Women Who Win: Leslie Archard
June 5, 2018
The D10's Women Who Win series, brought you in collaboration with ADAY, spotlights some of the incredible female athletes who take to The D10's playing field each year. Meet Leslie Archard of Janney Montgomery Scott.
What brought you to The D10?
My 2017 New Year’s resolution was to find a charity organization where I could volunteer my time and resources. Finding an organization you feel passionately about is vital, considering time is precious and low priorities tend to fall through the cracks quickly - especially for a young professional working hard trying to make it in New York City. Joining The D10, I found an organization that fit like a glove. The community it fosters is a very special thing, creating so many dedicated and eager voices campaigning to support researchers in finding a cure for pediatric cancer.
What sort of impact has athleticism had for you professionally?
Remaining relatively sane in regards to your health while working in finance is difficult. The accountability and enjoyment that working out with your peers brings, I’ve found to be indescribably beneficial both personally and professionally. Being among productive, energetic and philanthropic individuals keeps me happy and focused on what’s important in life. Financial services tends to be a boy’s club, so having an enthusiasm for athleticism creates a deep common ground that is sometimes otherwise difficult to establish. Crushing a tough workout with a customer or colleague, it builds a unique level of respect. Instead of being “different,” or small, or looking a certain way…you’re tough, you’re formidable. You belong. The conversation changes. Dedicating so much time to an organization like The D10 and showing physical strength translates well to strong work ethic and being seen as a generally capable person. At one point, a new sales recruit was asking to pull certain accounts that I cover away from me, and I remember my trader saying, “Yeah…right. She’ll drag him by the ear down to Tone House. He’ll have to battle her for it. Good luck.” That felt good.
How has The D10 network impacted your life?
I’ve gained incredible life-long friends through this community. It’s remarkable. Being somebody who sincerely enjoys and values meeting new people and expanding her network, this new family I’ve gained is life-changing and something I’ve very grateful for. Every single important move I’ve made in my life that got me to where I am now came from a chance encounter through a network…maybe a 5 minute conversation I didn’t see coming that presented an opportunity that I seized and ran with. I even met my incredible life partner, Ian Hildebrand, at a track workout last year…certainly didn’t see that one coming! Thankfully I’ve experienced so many of these moments. Keep meeting new people and having those conversations, and you’ll create your own luck. It’s said that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If that is true, this community of people will continue to make me stronger, smarter and more successful every day. When you surround yourself with great people, some days they’ll pull you up and other days you’ll hoist them up with you…maybe they’ll even catch you when you fall. And after all those sled pushes at Tone House, that little boost goes a long way.
Help Leslie and her team smash their fundraising goal of $8,000 by donating here.