In this edition, we are thrilled to introduce the dynamic mother-daughter duo of Cecily Keller and Avery Keller. Their strong family connection is a testament to the power of WIN to connect and support individuals. Continue reading to learn more about their unique experiences and insights.
What inspired you to become a member of WIN, and what has kept you actively involved over the years?
Cecily: I joined WIN nine years ago (2015), soon after I started at Hartford Funds. I was new to the industry and wanted to network with people in financial services, mostly because of my role in talent acquisition. I have remained a member because it helps me find potential candidates for Hartford Funds. I enjoy attending the events and have made friends within the organization.
Avery: I started my membership with WIN in 2021, soon after graduating from Elon University. I was inspired to join WIN for two primary reasons. First, my mom has been a member of WIN for nine years and has had a wonderful experience. Secondly, a few women executives on Lincoln’s investments team recommended that I join WIN for networking opportunities as a young professional. I am truly thankful for the encouragement to join because WIN has been the perfect place to grow early in my career. Since joining, I have grown my professional network immensely by connecting with many inspiring women leaders in the investment industry, who are now turning more into role models and mentors to me. This year, I have taken on more of a leadership role by joining WIN’s membership committee and have loved it so far!
Could you share your journey into the financial services industry and how you’ve navigated your career path up to this point?
- Cecily: I have worked across several industries during my (30-year) career, mostly within the high technology and pharmaceutical sectors. Before Hartford Funds, I worked at a boutique pharmaceutical company, which a much larger organization acquired. As a result of redundancy, I lost my job. Luckily, a few weeks later, I ran into a friend who was a former employee of Hartford Funds – and she mentioned they were looking for someone to lead their talent acquisition function, so I applied! I was not necessarily focused on the financial services industry – but in hindsight, I am certainly thrilled this is where I landed. I love working in asset management and have learned a lot about investing and retirement.
- Avery: I majored in economics and finance, so I was looking for a role that complemented the skills I grew in college. I started my career at Lincoln as an intern on the Client Investment Strategies team within our investments organization, which I completed during my junior year. After the internship ended, I was accepted into the Lincoln Preparation Program (LPP), a 2-year accelerated career development program that prepares graduates to take on important, strategic roles within Lincoln. Fast forward to my role today; I have since graduated from the LPP Program and have been working on the Client Investment Strategies team for over two years. Our team provides timely market content, thought leadership, and best-in-class investment support to our internal and external stakeholders so they can most effectively reach their sales and broader enterprise goals. My role is the perfect blend of investments, sales, and marketing…plus a fun bonus of being able to be creative every day!
Reflecting on your experience, what key skills or attributes have you found universally applicable across industries and roles?
- Cecily: I am self-motivated, coachable, results-oriented, flexible/adaptable to change, and resilient. My English major involves communicating effectively and concisely in writing.
- Avery: The abilities to be a self-starter, reliable, goal-setter, passionate, and have a positive attitude are key and universally applicable across roles. A positive attitude is infectious to others around you and promotes a collaborative team culture.
Could you share a personal or professional accomplishment you’re particularly proud of and how it has shaped your career?
- Cecily: I started at Hartford Funds without experience in the financial services industry and worked extremely hard to learn about it. A few years ago, I was promoted to Vice President and appointed as an Officer of the company. I was enormously proud to receive that recognition, and it felt good to know that I was positively impacting the organization!
- Avery: The professional accomplishment I am particularly proud of is the execution and growth of Market Intel Exchange, Lincoln’s flagship market chartbook full of insights from Lincoln’s investments organization and our network of industry-leading asset manager partners. The chart pack is refreshed monthly with timely content to keep financial professionals and clients updated with the latest market information. Through the extraordinary effort and collaboration across Lincoln’s investments, marketing, and distribution teams, we have grown to amass over 16,000+ subscribers! I am proud to be on a team that strongly advocates financial education and teaches the importance of taking charge of your financial future with confidence.
Could you share a moment when you faced adversity in your career, how you overcame it, and any lessons learned?
- Cecily: I don’t think I have ever faced true adversity per se. I have been extremely fortunate in my positions and the companies I have worked for. My biggest challenges have been learning about different businesses and coming up to speed quickly when starting in a new, complex industry. I always ask many questions, listen, and take advantage of any learning opportunities offered.
- Avery: I don’t believe I have faced strong adversity in my career yet. I am thankful to have worked with outstanding leaders within Lincoln’s investment organization, from my manager to our Senior Vice President and up through Lincoln’s Chief Investment Officer. The leaders on my team are passionate about developing talent and promoting professional development, all while highlighting and celebrating our team’s accomplishments. They cultivate a positive, encouraging, and inspiring team culture that allows me to grow and have the confidence to try new opportunities. I am excited and energized to come to work every day!
Do you have a favorite WIN event? If so, what made it so special/memorable?
- Cecily: My favorite WIN event was at Hartford Funds (2022), which focused on retirement. The event was my favorite for two reasons. It was the first WIN event that my daughter, Avery, came to as a member, and I was so proud of how she networked and interacted with people. I also love the events hosted by Hartford Funds because it is fun to be part of the planning (and we are awesome hosts – but I am extremely biased).
- Avery: My favorite WIN event was “Allyship and Advocacy” at Lincoln last August. It was my first WIN event that I helped run point on and plan with one of my colleagues and fellow WIN members. It was very beneficial to get hands-on leadership experience, learn about the behind-the-scenes work to execute an event, and partner with more senior-level women leaders across different companies.
What emerging topics or industry trends would you like WIN to address in future events, and why are they important to you?
- Cecily: Attracting the next generation of female financial professionals is important. In a male-dominated field, WIN is a welcoming community of amazing women who care and support each other professionally and personally.
- Avery: I would love to hear some perspectives on the widespread institutional adoption of Artificial Intelligence and other disruptive technologies. The Cybersecurity and SEC WIN event was fascinating, and I would love to learn more about the regulatory/legal side of asset management. I enjoy the fact that the WIN events are not only highly informative and educational but also very fun and engaging.