Wall Streets finest women were formally recognized by their peers Wednesday evening, as 190 industry executives, family, friends and past honorees celebrated the group outstanding contributions and achievements.
Traders Magazine held its third annual Wall Street Women: A Celebration of Excellence awards gala last night at the J.W. Marriott Essex House in New York City. The event honored 15 women for their exceptional achievements in a industry that has been since its inception dominated by men.
Awards were given out in 8 categories: Lifetime Achievement, Excellence in Leadership, Rising Star, Crystal Ladder, Charitable Works, Industry Trailblazer, Mentor of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year.
The honorees were selected by an anonymous panel of their peers from over 50 nominees after an open nomination process.
[See a Slideshow of the 2013 Winners]
It is really special to be selected and recognized by your peers, said Christine Sandler, executive vice president, global sales, at NYSE Euronext and winner of one of the two Excellence in Leadership Awards. Its really an achievement to be nominated and win when judged by your peers.
Johanna Rossi, head trader at Alden Global Capital and winner of one of the evenings two Industry Trailblazer awards told Traders Magazine she was thrilled to win and be among Wall Streets elite female power people.
I find myself extremely honored to be receiving Wall Street Women’s Trailblazer Award, Ross said. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for my work and thankful to Traders Magazine for recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of talented women in the industry.
She added that it was important to recognize the talent, commitment, and accomplishment that women make to the Wall Street community.
[Here is Complete List of the Winners]
The evening was punctuated by a passionate keynote speech from Bloomberg News TV Anchor Stephanie Ruhle who told attendees that Wall Street and life just isnt fair and that women had to keep on striving to reach their goals and achieve their potential.
We need to take our future and destiny into our own hands-we dont have anything to lose, Ruhle said. At first for women it was about tenacity, perseverance and other issues. But now that weve shown we have these qualities, we need to move the employment needle ourselves and scratch that needle right across the record.
She illustrated her point by reminding attendees that there are only 20 female CEOs among the Fortune 500 firms.
We still have work to do and be willing to take a risk, she said.
