Hannah Grove, State Street
One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is managing the extraordinary influx of data and then harnessing that to deliver meaningful analysis and insights. Our State Street Alpha platform is set to help solve that challenge by connecting our clients’ front, middle and back offices. This enables them to maximize liquidity, optimize returns and better manage their businesses. We see our Alpha platform as a major game-changer in the industry, helping drive better outcomes for our clients and their clients.
Do you feel being a woman in the male-centric investment industry has helped or hindered your careers, or neither?
Hannah Shaw Grove, Apex
Probably a little of both. I’ve definitely had some unique opportunities as the result of being the only woman at the table… but I’ve also been excluded more than a handful of times. The same gender imbalance in finance is also in fintech (and, on a larger scale, technology) so it’s a familiar challenge.
The financial services industry is more focused today than it has been at any point during my career on achieving better diversity along a number of dimensions. When companies like BlackRock call for greater gender diversity on corporate boards, and vote accordingly, real change is possible.
Hannah Grove, State Street
As much as I would like to say “neither” because I truly believe that it shouldn’t be about gender it should be about capabilities and talent, I do think that being a woman has helped me in two important ways – first, I am of a generation of women that have benefited from a highly evolved cadre of male leaders who have gone out of their way to help woman advance in this industry – as advocates and as sponsors. Second, I believe that one of the primary benefits of diversity is bringing a different perspective to the table and that has been a big driver of my own career.
What industry or career advice would you like to offer to your counterpart Hannah Grove at State Street?
Hannah Shaw Grove, Apex
State Street’s Hannah probably doesn’t need any insights from me, but I will pass along the best piece of career advice I ever received. It was from a senior executive at Fidelity who encouraged me to think about every job (or project or initiative) as a vessel that takes you from one place to another. And to think about what you can glean during each project – sometimes it’s experience and perspective, other times it’s skills or power or something else – so that when you get to your destination you arrive with more than you started. And then be conscious of how you take that expanded capability into your next project. Oh, and, let’s finally meet!
What advice industry or career advice - would you like to offer to your counterpart Hannah Shaw Grove at Apex Clearing?
Hannah Grove, State Street
First, I want to thank her for everything she has done for the “Hannah Grove” brand. I reckon she owns the majority of the positive equity! Second, she is a wonderful writer and I would encourage her get another book in the works. The industry is a better place because of her. Third, I would share the advice I give to everyone, including myself in regular pep talks, which is to try to live by these four tenets—Always do your best; Don’t make assumptions; Don’t take things personally and always, always be kind.