Three WCM Return to Bay Street Award winners secure full-time roles in capital markets

TORONTO, April 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Women in Capital Markets (WCM) is pleased to announce that three 2013 Return to Bay Street (RTBS) Award winners - Rakhi Tejani, Christie MacDonald and Barbara Glassford - have successfully transitioned their paid internships into full-time positions in Canadian capital markets. The RTBS Award is given to high-calibre professional business women who are ready to re-launch their careers in the industry after a brief hiatus from capital markets.

Since launching the RTBS program in 2010, six awards have been presented and all winners have successfully secured full-time leadership roles in capital markets. Past winners include Mary Ann Mendes (2013), Sheralyn Mills (2012) and Catherine Staveley (2012).

"I'm extremely grateful for the support of Women in Capital Markets and BMO Capital Markets for helping me to transition my experience into a new and exciting phase in my professional career. It is programs like these that truly make a difference and strengthen the capital markets," said Christie MacDonald, Director, Cross Business Structuring, Financial Products, BMO Capital Markets.

"The RTBS Award clearly demonstrates WCM and National Bank Financial's commitment to supporting women's ability to make a meaningful impact within the capital markets industry.  This award is unique in that it sets up women for success by not only providing a paid internship but also a senior-level mentor and funding to upgrade skills. The RTBS award has provided me with an excellent platform to re-launch my career," said Rakhi Tejani, National Bank Financial.

"This program is a commendable example of what Bay Street is doing to return a valuable pool of female talent into senior roles in capital markets.  I congratulate these women on their new roles and wish them continued success," said Jennifer Reynolds, CEO of Women in Capital Markets. "WCM looks forward to welcoming a new cohort later this month when we kickoff the 2014 RTBS program with the RTBS Conference on April 28 in Toronto."

As part of the RTBS program, a conference for women interested in re-launching their careers in capital markets will be held in Toronto on April 28. The registration deadline for the conference is Tuesday, April 22. Completed applications to apply for the RTBS Award are due Monday, May 12. Individuals wishing to attend the conference or apply for the award can visit WCM.ca, email [email protected] or call 416-502-3614 for information.

The internships this year will be generously provided by the 2014 RTBS Program sponsors BMO Capital Markets, National Bank Financial Markets, RBC Capital Markets, and Scotiabank.

About WCM
WCM is a non-profit organization which advocates for the increased representation and advancement of women into senior leadership roles in the Canadian capital markets industry. WCM's membership is over a 1200 members strong with women working in all segments of the capital markets and includes many of the most senior female executives in Canada's largest financial institutions. WCM.ca

About WCM Return to Bay Street (RTBS) Awards
The Return to Bay Street Program is currently sponsored and supported by BMO Capital Markets, National Bank Financial Markets, RBC Capital Markets, and Scotiabank. These banks joined forces in 2013 to grow the initiative founded by BMO Capital Markets through their Equity Through Education program in 2010. The WCM RTBS Awards Program assists talented women with a previous career in capital markets re-launch a full-time career in Canadian capital markets after an extended period of absence from the industry. The Program includes a one-day conference designed to educate women about opportunities in the industry and prepare them to return to the industry, and an award component that provides a $5,000 education grant, a paid four-month internship at one of the sponsor banks, a WCM mentor and a one-year WCM Membership.

SOURCE: Women in Capital Markets (WCM)

Media contact: Susan Floyd, WCM PR and Media Relations, [email protected], 416-980-3304