GirlForce 100 Attend Buckingham Palace Reception

Members of GirlForce 100 recently travelled to London to attend a reception held at Buckingham Palace in celebration of 100 Women in Finance’s (100WF) Investing in the Next Generation initiatives.

Winners of the 2019 GirlForce 100 Mentee Essay Competition, Asia Bush, former Clifton Hunter student and Kristina Ebanks, John Gray student, travelled to London with their families and GirlForce 100 mentors as honorary guests at the Buckingham Palace celebration, hosted by HRH The Countess of Wessex, Global Ambassador of 100WF's Next Generation Initiatives.

Attended by 350 active members of 100WF from around the world, the reception also included representatives from 100WF’s corporate supporters, global program partner organisations and students who are part of Next Generation programs around the world.

At the reception, HRH The Countess of Wessex delivered welcome remarks and spoke briefly to the students. Amanda Pullinger, 100WF’s CEO, addressed 100WF members, thanking them for their patronage and speaking to 100WF 30x40 Vision.

The mentees attendance at the reception was also part of a wider week of educational visits and sessions that included a visit to the offices of the Cayman Islands Government and private tours of the Houses Westminster, Bloomberg London Headquarters, and the CIBC trading floor.

“The trip to London helped me understand the importance of the finance industry to the global economy. Watching how industrious and courageous the women of 100WF are has inspired me to work harder to achieve my educational goals. This trip to London has expanded my horizons and taught me to dream big. I would not have had this opportunity without GirlForce 100.” said Asia Bush of her experience in London.

Kristina Ebanks said she found her experience in London very educational. “Visiting London was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I discovered so much about the city’s rich history and culture. Since I was a young girl, I dreamt about continuing my education in England and now I am certain this is my path. Before becoming a mentee with GirlForce 100 I would have never had the confidence to make the journey to London. This experience has given me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and the tools I will need to succeed. I am so very grateful to GirlForce 100 for the opportunity.”

Christina Bodden, a founding member of 100WF Cayman Islands and a 100 Women in Finance Global Association Board member, commented, "It was an honor to have the Cayman Islands and GirlForce 100 represented at the Buckingham Palace Reception and within our Investing in the Next Generation initiatives. Our support of these young women, and the other GirlForce 100 mentees, furthers our work in developing future female leaders."

“For the past four years, we’ve delivered pre-career programming and mentorship to diverse, high potential Caymanian high school students. It’s gratifying to see that 100WF’s work – in the Cayman Islands and globally – makes such a difference in elevating young women’s professional ambitions and pointing them toward careers in the finance industry.”

GirlForce 100 is part of 100WF’s Investing in the Next Generation Initiative which reaches, inspires and supports pre-career women of all backgrounds, to become the finance industry’s leadership pipeline. This initiative is an important strategic element in the organisation’s 30x40 Vision, in which women will perform 30% of the finance industry’s investment and executive team roles by year 2040.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming part of GirlForce 100 please contact GirlForce@100women.org.