Partner, Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer is the Chief Financial Officer at Freestone but a career in financial services was never something she envisioned for herself.
Her role is typically held by men, but she recognizes that the industry tends to be male dominated and uses that to her advantage. Jen loves to golf, travel and has enjoyed time volunteering for organizations that foster mentorships and reach children in her community.
How can women succeed in the industry?
Try to be open-minded and work to understand other’s perspectives without being offended or judgmental. I think that women offer a unique perspective on many things. If you are willing to listen and make an effort to understand, you can win much more respect and appreciation
I have found success at Freestone by being willing to be a part of our peer group. Having been the only woman in a room full of men for at least three quarters of my career, I have learned you have to be willing to roll with the punches a little. You can learn a few things when you consider different perspectives, so you shouldn’t be afraid to put your perspective out there.
What are some skills that have helped you be successful in your career?
I think being a good listener and coming from a place of empathy is incredibly important. A lot of people make the mistake of asking “what are you going to do for me?” before asking what you can do for them. If you are willing to put in the work, fall on your face a handful of times and keep moving forward, eventually you will find success. I believe that the more you put into something, the more you are going to get out of it. Having that attitude and being willing to do the little things will gain you respect. Being a good leader does not involve micromanaging, you have to let people make mistakes and then take credit for the consequenc