FinTech and DEI Symposium – Calgary, Alberta

Event Overview:

The Black Women Business Network (BWBN) is proud to announce its FinTech and DEI Symposium, which will take place on November 7, 2024, in Calgary, Alberta, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event aims to improve the representation of Black professionals in Alberta’s banking and finance sector, focusing on their participation in senior management and high-growth areas transformed by financial technology (FinTech).

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the symposium will create a platform to engage industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and Black professionals in dialogue on building a diverse and future-ready workforce.

Purpose of the Symposium:

The financial services sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to the rise of FinTech, significantly impacting job roles, required skills, and the overall industry structure. Research shows that Black individuals in Alberta’s banking and finance sector are disproportionately overrepresented in entry-level clerical and administrative roles in banking and finance, many of which are highly susceptible to automation. Conversely, they remain significantly underrepresented in professional, supervisory, managerial, and senior management roles. You can view some of our research findings .

FinTech and associated technologies has the potential to be a game-changer in addressing the underrepresentation of Black professionals in Alberta and B.C.’s banking and finance sector. However, to unlock this potential, a concerted effort is needed from industry leaders, policymakers, and educational institutions to create pathways for Black professionals in this sector to thrive in the Fintech Age.

The symposium aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Raising Awareness: Share BWBN’s WORBE project findings and feature personal stories on the status of Black professionals in banking and finance.
• Highlighting Opportunities: Introduce new career paths and growth areas in FinTech, focusing on leadership development and upskilling to prepare Black professionals for high-growth roles.
• Empowering Employers: Offer practical strategies and tools to support Black professionals in developing leadership skills and transitioning into FinTech roles.
• Building Partnerships: Foster collaborations between employers, industry leaders, policymakers, educational institutions and community organizations to create sustainable pathways for Black professionals

Event Schedule

5:00 – 5:30 PM: Registration and Networking Reception

5:30 – 6:00 PM: Welcome Presentations

• Focus: Why we are here

6:00 – 6:15 PM:: Keynote Address

• Topic: The impact of AI and FinTech on finance jobs and resources, and the way forward

6:15 – 7:00 PM: : Storytelling Session

-A panel of Black professionals and leaders share personal stories about their journeys in finance and FinTech, covering:-

• Overcoming systemic barriers
• Navigating leadership roles
• Dealing with job displacement
• Offering inspiration and practical insights on resilience and growth

7:00 – 7:15 PM: Break

• Musical Transition

7:15 – 8:00 PM: : Expert Panel Session

-Discussion: "Building a Future-Ready Black Workforce for the Banking and Finance Sector"

-Topics covered:

• Resources employers can provide to assist Black professionals transitioning into FinTech
• Initiatives to build a future-ready Black workforce
• Critical leadership skills for advancement
• Challenges faced by Black professionals transitioning to FinTech roles
• Steps for transitioning into specialized FinTech areas like AI, blockchain, and digital banking

8:00 – 8:15 PM: Call to Action

• Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

8:15 – 8:20 PM: Closing Remarks

• Encouraging actionable steps to support Black professionals in the sector

Please RSVP by October 31, 2024, to confirm your attendance.

For more details about the event or to RSVP, please contact:

Anointing Momoh
Project Manager
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
[email protected]

Yinka Fasheun
Community Engagement Consultant
Black Women Business Network (BWBN)
[email protected]

Host or Publisher Black Women Business Network Canada