WiFA is committed to empower women to achieve their full professional potential by inspiring both women and men to become advocates, change makers, and leaders in our community. We equip our members with resources, opportunities, and a global platform that facilitates networking, learning, and sharing of experiences. To further that commitment, we partnered with Ladies Who Tech (LWT) to hold a virtual event on how to improve interviewer skills to provide women guidance so they are prepared to actively hire for their organizations when recruiting for new openings (link in article below). This is especially relevant for women working in the STEM fields.

WiFA’s signature fitness challenge in support of RUN is off and running!

The support and drive behind this event would not have been possible without our many dedicated colleagues from both organizations. We have 58 teams from diverse organizations competing in this challenge. It is the most RUN have ever had from their previous corporate challenges so our number speaks volumes. It is through RUN’s programmes and joint fundraising efforts that drive their cause further forward. As an association committed to be change makers and leaders in the community, WiFA views this as an opportunity to facilitate funds raised through togetherness and sharing of experiences. If you feel you cannot join us at this time, you can still contribute (at the above link) to the fundraising effort by supporting your team(s).

Let's support our teams for this worthy cause. See you at the finish line!

Ladies Who Tech (LWT) and WiFA are partnering together to hold a virtual event on how to improve interviewer skills. A panel of female interviewers will share their stories and tips on how to be a successful interviewer. Experts from different career paths will provide guidance to women on how to actively become interviewers for their teams when they recruit for new openings. The panelists’ interviewing experiences include hiring for the tech and finance industries as well as the public sector.

Bonnie So, COO Enterprise Technology and Services, Morgan Stanley and WiFA Co-Chair

Bonnie Ohri, Government Consultant and WiFA Board Member

Linhua Li, Data Science Manager, Twitter

Rong Yu, Tech Lead, Indeed

When: Saturday, September 18

Time:10am -11:30am

Format: Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86434366858?pwd=QnBCVWw1a3c3a2M3SWVPaDZiVG90dz09

Format: https://www.womentors.co/event-details/womenomics-the-advancement-of-economics

Continuing last year’s success, the WiFA Networking committee is pleased to announce the line-up for the 2021 Edition of The Art of Persuasion series of events focused on PERSUASION, the art of connecting with others through communication to lead to better understanding and positive change. It is often described as the ‘art’ of persuasion because it does not follow a formula, it must be practiced in the moment. Understanding more about this can not only help you learn to influence others, but it can also help you to influence yourself to make the changes you want.

Earlier this year, we honoured and celebrated the amazing women who work in our financial services community through the WiFA 2021 Spotlight Interview Series. Now, WiFA would like to shine a spotlight on our male allies during the month of September & October. WiFA’s goal with the male ally series is to share stories on how the men we work with support and uplift female colleagues to build a more inclusive and efficient workplace.

Please reach out to Bonnie Ohri at bonnie.ohri@wifasia.org to nominate a male ally that you feel has provided exceptional support to a woman in finance.

The 2021 International Women’s Day theme asked us to ‘#choosetochallenge’, and we said YES. WiFA responded to this call to action by organising a virtual discussion to challenge the taboo subject of menopause.

In an informative and engaging session entitled ‘Understanding Menopause and Andropause’, featuring Dr. Laurena Law and Colin Symmonds, and moderated by Jennifer Hsieh, more than 70 participants joined in a lively discussion on many aspects of menopause and andropause.

Over the course of an hour, Dr. Laurena and Colin deconstructed and demystified for us the often repeated but not well-understood concepts of ‘menopause’, ‘peri-menopause’, and ‘andropause’.

Many key insights were shared, including:

· Menopause and andropause refer to stages of hormonal change that lead to changes in our bodies, BUT to focus on ‘hormones’ exclusively would miss the forest for the trees

· Interventions such hormone replacements and supplements can be helpful, but to focus on these without living a healthy lifestyle would be like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic

· Some lifestyle habits to consider:

o Resistance / weight bearing exercises for bone health

o Eating a variety of whole foods, in particular vegetables, is good in so many ways: for gut health; to keep inflammation in check; for heart health; for proper weight management

o Stress management – meditation; slowing down when needed

o Moderate alcohol consumption

o No smoking

· Become aware of what’s going in our bodies and talk about it – to break the taboo, to get support

We sincerely thank Dr. Laurena Law (of Ananta Wellbeing) and Colin Symmonds (of Joint Dynamics) for taking the time to help us better arm ourselves with information with which to do our own research, have the necessary conversations with our doctors, and decide the best course forward for ourselves.

WiFA intends to continue to #choosetochallenge by organising more events and programs on this topic, so stay tuned for more ways to learn and get involved!

- Adam Reeson, Sharlene Jacquier, and Annie Hon from Joint Dynamics

The in-person event spots are limited to comply with Covid restrictions (first come, first serve). ACT FAST! Virtual real-time live stream event available to anyone. A link will be sent to ticket holders 24 hours before the event.

Registration links:

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