwentontowork forreputableandprestigiousinvestment companies,includingFidelity Investments,CharlesSchwab&Co., Inc.,andParagonCapitalManagement, LLC. LeavingCorporateAmericain 2004.

ShebirthedVZDCapitalManagement, LLCin2012afteranunexpected terminationthatleftherbrokenand disheartenedaboutthefinancialarena andhowtheymarginalizedAfrican Americans,women,andany underservedpopulation. Ethelworked longhours,deeplyinvolvedinthe community,butyetthatwasn'tenough forhercompensation,treatment,and employmentconditionsmadeita hostileenvironmentforher.

WhenyouspeakwithEthel,it becomesimmediatelyevidentthat whileherbusinessisinvestments,her enthusiasmtranscendsfinancial successandspeaksdirectlytoher identityasaprofessional businesswoman,mentor,bonusmother, G-ma,anddaughter

Ethelusesherinvestmentknowledge tocomprehendeachcustomer's objectives,timehorizon,andemotional state. Shemakesitherdutytogather theirpast,extractthedataandcreatea customizedsolutionthatsupportstheir aspirations,respectstheirheritage,and goesaboveandbeyondtheirfinancial expectations.

GettingtoKnowEthelJDavis

"I have graduated with many degrees, but life offers lessons you don't learn in school."

Ethelwasadoptedatfivedaysold fromtheUniversityofKansashospital.

“I am a forward-thinking, non-traditional entrepreneur, for the world is ever-changing, and so am I."

Lookingbackonherlife,shegathersthat herparentsfueledherentrepreneurial spiritandbelievedinherunconditionally. However,herparents,VergieandZether Davis,nevermadeherfeeldifferent.

Herfatherencouragedhertoseekhigher educationtobefinanciallyindependent andpreparedhertoworkharderto overcomeallthegenderandethnicity biases. Shehasalwaysseenbothofthem workingharddespitedealingwithunfair circumstances,yettheycontinuetostrive forexcellence.

Etheladds. "Icarrytheirdailylegacyby incorporatingtheirfaith,beliefs,values, andexpectations."

EthelwantstoexpandVZD'sreachby movingintoMarylandandTennesseefor 2023.

FindingMyWay

Mybookoutliningmylifeiscalled "CirclesinRed."

WhenEthelwasingradeschool,the teacherswouldgradeherpapersinred inktohighlighthermistakes. Upon reviewingthecheckmarksand comments,thosecorrectionsoften madeherfeellessthanasubpar student.

Afterspendingeightyears,Ethel summarizedherexperienceintertwined withracism,genderdisparity,andgreed astheprimaryculpritforthehostile environment. Anothercircleinredfor theterminationresultedinbirthingher RegisteredInvestmentAdvisoryfirm, whichwouldnothavehappenedifit wasn'tforthatwrongfultermination.

Inheropinion,everysetbackhasbeena setup. Allthetestsbecameher testimonial,andthemessbecameher message. Etheladds,"therefore,Iam gratefulforfindingmyselfinwhat seemslikeavalleyandthankfulformy faith,whichledmetogreener pastures."

"I could have told my younger self to allow no one to steal your happiness or light."

Ethelwouldhaveoptedtoembrace startingherownbusinessmuch earlierifshehadbeenalong-time employeeofCorporateAmerica. Shewantstoserveanevictionnotice forherpoorself-esteem,doubt,fear, andfeelingofbeingunworthyso thatshewouldhavetakenmore considerablerisksinherlife.

Ethelwillnotaccepttheoutside world'sjudgmentsandexpectations ofher. However,shebelieves everythingsuccumbstoahigher powerthatknowstheresultswill benefiteveryone. She,therefore, doesn'tregretthatthesidemirror waslessimportantthanthewindow shield.

APeekAtTheRear-ViewMirror

Zether M. Davis

Vergie M. Davis

VZDCapitalManagement,LLC–TheGame-Changer

"The legacy is the driving force behind the services we offer today."

Withthebenefits,thecompensation, effortsforfundraising,andsignificant timeconstraints,mostpeopleoptout ofstartingtheirbusiness. Often, peoplebecomecomfortablewitha paycheckanddecidetostaywithina brokenbusinessrelationshipforfearof theunknownofbecomingtheirboss. Ethelstartedatthebottom,sotheonly directionwasup.

