Jennifer Openshaw, a nationally known leader in wealth management, women’s investing and consumer advocacy, has been named executive director of the Financial Women’s Association, the FWA announced Wednesday.
Openshaw is the second person to serve as executive director for the organization. She succeeds Nancy Sellar, who served for nearly 30 years. The FWA, founded in 1956, works with companies to advance women in the financial industry.
Openshaw most recently served as president of Finect, a social networking platform for wealth advisors and other financial professionals. She also writes on financial issues for MarketWatch and serves as chair of Consumer Action’s Corporate Advisory Board. She is the author of three books, including The Socially Savvy Advisor.
She also was press secretary in the California State Treasurer’s Office and held senior positions at Bank of America, Wilshire Associates and BankOne. She was founder and CEO of Women’s Financial Network, a financial services company for women.
“With the increasing control of wealth by women, it behooves companies to have leaders who understand their customers,” says Openshaw. By 2020, two-thirds of the wealth of the country will be in the hands of women, but only 25 percent of middle management in financial firms is made up of women.
“Women bring a different perspective and experience to the workplace,” she adds. “The FWA wants to be the ‘go to place’ for the education and advancement of women in the financial industry. We want to serve as a voice on these issues.”