Edward Jones is relaunching its women's initiative program to draw more women into the profession, the firm announced.

The firm-wide network for new and veteran women advisors, known as Women’s Initiative for New Growth Strategies (WINGS), first introduced in 2009, includes mentorships and coaching designed to strengthen and advance female career trajectories at the firm.

“More than one-quarter of our recruits are women, but the number should be higher,” said Monica Giuseffi, principal of financial advisor inclusion and diversity at Edward Jones. “As the dynamics of our workforce and the clients we serve continue to evolve, we must embrace diversity of thought, background and experience across our firm.”

Edward Jones Managing Partner Jim Weddle in June was one of 150 executives who pledged to increase diversity in their firms. According to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, women make up just 19 percent of financial advisors in the United States. This is in part due to the lack of female representation and formal mentorship and sponsorship programs within corporations, according to Edward Jones.