VZDCapitalManagement,LLCwas incorporatedinDecember2012witha strongbeliefthateveryonedeserves sustainablewealthforgenerationsto come. Thecompany'strackrecordfor providingahighlevelofattentionfrom starttofinishkelptofacilitatethis goal.

Everyonematters,regardlessofthe zerosintheirbankorinvestment account,aseachrelationshipispartof thebusiness'sfamilialculture. Since thecompany'sincomeisfee-based ratherthancommission-based,the companyachievesmorejointlyby prioritizingtheclient'sinterests.

Ethelsays,"Weapproachourclients withtime-testedinvestment managementstrategiesthatare transparentandcustomized. Wehelp protecttheirassetsbyworkingwith otherprofessionals(suchasbusiness andestateplanningattorneysand CPAs)andfindingthemostappropriate advicetohelpyoubuildsustainable wealth–brickbybrick. Oursolutions helpsafeguardthefinancialfutureand realizeourclients'dreams–oneata time.

Ratherthanprovidingatransactional dialogue,thecompanybelievesin fosteringalong-lastingrelationship thattravelswiththeclientsthroughall

thechaptersoftheirlife. These principleshelpVZDturndreamsinto realitiesandcarryoneachlegacyfrom generationtogeneration.

RoadblocksontheWay

Withinthebusinessworld,eachsector hasitsrequirementsandchallenges. Someissuesdrasticallyaffect businessesandorganizationsacross variousindustriesandsectors.

Everybusinessstrivestomaintainthe qualityofitscustomerrelationship,its brands'vibrancy,anditsworkforce's satisfaction. Asuccessfulcompany overcomesobstaclestosetitselfapart fromitscompetitors.

Thecompany'slong-standingsuccess factorsarepersonalengagementand closeclientrelationships.

Ethelfacedsimilarchallenges. Since shewasenteringanewworld,theearly yearsofcreatinghercompanywere tremendouslydifficult. Shebecame conversantwithknowledgeable shareholdersandgainedknowledgeof thedistinctionsbetweenmutualfunds, commonstocks,andbonds.

Hergoalwastogettothepositionof SeniorVicePresident,whereshecould assistineducatingstockbrokerson howtosatisfytypicalclients.

AftertheVZDwasincorporated, furtherdifficultiesarose. Theinitial obstaclewasfindingtheproper vendorswhobelievedinhonesty, transparency,andcollaboration. Itwas challengingtoswitchfroma collaborativeenvironmenttoworking alone. Initially,shewouldutilizeher localStarbucksasanextensionofher homeoffice.

Ethelnotesthattheindustryshowedno considerationforminoritiesorwomen. Shehadahighlevelofeducationthan mostpeoplebutstillhadtogohardto

provethatshebelongedtohaveaseat atthetable. Shewaspassedoverfor promotionsthatotherswhodidn'thave herknowledge,experience,or accomplishmentsreceived.

SuccessSpeaks

Thecompany'slong-standingsuccess factorsarepersonalengagementand closeclientrelationships. VZDwants tocelebrateitsclient'ssuccessand ensuretheygetthebestwithout conflictofinterestorselling investmentproductswithhigh commissionstopadtheir compensation.

Ethelsays,"Ourprimaryconsideration regardinggrowthistokeepourclientto-portfoliomanagerratiolow. Our clientsneedaccesstothedecisionmakersowecangrowourstaffto bringonotherswhoinspireusto becomeportfoliomanagers,too. We havebeensuccessfulinclientreferrals becauseweenjoyworkingwith multigenerationalfamiliesandpassing downlegaciesfromonegenerationto theother."

Unprecedentedepidemictimeshave undoubtedlychangedthe entrepreneurshipindustryasawhole. Despitethis,VZDexpanded significantly,makingadjustmentsto remainrelevantwhilesettingitself apartfromcompetingbusinesses.

VZDwalksthroughthevarious journeyoflifewithitsclients. The philosophyissimple:prioritizing people–oneclientatatime. Westay readyfortheunknownanduncertainty thathappenstopeoplewithoutnotice.

VisionForaBetterTomorrow

AccordingtoEthel,everyoneshould havetheopportunitytobuildwealth

"Ibelieveinbeingthechangeyou wanttoseeintheworld."

“I could have told my younger self to allow no one to steal your happiness or light."

andhaveaccesstofinancial professionalswhocanhelpthemalong theway. Sheisproudandhonoredto haveadiverseclienteleandtooffer financialconsultingforthose individualswhohaven'tbeenaround wealthtounderstandtheycanachieve iftheyonlybelieveinthemselves.

