1. Hiring more women in the financial service industry will naturally attract women to the field. Being able to work with other women is an empowering experience because it is an opportunity to work with women who understand your path.

2. Getting the message out there about the financial services industry will bring more women into the advisory business. If schools can share what careers are available, more women will be drawn to the industry because they will know there is a place for them.

3. Financial literacy among young girls is imperative for getting more women on finance-related career paths. Learning about money as a child sets the groundwork for a young woman who would later have a great relationship with money and find personal finance to be “fun” later on.

Zaneilia Harris

President, Harris & Harris Wealth

Upper Marlboro, Md.

1. I believe that in order to attract more women to aspire for job opportunities within financial services, everyone in the profession, whether male or female, has to want success for women. It has to go beyond just talking but with continual corporate action that embraces the various life phases and diversity of women. Starting there is the foundation of change. That is when honest engagement can begin.

2. My outreach has been speaking at conferences of organizations that cater to girls at all grade levels. Additionally, on a smaller scale it can start with talking at your local elementary, middle and high schools during career day.

3. Within our communities, galvanizing current women financial planners to become ambassadors. Openly communicating our journeys further brings awareness and transparency of what it takes to succeed in the profession. This is an ongoing campaign of the CFP Board.

Georgia Lee Hussey