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Women in Capital Markets

Women in Capital Markets

Confident, poised and always forward-thinking, Women in Capital Markets (WCM) is dedicated to:

• Promoting the entry, advancement, and development of women in Capital Markets
• Shaping women leaders in business
• Fostering accountability for diversity within the industry
• Recognizing leaders who have advanced women in the Capital Markets industry

WCM's 700+ members are diverse professionals in the institutional and wealth management areas of the investment industry, as well as, functional and operational members who provide support to the broader Capital Markets.

BMO & Women in Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets has been a supporter of Women in Capital Markets (WCM) since their inception in 1995. Since then, BMO has remained an active and consistent sponsor, reaching the level of Gold Corporate Champion in 2009.

BMO Nesbitt Burns, the private wealth management arm of BMO Financial Group, is the Exclusive Sponsor of the WCM Executive Coaching Awards Program, which provides executive coaching services to five qualified senior women working in capital markets each year. This scholarship-like program provides formal career coaching and leadership enhancement for qualified, senior women working in the industry.

In 2010 WCM launched the Rising Star Award, which recognizes an early female leader with an entrepreneurial spirit combined with outstanding and unique contributions to the capital markets industry. The winner of the inaugural award was BMO Capital Markets employee Liette Bromley, for her personal and professional contributions.

WCM joined the BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education program in 2010 with the development of the BMO Capital Markets Return to Bay Street Award.

How the Equity Through Education funds will be used

With funds from the Equity Through Education program, BMO Capital Markets & WCM have developed the BMO Capital Markets Return to Bay Street Award. The award was launched in 2011 and the objective is to help professional women to re-launch their careers in the Canadian capital markets industry after an extended period of absence.

This program grants 5 awards to selected candidates and includes $5,000 towards an education program; a paid 3-month internship with BMO Capital Markets; a WCM mentor; and a 1-year WCM membership.

Click here to learn more about this award and to apply.

Other WCM programs

High School Liaisons

The High School Liaison Program encourages young women in their senior high school years to consider a career in the capital markets and to enroll in the necessary math and other courses required for post-secondary education. This is done through high school classroom presentations and a job shadow day. WCM also participates in the Rotman School of Management's SheBiz Symposium for female Grade 10 and 11 students held each year in November.

University Connections

The WCM University Connections Program encourages women enrolled in commerce and business programs at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels to learn about career opportunities in the capital markets industry.

The program is supported by the University Connections Committee which strives to increase the profile of top female business professionals and helps to address misconceptions students may have about the capital markets industry. The Program offers events to educate students about the evolving culture in the industry and the wide variety of opportunities available to those seeking fulfilling careers.

In support of WCM's efforts to educate and encourage female students, their volunteers host numerous on-campus events, including organizing mock interview sessions and arranging for female professionals to visit classrooms. WCM also provides educational resources to students to help them prepare for job interviews and their careers.

In addition, the University Connections Program supports the efforts of the Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship to provide the opportunity to market these important programs to students at an early stage.

WCM has delivered capital markets career presentations to several universities including Queen's University, University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management (She-Biz Symposium), University of Western Ontario, and York University.