“When smart motivated people come together with a common goal there is no end to what they can achieve. This growing community of WCOOC brings together some of the best and brightest experienced professionals, joined by shared desires to promote equal opportunities, excellence and innovation. I am honoured to be a member of this community as an ambassador.”

Rowena Everson, Head of Digital Channels and Data Analytics for the West region at Standard Chartered Bank

“The COO has a unique and wide-reaching role with the capability and responsibility to inspire, impact and empower change across the entire organisation.  As such, it is extremely valuable to have a forum like the WCOOC to exchange ideas, meet likeminded people and strengthen resolve to create environments of complete inclusion allowing everyone to bring their whole self to work.”

Peter Zorn, Talent and Transformation, IBM Consulting

“As a female COO, manager of talented women, and mother of two daughters, the advancement and development of the next generation of female leaders is close to my heart. It’s a privilege to join the Steering Committee for Women in the COO Community, which has grown into a vibrant network of accomplished women who are actively supporting each others growth and success.”

Rebecca Crowe, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at BNY Mellon

“I have been engaged with the WCOOC and the Armstrong Wolfe community since inception. The WCOOC community is both relevant and pertinent given the challenges that the COO, and wider C-suite faces. More critically it provides an excellent, safe space platform, sandbox if you will, for critical discussions on the often highly complex commercial, regulatory and human elements of our business.”

David Sharratt, COO Asia, Commerzbank

“The WCOOC is an outstanding collaborative forum bringing together the COO (and wider) community to engage, learn, network and examine in detail the key topics and challenges impacting business today and in the future. As a rare cross-industry platform it provides a unique opportunity for the COO community to come together and support each other in what are increasingly challenging roles in increasingly challenging times.”

Stephen Miller, Chief Information Officer, Arco

“The role of the COO has been my most challenging and at the same time most rewarding of my career to date. Being an ambassador for  Women in the COO Community allows me to support others and share my experiences in what is an often misunderstood role with few experienced resources to lean on.”

Rich Evans, Former Head of Equities, EMEA, Barclays and Current Head of Prime, CEX.IO

“Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion is not just a commitment, infact it is a driving force in shaping the future of our industry. I am honoured to join the WCOOC Steering Committee and look forward to passionately contributing to the journey of fostering a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape for all.”

Fatema Bookwala, Managing Director, Managing Director & COO Markets and Securities Services ASEAN, HSBC

“Being equally able and allowed to develop ones full potential in the workplace should not be a topic of discussion anymore in this day and age. Unfortunately it still is. Creating and supporting avenues that enable the right environment to ensure everyone has access to equal opportunities remains urgent and important. As a woman with a career in Finance, I know it is not a given for everyone to break or confront barriers in adverse environments. I have seen firsthand how WCOOC is paving the way and supporting talented women in our industry across all walks of life. I am extremely honored and proud to be able to contribute as a steering Committee Member.”

Sietske Kalse, Managing Director, COO and Head of Business Development, Citi

“The COO role covers a wide range of responsibilities and a unique set of challenges. It is so important and invaluable to have a community like WCOOC that supports us to deliver and develop both professionally and personally.”

Kimberly Ong, EMEA & Asia COO Asset Management Solutions, J.P. Morgan Asset Management

“I refuse to believe that women do not have the potential to achieve success at the highest levels of business given their proven academic achievements and business contributions and yet, we continue to see the gender gap persisting. Our customers, shareholders and communities are being failed because businesses are not tapping into the full, representative talent pool available to them, being unconsciously (or consciously) trapped by biases and held back by the legacy overhang of accepted practices. I’ve been an active member of the Armstrong Wolfe WCOOC for a number of years and love how it brings individuals together, agnostic of organisation and geography, to collaborate, challenge accepted norms and share best practice with the common aim of improving diversity and inclusion and, in doing so, improving the outcomes for our clients, our shareholders and our communities as a whole. I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute more actively as a WCOOC Ambassador moving forward.”

Helen Hughes-Green, Managing Director, ICG Head of Client Conduct Risk, Citi