Thepandemicsignificantlyimpacted manywomen,fortheywerethe primarycaregiverswhowenthometo takecareofchildrenandagingparents. Manyfactorscontinuetokeepwomen in"financialshackles,"suchassalaries depressedbyinflation,higherinterest ratesforloansmakingitdifficultto obtaincapitalforstart-upbusinesses, andthebearmarketevaporating20 percentormoreoftheirretirement portfolios. Ethelwantstobecomean advocateforwomenwhoarefacing uniquechallengesinbuildingand sustainingwealthduetomany challengesregardingtheirpaylevels.

Thenumberonesystematicproblem thatcontinuestoplaguewomenand minoritiesisdiscriminationingender payandadvancementinequity Despitetherisingwagegrowth, especiallyafterthe"Great Resignation"afterthepandemic, womenstillearn,onaverage,17 percentlessthanmen.

Thewealthdisparitybetweenthe differentethnicitiesismind-boggling, especiallyin2022. Etheliscreating varioussocialmediaplatformsand learningoutletstohelppeoplelearn aboutmoney,fromthebasicstothe mostsophisticatedpracticesto develop,preserveandtransferwealth fromonegenerationtothenext.

Etheladds,"IplantogrowVZD CapitalManagement,LLC,intoa world-classfirmservingaffluent clientslookingforafiduciary-driven firmthatisdiverseandinclusiveofall peopleregardlessoftheirdifferences."

IwantmyfirmtorepresentAmerica, wherediversityandinclusionarenot justbuzzwordsbutlivingproofit'sin thepuddingthroughrepresentingmy teammemberswhowillnotbe employeesbutpartners. Eventually,I wantmybonusgrandsonstotakeover thefirm,whichiscriticallyimportant tohaveasuccessionplanforyour businesslongbeforeretirementorif somethingunexpectedhappenstothe businessowner Ethelbelievessuccessionplanningis essentialwhenyoustartabusiness becauseyoumustdevelopsomeone whocantakeyourplaceandcontinue togrowthecompanywithout sacrificingindependence,aforwardthinkingenvironment,anda collaborativeculture.

Moreover,Ethelwantstofocuson VZD'sExecutiveMentoringProgram, whichshedevelopedtorecruita diversegroupofindividualswhowish toenterthefinancialorinvestment arenaandwouldlikeaninformal programtohelpthemalongtheway. Shewantseverypersontobecomea partnerversusanemployeebecause everylinkintheVZD'schainiscritical tothefirm'slong-termsuccess.

AStepAhead

VZDCapitalManagementcurrently serves46familiesandislicensedin Kansas,Missouri,andFlorida.The companymanagesover$35millionin assetsandlookingtoaddjunior advisorswithintheyear Thegoalisto growthecompany'sassetstoover100 milliondollarswithinthreeyears.

Toachievethis,thecompanyhasalot ofprospectsinitspipeline. While talkingaboutthis,Ethelsays,"We wanttowritebooksandcurriculumsto helpnon-profitsandstart-upbusinesses togettheirmoneyright. Weare lookingintostartingpodcasts,and

mediashowstoteachthemassesbasic financialliteracyandinvesting principles. Thedesireistohavean opendialogueregardingthemindsets ofwealthypeopleversuspeoplewho haveanunhealthyrelationshipwith money. Ienjoycoachingand consultingtohelppeopleremovethe barriersholdingthembackfrom reachingtheirfinancialgoalsand freedoms.

WordsoftheWise

Somanytimes,theprimaryfactorthat holdspeoplebackfrombecomingan entrepreneurisfearandlackofcapital. Fearisahustlerreadytosteal,killand destroytheplansGodhasforus. Manyareafraidtodreambigand minimizethemselvesbyplayingsmall. Whenyouhavepassionandlovefor whatyoudo,itisneverajob. Nobody knowseverything,sobeproactivein findingappropriatementors,fementors (femalementors),andcoachestohelp youunderstandhowtobecome successfulbyyourstandardsversus whatsocietydeemssuccessful.

Iwouldratherbethebestversionof myselfthanattempttobesomebodyI amnot. Ifyoufail,brushyourselfoff, forgiveyourself,understandthatwasa lesson,notalifesentence,andbecome aserialentrepreneur–ifthatisyour dream.

“The legacy is the driving force behind the services we offer today."

