Stephanie Nance Gordon

I would say my parents always instilled hard work. You know, they didn't care if I had to make straight A's, like, they thought that was great, but if I came home with a C, and I was working hard, they were cool with that, just as long as they knew that I was doing my absolute best. I think there's always just been a direct correlation in my life between how hard I'm working towards something and the energy and time I'm working towards it, and the outcome. You know, if I'm kind of going half speed, I'm going to get half-speed results. So, when you're continuously seeing those rewards come from reaping what you sow, it gives you that energy to keep going at that speed.

I would say take a seat at the table. I think as women sometimes it's ingrained in us to kind of take a backseat to the men, to the people that are more superior in the business, older, a little more outgoing, outspoken, but one of my old mentors said, take a seat at the table, be at the table, speak your mind, be present. Even if it is a little bit uncomfortable at first, don't be afraid to let people know that you're there. You're taking up space.

I would say you're not just a pretty face. We absolutely... I don't know, I feel like science and math is still so geared towards men, so sometimes when you see a woman in the finance industry, you know, they're kind of hush-hushed or overlooked, but again, just take up space. You absolutely have things to say, your opinion, your input on things is just as impactful and should be listened to, so stand up for yourself, and don't get in your own way with those insecurities.

I'd hate to say, like, the same thing, right? Just about, like, being a woman. Sometimes you have to really mind your way into the conversation. Yeah, I would say, for me, sometimes I can kind of count myself out, and I have to remind myself I've fought all the way here by myself, really. And it's my job to plunge ahead and really help those women underneath me, too. Turn around and pull them up.

I would say grit. It's really easy to deliver a product, or not even just at work, but in life, when things are going really well. But when they're not, your character is really defined by how you show up then. So, when things are kind of going off the rails, when things are really high stress, when people are upset and, you know, there's sensitive topics and information, it's how you hold yourself together and roll up your sleeves and still show up and get things done well.