Opportunities abound for women in the insurance industry who are willing to ask, according to Mary Hagerman (pictured), Montreal-based portfolio manager at Desjardins Securities.
“Women tend to get passed over when it comes to who should be given a challenge,” said Hagerman. “The door has definitely been opened to women to move forward, but now it’s up to us to kick it the rest of the way open.
“You can’t underestimate the importance of asking,” she added. “Young women really have to ask for a networking opportunity, ask for career advancement, ask for more responsibility. It won’t necessarily come to you just because you think you want it. You will be shocked to see how much of what you ask for you will get.”
Hagerman has never shied away from seeking opportunities, despite facing challenges along the way. As one of few women in the business during the early stages of her career, Hagerman found a lack of female role models and mentors and was subjected to the “boys’ club” mentality on occasion.
“When I first started as a portfolio manager, it was suggested to me that I would be better off working with a man as my superior, instead of working alone,” she said. “Since then there has been a big turnaround in the expectation of who can be a portfolio manager.”
Hagerman has always valued the flexible nature of the industry during her 30 year-tenure at Desjardins, not least when she was caring for three children and her aging mother. She believes that women are ideally suited to the role of portfolio manager and encourages other women to pursue a career in her field.
“Female clients appreciate doing business with female portfolio managers,” she said. “They enjoy the softer touch that a woman might bring.”
Hagerman’s advice to young women at the start of a career is: “Do the networking that’s available so you can meet people who provide guidance. You can have a long fruitful career in the financial world but staying healthy is really important so slow down and take care of yourself.”
