Carson Group is proud that Excell 2021 has been recognized for its commitment to representation by Choir, a diversity platform focused on amplifying the voices of financial professionals who are women, non-binary people and people of color.
Excell 2021 is in the first cohort of Choir-certified events.
To qualify for the Choir certification, applicants are assessed on the visibility of those groups on stage in comparison with their representation in the U.S. population. Conferences must score well above the industry average to receive the distinction.
The financial services industry’s diversity problem is well known, and at Carson, we believe that it takes more than words to compel change – we must work together to take positive steps forward.
“Conferences are all about building community within the industry,” said Mary Kate Gulick, Chief Marketing Officer at Carson Group. “I love the idea of bringing new voices to the stage, to keep challenging us, exposing us to new perspectives, and more accurately representing the people we’re serving. I think Choir has given us a structured way to hear from a wider variety of experts, and we’ll all benefit.”
Diversity, equity and inclusion isn’t limited to one event in one year. The speaker lineup at Excell 2022 also showcases an array of backgrounds and perspectives, so we can grow together and revolutionize the field.
After all, change starts with us.
Sonya Dreizler, co-founder of Choir, said in a news release that many conference speakers and attendees are paying attention to who is represented at the events they choose to attend, and she expects that momentum to continue.
“We are honored that this group of well-respected organizations has taken the leap with us and made the first steps toward changing who our industry listens to,” Dreizler went on. “…If the initial momentum of Certified Conferences and 220+ Choir Pledge signers are any indications, we anticipate that this is the start of the long-overdue change we’ve been hoping to see.”
Carson’s commitment to promoting diversity extends beyond its events. It’s integral to stakeholder training, and we’ve made it more accessible to our peers by offering financial advisors a complimentary online course called “Missed Opportunity: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Financial Services Industry.”
Carson’s hope is to be a leader in transforming the industry, so it’s a more accessible and diverse space.