Leslie Hillsamer, Director, Repo Sales, Scotiabank, won Excellence in Repo at Markets Media Group’s 2024 Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.

What was your reaction to winning the award?

This recognition has pushed me to reflect on everything I’ve accomplished so far in my career. We are all guilty of rushing from one goal to the next without appreciating our failures and successes. As the first U.S. repo salesperson ever at Scotiabank, I have cultivated impactful client relationships and created a new sales growth strategy that allowed our firm to rapidly scale the global business.

I was especially touched to have my Scotiabank family at the Women in Finance Awards with me. Excellence in Repo is a recognition of all our efforts – well done, team! I also really appreciate the congratulations from clients and peers. Above all, it was an honor to be in a room of successful, driven women.

Tell us about a passion you have outside the business.

I have a passion for literally anything competitive – sports, board games, music (I am a classically trained cellist). I especially love racquet sports. I grew up playing tennis with my siblings, then squash in college and, more recently, pickleball. I have been able to bridge this passion with the repo market by hosting an annual Scotiabank Client Hedge Fund Ping Pong Tournament. I have always found that competitions bring people together and are a great source of laughter – whether it’s the joys of friendly trash talk or an underdog victory. I love a bracket filled with teammates and friends.

What’s something you’re really proud of and why?

I’m enthusiastic about my consistent commitment to DEI initiatives and community work. I am one of the original members of the Women in Securities Finance Network, which is now a global organization, and currently serve on several bank committees such as Scotiabank Women’s Advocacy Group Steering Committee & Mentorship Committee and Scotiabank Women Initiative U.S. Committee & Emerging Leaders Committee. At Guggenheim Securities, I served on the Women’s Innovation and Inclusion Network (Events Committee & Women’s Amplified Leadership Program), New York Local Social Responsibility Council (Chair of Financial Literacy & Youth Development) and I was an Advisor to Employee Engagement and Community Office. I also served as Junior Board Vice Chair, Special Projects Chair and still serve as a Volunteer Teacher for Cents Ability, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering high school students with financial literacy.

This year, I am most proud of an 80-person mentorship pod program I am running at Scotiabank that fosters the advancement of women in the workplace. I originated the program three years ago, and for the first time in my career, we received more voluntary mentors than needed! The program’s success is a great indicator of strong mentorship culture.

What progress still needs to be made, in terms of financial firms adopting advocacy of Women in Finance?

The three main drivers of advocacy for women in finance are coaching, mentorship, and sponsorship. We should focus more on the differences between these factors and how they are vital, complementary tools to the success of any employee. A coach provides guidance, a mentor shares from experience and a sponsor advocates. While a woman is in the driver’s seat with a coach and mentor, a sponsor plays an essential role in elevating a woman’s career visibility and puts their name up for valuable experiences or advancements. Most firms provide formal mentor programs at the analyst level, and I hope these programs begin to evolve to focus on sponsorship and programming at more senior levels.

I also hope we end the stereotypical scope of which roles in finance women are considered best suited for. When I first started on Wall Street, I was asked point blank if I could handle the transition from an all-women’s college to an aggressive, male-dominated, trading floor. While they were right about the gender imbalance – so far so good – I thrived in a fast-paced environment, and I later happily stepped into mentor and sponsor roles.