Women on the Move is JPMorgan Chase’s global diversity effort to support women, both inside and outside of the firm. Through working to expand women-run businesses, increase access to financial health tools and empower women’s career growth, JPMorgan Chase is taking even more steps to drive equity and advancement in their offices — as well as communities. Globally, nearly half of the firm’s employees are women.
“When we launched Women on the Move in 2018, we realized the need for a more coordinated and centralized effort to continue supporting women globally,” recalls Sam Saperstein, Global Head of Women on the Move.
“Our initiative focuses on areas where we, as a bank, can drive impact,” Saperstein said. “Those areas are women’s entrepreneurship, financial health and literacy, and career development.”
Since launching, Women on the Move has been committed to creating equitable pathways to opportunities that will enable women to achieve financial well-being, grow their skills and businesses, and advance their careers.
According to Saperstein, in the area of women’s entrepreneurship, they developed the Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs program to help small business owners to “really get better at running their businesses in areas like cash flow management, operations, branding, and vendor management.”
“This is something that we’re really proud of,” Saperstein told Traders Magazine, adding that to date they reached more than 5,000 entrepreneurs through the program. “It’s something that just continues to thrive, and we know we reach a very diverse group of women in doing that,” she added.
Saperstein also highlighted Women on the Move’s careers and skill development programs: “We’ve reached thousands of our employees and help them understand what it is they want, for themselves and their careers. We encourage them to set high aspirations for themselves and achieve them through a goal-oriented approach.”
She added that in terms of financial health, they have supported several financial literacy programs in collaboration with many different nonprofits and educational institutions outside of the firm.
“A combination of all those efforts over the years has helped us to reach tens of thousands of girls and women by providing education and tools when it comes to areas such as savings, budgeting and ultimately investing, so that they can build their own wealth and lead independent financial lives.”
According to Saperstein, many of the Women on the Move’s initiatives are events driven, with some being virtual. “The Curated Coaching for Entrepreneurs program is virtual, so we are able to meet with business owners all around the country in small group sessions.”
One of the biggest events that JPMorgan Chase hosts for employees and clients is their annual Women’s Leadership Day, a conference that brings together thousands of attendees in-person in New York City as well as virtually around the globe.
“For nine years now, Women’s Leadership has given us an opportunity us to come together, to celebrate women’s progress, discuss leadership, and energize our community through the ups and downs women face,” she stressed.
This year, the event will be held on October 25: “We’re really excited to bring together a fantastic lineup of speakers, along with women employees, men, allies and clients all coming together as one community.”
Saperstein said that like many companies, JPMorgan Chase has business resource groups, providing a collaborative forum for all employees to come together to support and uplift various communities and topics.
“The Women on the Move Business Resource Group is one of 10 throughout the company and comprised of tens of thousands of employees globally,” said Saperstein, adding that the initiative is an important part of the organization, allowing it to drive greater impact.
“Members of the Women on the Move Business Resource Group go into communities in cities and countries around the world to network among each other, do volunteer efforts, and host events for girls and young women, inspiring and showing them what’s possible in their careers.”
She emphasized the importance of men and allies: “Men and allies are integral to Women on the Move, and crucial to the progress we’ve made and continue to make to ensure women thrive in their professional and personal lives.”
Saperstein stressed that JPMorgan believes that diversity of thought and backgrounds and experience is what makes them, a better firm. “At JPMorgan Chase, we believe that building a stronger, more inclusive economy that benefits everyone is good for people, business and society,” she concluded.
