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» VISIT US ONLINE @ DSNEWS.COM 13 Sponsored Content DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND INNOVATION ON DISPLAY In an ever-changing business landscape, the financial services industry has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, but one organization is quickly rising to the position of solutions provider, starting with urging the industry to add diversity and inclusion (D&I) at its foundation. e Council for Inclusion in Financial Services (CIFS) makes the case for D&I year round, and recently hosted its third annual National Financial Services Expo (2019 FinServ Expo) June 3-5 in Irving, Texas, designed to help the industry innovate. Over the course of three days, industry leaders, executives, partners, and sponsors discussed industry trends such as data management and technology, diversity and inclusion programs, and economic and regulatory issues that are impacting businesses in the financial services industry both locally and globally. e 2019 FinServ Expo was created to help the financial services industry attract and sustain an inclusive workforce, increase access to small businesses, promote transformative technology initiatives, and educate the public about financial processes, products, and services. e expo theme this year was "e Path to the Future = AAI (Access. Automation. Inclusion.)." "We saw the need for an event that brings together the different segments of our industry and offers a 360-degree solution to internal and external facing challenges, while equipping all of us to lead and thrive as businesses in the most diverse environment our country has ever seen," said Cheryl Travis-Johnson, FinServ Founder and Board Co-Chair of CIFS. e 2019 FinServ Expo, with the format of mainstage keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and entertainment, opened with training and certification for industry vendors and small business owners. In addition, attendees were welcomed with a networking event with music provided by Nyssa Garcia. Tuesday was a day of main-stage sessions and panel discussions, including segments focused on "A Business Case for Inclusion," "Technology Enabling Disruption," and ending with the "Industry Advocacy Roundtable." Wednesday's sessions included "Wealth Management Transformed," as well as "A Guide to NextGen Marketing," "What You Need to Know About Privacy and Cyber Security," and a session linking D&I to staying ahead of the curve, called "What's Innovation Got to Do … Got to Do With it!?" Travis-Johnson said that innovating the industry will require a multi-layered approach, starting with sharing tools that deepen understanding of diversity and inclusion, data proving the business case for D&I, shaping strong leaders as advocates, and revealing the newest tech and operations trends so that companies are well equipped, top to bottom, to compete in an increasingly diverse landscape. e event hosted three keynote speakers: Molly Bloom, entrepreneur and best-selling author of Molly's Game; Dale Hansen, Weeknight Sports Anchor at WFAA Dallas; and Frank Mesina, Partner at New York Life Insurance. Panelists represented a cross-section of disciplines spanning banking, the mortgage industry, technology firms, government and strategic marketing, and communications. Included among the experts were notables that also stepped in as events sponsors, including Auction.com, U.S. Bank, Betters Law Firm, and the VRM Real Estate Alliance. Organizers shared that their numerous event sponsors weren't just in it for visibility, but to demonstrate support for innovation and initiatives promoting inclusive practices, much like they do in their own businesses. With a robust lineup of speakers, nationally noted entertainment from e Tje Austin Band (featured on e Voice), and "lightbulb" moments for attendees, the FinServ Expo seems poised to continue to uphold its mission for years to come. e 2020 FinServ Expo will be held in June of next year in the Dallas Metroplex area. When asked to sum up what keeps her and her team going while shouldering such a complex mission, Cheryl Travis-Johnson said, "We remember our commitment to create a path forward and bridge the gap between words and actions." "We saw the need for an event that brings together the different segments of our industry and offers a 360-degree solution to internal and external facing challenges, while equipping all of us to lead and thrive as businesses in the most diverse environment our country has ever seen." —Cheryl Travis-Johnson, Founder, National Financial Services Expo