Cheer on the Olympic women athletes today, because they’ll likely be our leaders tomorrow!

Julie Smulders is a proven leader, bringing over 15 years of experience in the investment management industry to her role as Chief Operating Officer of Willoughby Asset Management Inc., the investment fund manager of The Harbourfront Group. Julie’s leadership skills are built on a solid foundation from thousands of hours training and playing elite-level sports.

With the Olympic flame igniting passions worldwide, it’s truly awe-inspiring to witness the immense dedication and perseverance that athletes pour into this pinnacle moment. Athletes globally are gearing up to have the performance of their lives, vying for the coveted title of being the best in the world. This pursuit of excellence is a privilege and an extraordinary accomplishment, achievable by only a select few who reach the pinnacle of their sport.

While we witness these remarkable athletes shine on the podium, what often goes unseen is the profound journey that led them there. The unwavering commitment to early morning training sessions, the tenacity to bounce back from setbacks time and again, the fierce determination to push beyond limits, and the essential qualities of leadership and teamwork required to stand together as a team on that top podium.

Celebrating victories and glory is undoubtedly exhilarating, but it’s the invaluable lessons ingrained through the crucible of sports that endure. The virtues of discipline, drive, resilience, competitive spirit, leadership, and various other skills cultivated over the years remain etched in your character. These lessons, learned through the challenges and triumphs of sports, are invaluable and enduring, shaping not just athletes but also leaders in all walks of life.

Indeed, sports serve as a potent avenue for empowering women to thrive in lucrative, high-stakes positions, fostering both individual and collective prosperity when their playing days are over. This sets women athletes apart as exceptional leaders in male-dominated fields like wealth management. At Harbourfront Wealth Management, the majority of our female leaders boast a background in sports. This trend isn’t unique to us; a study by EY revealed that 94% of women in top executive roles have a sports background, with 52% having competed at a university level or higher.

Personally, my ascent up the corporate ladder wasn’t due to technical acumen (though vital); rather, it was the ability to connect with others as teammates and collaboratively steer towards shared business objectives, skills refined through my early sporting experiences.

Tragically, the link between sports skills and future career triumphs isn’t always apparent to young girls and their families. Statistics from Canadian Women and Sports reveal a concerning dropout rate among girls in sports during their early teens (1/3), disproportionately higher compared to boys of the same age (1/10). Societal pressures, coupled with the lack of role models, may contribute to this trend, inadvertently hindering girls from leveraging sports’ confidence-boosting benefits.

This disparity bears long-term implications as we strive for a more inclusive leadership landscape, proven to foster resilient organizations, empowered societies, and enhanced financial outcomes. Hence, the ongoing shift towards gender parity in athletic participation and the burgeoning prominence of women’s sports mark pivotal milestones. Young girls necessitate relatable role models both on the field and in boardrooms, underscoring the significance of elevating women in sports and paving pathways for future female athletes to ascend to leadership roles, thereby nurturing a brighter, more equitable future.

That’s why the significance of these Olympics cannot be overstated. This year marks the first time that gender parity has been reached for athletes at the Games, offering up numerous female athletes as role models. As sports often reflect broader societal trends, this milestone heralds an inspiring future for everyone and more reason to cheer for these athletes over the next few weeks.

At Harbourfront Wealth, we ardently champion this cause and extend our support to initiatives like SHE’S GOT NEXT, a community uniting elite Canadian women athletes, past and present. Together, they strive to elevate Canadian women’s sports and open doors for the next generation through visibility, funding, and networking opportunities, enabling women athletes to scale new heights and embody the belief that you can be an athlete on the field and a leader in the boardroom.

If you’re looking to join a team like Harbourfront Wealth, connect with our Partner Evaluation team.

Disclaimer:
All comments are of a general nature and should not be relied upon as individual advice. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary may not necessarily reflect those of Harbourfront Wealth Management. The asset classes featured in this piece are for illustration purpose only and should not be viewed as a solicitation of buy or sell. While every attempt is made to ensure accuracy, facts and figures are not guaranteed, the content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing or tax advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.