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PANEL: The room you’re not in: Unlocking sponsorship, access and progression in financial services

16 Oct 2026
THEATRE 1
In financial services, the decisions that shape a career, who gets promoted, who gets the stretch assignment, who gets the next opportunity, happen in rooms most of us never enter. While mentors can give you advice, it’s sponsors who can vouch for you in that room, put your name forward, and spend their own credibility to do so. Black professionals tend to have plenty of the first and far less of the second. This session shares guidance on how to build relationships with those who can advocate for you, how to navigate the lack of Black senior managers in the industry, and the value of cross-industry networks like CBERG.
Moderator
Savannah Adams, Co-Chair, CBERG & Senior Manager - S&P Global
Speakers
Rebecca Woodley, EMEA Culture & Engagement Consultant - Jefferies
Teza Chipeta, Director, Infrastructure & Development Finance, Europe - Standard Chartered
Wayne Shand, Relationship Manager, Private Banking - HSBC