2019 Ken Heath Award - Letter of Recommendation - Sample

Sep 15, 2026

Sample recommendation letter for Candidate #XYZ for the 2019 Ken Heath Award, written from the perspective of a global head at a firm. The letter highlights leadership in broker-dealer order execution, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a track record of mentoring women through recruitment, retention, development, and stretch assignments. It emphasizes creating fair hiring environments, increasing women in the pipeline and leadership roles, and active community involvement, supported by outdoor achievements and professional credibility.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

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2019 Ken Heath Award - Letter of Recommendation - Sample

Candidate Leadership and Impact

Diversity, Mentorship, and Fair Hiring

Community Service and Personal Interests

2019 Ken Heath Award Letter of Recommendation – SAMPLE The following sample letter of recommendation is for illustrative purposes only. As the global head of Firm X’s broker-dealer business, Candidate \#XYZ oversees all aspects of the firm’s order execution and management solutions. A prominent leader at Firm X, he is known throughout our organization for his ability to handle tough challenges and evoke change when necessary. Colleagues marvel at his energy and honesty, and of course, his passion for his work, the people and this industry. Candidate \#XYZ brings that same sense of passion and commitment to diversity and inclusion, driving the recruitment, retention and development of women and diverse professionals throughout his business. As women working in a male-dominated industry, we have seen him remove barriers to entry and present opportunities women may not have considered for themselves. He has challenged us and our colleagues, regardless of job rank, with stretch assignments that have revealed our true capabilities and strengths. He has personally mentored several women across the firm, helping them think about ways to build their brands, and challenging them to look at problems and solutions in new ways. He creates an environment of fairness by encouraging his team to widen the pool of individuals considered for all open roles through diverse slates. In his own words, "Move out of your comfort zone. Provoke discussions and debates. Challenge yourself – and others – every day.” That’s what he always says! He instills this in his managers and other leaders throughout his business. By setting the tone atthe top, he has successfully increased the number of women in the pipeline, along with the number of women holding leadership roles within his department. Today, more than half of his direct reports are women. He is publicly active in his support for diversity and inclusion. This can be seen through the numerous panels he moderates on women’s initiatives or by attending diversity networking events. Beyond work, he is devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. Family comes first. His children credit their father with shaping them into the strong and confident individuals they are today. He is equally devoted to making a difference in his community, serving in various capacities as a board member and council to X Charitable Organization, Y Church and Z University. Through his efforts, he has helped raise more than $xx,000 for deserving young professionals at Z University. Candidate \#XYZ is also a really cool guy. He loves staying active through outdoor activities such as downhill skiing in the winter and cycling in the summer. He has competed in several downhill ski competitions – and he has the medals to prove it! We know that the STA Women in Finance will receive many similar letters for males from the Chicago Area who are advocating for women and doing what is both right and good for this business. We are confident, however, that you won’t come across anyone like Candidate \#XYZ. His drive and passion is known and infectious.

FAQs

Who is the recommender and what role do they mention?

The recommender is the global head of a firm’s broker-dealer business. They describe Candidate #XYZ as overseeing order execution and management solutions.

What achievements related to diversity and inclusion does the letter emphasize?

It highlights recruitment, retention, and development of women and diverse professionals, removing barriers, mentoring, and using diverse slates to widen the hiring pool. It also notes growth in women in the pipeline and leadership roles.

What non-work activities and community involvement are mentioned?

The letter mentions dedication to family and service in community roles, including board and council participation. It also references staying active through activities such as downhill skiing and cycling.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Mercer