Sydney Opera House

Pride of Australia

Forallthedamageand disruption,thepandemichad caused,toseethesilverlining, ithasalsohelpeduslooktowardsthe nextgenerationofwork.Thiserahas propelledusalltoanewwork environment,andhaspromotedremote workandhasbeenabletofusethe professionalandpersonallifeofmany employees.Bystrikingtheright balance,theaverageemployeehas beenabletomaintainagoodpersonal lifeandalsoperformbetteratthe office.

Theleadersthathavemasteredtheart ofself-managementwhilealso navigatingsomeunexpectedfrontiers havepushedthemselvesaheadduring thischallengingyear.Thestriking qualitieslikethatofarigidemotional discipline,theunnervingresilienceand anadvancedsenseofself-awareness, thequalitiesthatarerequiredthemost inacrisishavebeenhonedbywomen astheyhaveworkedtheirwaytothe cornerofficesandboardrooms.

Theobstaclesthatmanywomenhave facedwhilemakingtheirwaytothe tophaveseasonedthemtobecome leaders,asthisnextgenerationofwork istakingshape.Andtoaddtothe magicofitallhavebeentheunique challengesofthepandemic,forminga cultureofitsown.

WhyWomeninLeadership?

Naturally,womenarethemost powerfulagentsofchange.Apartfrom that,thefar-reachingbenefitsofgender parityanddiversityinleadershipand decision-makinghavehadimmense effectsonthebusinessandarebeing recognizedinallthespheres.Andeven so,thewomenoftheworldcontinueto beingunder-representedinmajor decision-makinginthefieldsof politics,businessesandcommunities.

WhyareWomenBetterin LeadershipRoles?

Toadvancethegenderjusticeand genderequality,womenasleadersand decisionmakersarecriticaltothe businessenvironment.Thiswillalso helptofurthertheeconomic,social andthepoliticalprogressforeveryone.

Inaworldthatischangingrapidly, wherethenatureofworkisshifting rapidly,thereremainsashortageof skillandwillcontinuetobesointhe comingdecade.Atthistimeitis crucialforbusinessestounderstand women'sleadershippotentialtoavoid themoftheirperil.

Creatingagender-balance,especially atdecision-makinglevels,willnotonly helpbusinessesmakeagoodsenseof thethingsthatarehappening,butwill alsohelptopavewayforamuchmore diverseandproductivenatureof enterpriseswhichwillinturnbenefit theworkers,employersandsocieties.

HowtoPromoteWomenin LeadershipRoles?

Duetothepandemic,theworldhas seenarapidshiftfromatraditional workingenvironmenttoadigital workingenvironment.Aswestepinto thisdigitalera,companiesarerequired tobemoreproactiveaboutbreaking downthecultureofconstant availability

Toensurethis,thecompaniesneedto introducepolicieslikeflexi-time, teleworking,maternityandpaternity leaveandreturn-to-workprogrammes. Introducingsuchpolicieswillensure thatworkingwomenarenotdeprived atworkforhandlingboth,thework andtheirresponsibilitiesathome.

Asamatteroffact,introducingthese policieswillnotonlybenefitwomen,

butalltheworkerstherebyhelping reducework-stressandburnout.And oncethesefactorsareeliminated,all thecompaniesareleftwithisa sustainableproductivityofworkersin thelong-term.

Eventhoughpoliciesmaynotfix everything,itcanprovetobeagreat startingpointtoaddressanderadicate thegenderproblemthatprevailsin manybusinesses.Researchhasproven thatthecompaniesthathaveactive equalopportunitiesandgender inclusivepolicieshaveseenmore womeninalllevelsofmanagement.

Unlessanduntilthesepoliciesgeta buy-infromthemanagers,mostof thesepoliciessitthereindrawers, gatheringdust.Tomakethesepolicies work,itisimportantthatthemanagers aretrainedinthatway.

Anotherimportantfactortotakeinto considerationisthedominoeffect. Whenthereisawomanalready workingatsometoplevel,sheis boundtoattractmorewomenintothe workplace,withahopeofreaching thatpoint.Andthatishowwomencan bemoreinvolvedinbusinessesand workplaces.

Shapingthenextgenerationofwomen leadersisnotatask,forwhich someonehastostartfromthescratch. Withthenumerousmovementsacross theworld,businessesarealready seeinganumberofwomentakeonthe charge.Butwithsomelittlechangesto howweapproachgenderimparitycan buildthenextgenerationofwomen entrepreneurs.

Women Leaders