The financial services sector is undergoing rapid transformation due to the rise of FinTech, reshaping job roles, required skills, and the overall industry structure. Research shows that Black individuals in Alberta and British Columbia’s banking and finance and tech sectors are disproportionately overrepresented in entry-level clerical and administrative roles in banking and finance, many of which are highly susceptible to automation. Conversely, they remain significantly underrepresented in professional, supervisory, managerial, and senior management roles.

FinTech and associated technologies hold the potential to address this underrepresentation. However, realizing this potential requires coordinated efforts from industry-leaders, policymakers, and educational institutions to create pathways for Black professionals in this sector to thrive in the evolving sector.

The FinTech and DEI symposium will create a platform to engage industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and Black professionals in dialogue on building a diverse and future-ready workforce.

The symposium aims to achieve the following outcomes: 

• Raising Awareness: Share BWBN’s WORBE project findings and feature personal stories on the status of Black professionals in banking and finance. 

• Highlighting Opportunities: Introduce new career paths and growth areas in FinTech, focusing on leadership development and upskilling to prepare Black professionals for high-growth roles. 

• Empowering Employers: Offer practical strategies and tools to support Black professionals in developing leadership skills and transitioning into FinTech roles. 
• Building Partnerships: Lay the groundwork for establishing the Black FinTech and Leadership Hub—an online resource center for career transitions, leadership development, mentorship, skilling, and job placement for Black professionals.

Upcoming Symposium

Past Symposium Gallery