Throughout March, Dress for Success Luzerne County is teaming up with DiscoverNEPA to share their Women In Power campaign, which coincides with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Both of which are an opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Each week we’ll highlight a woman in our community and share how they have found their own power.
Women In Power Series Highlights Mandie Hendricks
Mandie Hendricks is a Financial Advisor and Vice President at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. She joined Janney in 2021, after serving at Merrill Lynch for 10 years. In her role, she works with her clients to help them pursue a secure financial future and gain financial independence by motivating them to save and invest for the future.
What does “Woman In Power” mean to you?
A woman in power is someone who confidently goes after what they want and doesn’t let fear hold them back. They encourage and support other women. A woman in power sets boundaries and doesn’t apologize for having them.
What would you tell a woman who is feeling powerless/experiencing powerlessness as a result of inequity?
I would tell them to recognize their feelings of inequity as valid but not let it deter them from going after what they want. Do not blame yourself. We all deserve to live in a world where we are treated equally. Find someone who you trust to share your feelings with and come up with a way to take back your power. Stay true to your values and remain focused on your goals.
Who were your female mentors in your career, and how would you suggest growing leaders identify possible mentors for their growth?
There are many female financial advisors who came before me and paved the way for the industry to be a more inclusive, diverse profession. I look up to women who took risks and never backed down in the face of adversity. My two immediate mentors are both male and have always treated me as an equal and motivated me to achieve my career aspirations. They are always willing to answer any questions I have and give me advice without dictating how I do things. I would recommend looking for a mentor who you can see as your ally, who pushes you to perform at your best level and always listens to your ideas.
What barriers have you faced in your career and how did you overcome them?
Being in a male dominated industry it is very easy to feel powerless at times. I struggled with finding the confidence I needed to move up and second guessed myself along the way. I made a commitment to myself to work on improving my confidence. By setting goals to put myself out there and take risks I grew into the confident leader I always wanted to be. I have been able to find my niche and learned how to use my strengths to my advantage. I love building relationships and educating others about finances which has helped me achieve success.
What message do you want to send out to young women thinking about their careers?
I would encourage young women starting out to go after what they want and don’t hold back. Putting yourself out there and taking risks will help you grow as a person and also professionally. Try to stand out and don’t let others with negative opinions about your company or industry drag you down. Try to network as much as possible and build connections along the way. If you do find senior members of your team who are willing to help and mentor you, learn as much as possible as you can from them but don’t be afraid to share new ideas. Take credit for your contributions and keep a list of your accomplishments. Never stop growing and learning. Don’t feel like you have to sacrifice your career to start a family, you can successfully do both. Find a partner who supports your career and life goals and celebrates your successes.
About Dress for Success
Dress for Success ® is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to nearly 150 cities in 30 countries. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 2,000,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.
Since Dress for Success Luzerne County became operational in December of 2010, the program has reached 2,500 economically challenged women from the area by providing clothing, job interview support and workforce guidance. Dress for Success Luzerne County continues to create programs to enhance economic and social development, encouraging self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention.
To learn more about Dress for Success Luzerne County and the Women in Power campaign, please visit their website or on Facebook.
