We are thrilled to announce that Karen Wares has been appointed as the new President & CEO of Women in Financial Markets (WIFM). Karen has been a WIFM Board Member since 2021 and has served as Chair of the WIFM Sponsorship Committee, Chair of the WIFM Gala Committee, and Co-Chair of the WIFM Ally Program. Under her leadership, sponsorship contributions have increased by more than 200% over the past 3 years, and the number of sponsors has grown by 125%—fueling WIFM’s success and enabling the expansion of its programs and events. She also co-created the WIFM Ally Program, a year-long structured experience that has supported 47 professionals in strengthening their roles as allies across the industry. Karen brings more than 25 years of experience and an extraordinary career in financial services, with a proven record of leadership, strategic vision, and industry impact—qualities that uniquely position her to lead WIFM into an exciting new chapter.
A passionate advocate for women in leadership and for fostering greater inclusion across the industry, Karen has been active throughout her career in leading initiatives and mentoring talent to advance future leaders. She currently serves as Managing Director and Strategic Relationship Manager at Bank of America Securities, overseeing several of the firm’s top Global Markets clients. Previously, she spent 21 years in leadership roles at J.P. Morgan, most recently heading its Broker Relationship and Prime Services Management function in the Asset Management division. She also spent 14 years in J.P. Morgan’s Investment Bank, where she helped establish and expand its FX & Derivatives Prime Brokerage and OTC Clearing platforms, and served as Assistant General Counsel for its F&O and OTC Clearing Business.
Cassandra Seier, who has served on the WIFM Board since 2012 and as WIFM President & CEO since 2019, will continue supporting WIFM’s mission as a member of the WIFM Advisory Council—a group of senior industry leaders providing strategic guidance, thought leadership, and access to their extensive professional networks. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Cassandra for her inspiring contributions. During her tenure, she helped develop our social media strategy, job site (WIFM Connect), Wolfpacks, and the first—and now highly acclaimed—annual gala. WIFM’s membership and social media following exploded at an annual double-digit growth. She led the transformation of Women in Derivatives into Women in Financial Markets, broadening the organization’s reach to include all roles across the industry. Under her guidance, WIFM also grew its presence in Europe and expanded into Asia, dramatically increasing programming and opportunities. She has been an enduring source of inspiration to the Board and to countless women in financial services.
“It has been a true honor to serve a mission that is deeply meaningful to me,” shared Cassandra. “WIFM’s dedication to connecting, educating, and supporting women across global financial markets has driven tremendous progress by building powerful networks across organizations, opening doors to new opportunities, and creating a stronger, more inclusive community. As I hand over the role of President & CEO to Karen Wares, I am confident that her vision and leadership will propel WIFM’s mission to new heights.”
Julie Winkler, WIFM Chair, added, “We are excited to partner with Karen to further WIFM’s mission. This leadership transition brings new opportunities, and together we are committed to empowering women across global financial services, driving meaningful change, and fostering a more inclusive future.”
Please join us in congratulating Karen Wares on her new role and welcoming her vision for the future. Under her leadership, we look forward to bold new initiatives, fresh milestones, and an even greater impact on women in global financial markets.