Women Leaders in Financial Infrastructure - London 2019

On 19 November 2019, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) and The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC), in collaboration with Diana Chan, the former CEO of EuroCCP, organised the 4th Annual Women Leaders in Financial Infrastructure Conference. The event was held at the offices of Clifford Chance in London.

The event began with opening remarks from April Day, Managing Director, Head of Equities, AFME. Next followed the conference’s keynote address from Brigitte Daurelle, Chief Executive Officer, Euroclear Belgium, Euroclear France, Euroclear Nederland. Brigitte spoke about how she managed a successful career, while looking after a family.

This address was followed by a panel entitled ‘Building a Culture that Embraces Women Leaders’. Participants included: Adrienne Muir, Chief Operating Officer, VoxSmart, and Director of WILD; Caroline Meinertz, Partner, Clifford Chance; Danielle Menash; Founder of QiDanChi; Jane Karczewski, Managing Director, Head of Global Custody, HSBC, Board Member, London Women’s Forum; and Tracy Watkinson, Managing Director – UK ServiceCo COO and Strategic Change Program Director, Credit Suisse. This panel focused on issues ranging from the presence of unconscious bias in the workplace, to the powerful effect of feminine qualities

The second panel session of the day was entitled ‘Gaining Visibility/Expanding Influence’, and was moderated by Rosie Donachie, Group Head of Government Affairs, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Speakers included Corentine Poilvet-Clediere, Head of RepoClear and Collateral and Liquidity Management, LCH; Kathryn Herrington, Chief Administrative Officer, CLS Bank International; Sian Hurrell, Head of Fixed Income and Currencies, Europe and Global Head of FX, Royal Bank of Canada; and Virginie Saade, Head of Government and Regulatory Policy, Europe, Citadel. This panel discussed the meaning of influence and the importance of striking the balance between an authentic and consistent leader

The event concluded with a fireside chat between Diana Chan, Independent Non-Executive Director, Euroclear and Marie Chinnici-Everitt, Chief Marketing Officer and Tampa Regional Manager, DTCC. Diana shared her inspiring life-story, from her refugee roots to becoming a highly respected leader in the financial sector.

Marie Chinnici-Everitt, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer, DTCC said: “It was rewarding to see the engagement and interaction among the women attendees – sharing ideas and best practices for developing and growing their careers.”

April Day, Managing Director, Head of Equities, AFME added: “It was a real privilege to hear first-hand the career experiences and guidance from our impressive panellists, and it was fantastic that our audience could engage in such an interactive way.’’