FOREIGN EXCHANGE
something I feel incredibly passionate
about. At Vanguard, we have great
programs and opportunities in place
for our employees to foster and
capitalize on diversity. For instance, I am
actively involved in Vanguard’s Women
Inspiring Leadership Success group. As
a male representative, I offer a different
perspective and help to address issues
surrounding unconscious bias and
the importance of male mentors and
sponsors in the workplace. My FX trader,
Alexcia Mazahreh, and I sponsored a
“Diversity and Inclusion Lunch” where
participants brought in food from their
respective cultures. The food included a
brief history write-up and the recipe. The
event was widely attended. We learned
a lot about our fellow co-workers and
also experienced excellent food. We have
another day planned for later this year.
Reflecting on leadership, I believe the
two most critical components a good
leader should encompass are empathy
and authenticity. Leaders should be
empathetic and put themselves in
the shoes of their team members.
Additionally, I am a big believer in being
honest with my colleagues. A good
leader should speak from an authentic
perspective – it drives trust and respect
among their team.
What diversity and inclusion activities
have you been actively participating in?
The one activity that garnered a lot of
attention recently was the “Take Your
Daughter to Work Day” event I hosted.
About three years ago, I took my 7-year-
old daughter to the Vanguard trading
desk, and as we asked her if this was
something she wants to do when she
gets older, she replied “No, this is a boy’s
job.” I thought, “wow, this is a seven-year-
old with this narrative,” and I wanted to
find a way to change that story. I put
a team together and we hosted the
first “Take Your Daughter to Work Day”
event and brought in 35 daughters of
employees to the office. We were able
to show younger girls that investment
management and finance is a great
career for them. We spoke to them about
the job itself, finding a successful career,
and highlighted the fact that many
women have made a positive impact
on our industry. In our third year now,
we have had over 100 daughters attend
the annual event and the feedback has
been great. This is an effort to influence
Summer 2019
younger girls, as they begin thinking
through career choices, and helping
them realize this is a great career where
they can be successful.
Our initial program has since
evolved. We’re exploring bringing in
underprivileged kids to our workplace
to introduce the idea of working in
investment management and finance.
We are working on branding the day to
encourage other investment firms to do
something similar. Instead of making
an impact with 100 children, maybe
this initiative could reach thousands. It’s
our hope that we continue to see the
number of women and people of other
backgrounds and experiences establish
successful careers in our industry. It is
proven fact that diversity adds value;
diverse teams generate better business
results. Additionally, diversity is an
important characteristic from a talent
perspective. Recruits want to work in a
diverse and inclusive work environment,
and it’s important that organizations take
diversity seriously and exhibit how they
foster such an environment.
What changes do you see are needed to
make the buy-side trading desks a more
inclusive and diverse work place?
Resources onto the desk. She added such
a unique viewpoint that we are trying to
add her permanently.
Additionally, I—and Vanguard—
recognize that we still have work to do
when it comes to gender diversity in
the investment management industry.
I’m sure the same can be said for many
other industry participants. At Vanguard,
and in my division specifically, we’re
working towards making the workplace
a truly inclusive environment for all. This
work comes in many different forms,
from detailed trainings and exercises to
team building events. We are committed
to making the working environment
attractive for all our crew.
Who is Andrew Maack outside of the
workplace?
I am a father, husband, coach, brother,
son, and now an MBA student at
Wharton. I am also a business owner of a
family golf course, which is a fun learning
experience. Family is really important; I
live close to my family and every Sunday
we meet up to see each other; my mum,
dad, brothers and sisters and the kids.
It feels like 52 Christmas parties every
year and it is a really nice experience. A
Sunday dinner may also fall on a Monday,
and it’s still called Sunday Dinner. The
weekly Sunday dinner is engrained in my
children and it is important to me.
I like to travel and work out.
A best practice our desk applies, and
could be adopted on other trading
desks, is keeping an open mind when
it comes to talent. People of different
backgrounds,
experiences, and
with different skillsets
can offer so much
value to a team.
Desks should be
open to people with
varying perspectives
and more “outside
the box” talent.
One way our group
takes advantage
of diversity of
perspective and
experience is by
providing internship
opportunities. By
Andy's daughter, Madelynn on "Take your daughter to work day"
providing internships
and a glimpse into a
role at the desk, we’ve
been able to give employees the chance
Working out is my form of escape. Even
to see if the role is ideal for them while
if you can get 30 mins for yourself to
taking advantage of the different skills
forget about things and concentrate on
they bring to the table. For example, we
a simple task, in a repetitive state, it helps
recently invited an intern from Human
to clear your mind.
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