Keep going: Women in finance say ‘own your professional development’ as they wrap Women’s History Month

Belinda G. Schwartz, executive chair of Herrick and co-chair of the Real Estate Practice, spoke with Pensions & Investments about what advice and keys to success women in leadership positions can offer those navigating their own career. 

The article highlighted Belinda's experience on the legal side of the asset management business. "The hardest thing for some women is becoming a business generator," said Belinda.

"Not everyone wants to be a business generator, but being a business generator takes an enormous amount of time (and) energy, and you need to have a pretty thick skin," Belinda added. "It doesn’t happen necessarily overnight, and it can take years to develop a really good roster of clients. Then, you have to make sure you retain them by doing a great job. It’s just a different kind of work."

Among words of wisdom Belinda had to share with younger women starting their careers, she told them not to be afraid, disenchanted or disappointed, and instead to work hard and be a team player. But in addition to those, she advised to "own your professional development."

"Don’t assume somebody else is going to do it for you — and you know, good luck," Belinda said. "It’s worked out for me, but I’m a very lucky person. What can I say?"

Read the full article in Pensions & Investments here. Access may require a subscription.