Jackie Mendez, AVP/Equity Trader, AllianceBernstein, won Rising Star at Markets Media Group’s 2024 Women in Finance (U.S.) Awards.

What does it mean to you to be recognized as a “Rising Star”? 

I am honored to be recognized by Markets Media WiF for this award, as I think it’s important for women in the industry to be recognized, valued, and motivated to perform at a high level.  

To be considered amongst the many talented women in the industry is humbling and I am thankful for my Manager, Frank Loughlin, who nominated me and my global team of Traders at AllianceBernstein who support and push me to be better every day.

What do you think are the most important qualities for emerging leaders in financial services to cultivate? 

The most important quality I believe an emerging leader should cultivate and practice in the financial industry is Emotional Intelligence. While data and analytics drive financial outcomes, it’s important for a leader to understand both their own, and the emotions of others around them, to drive impact and better client outcomes.  Another quality I would highlight is active listening to help leaders make better informed decisions, foster a culture of open communication, and allow for trust to be built which is critical to our industry.

What advice do you have for others looking to break into the industry, especially those from diverse backgrounds? 

I think it is important to spark an interest early for young women to seek a career in Finance. When you allow students at the high school level to gain exposure to successful career paths of women in the industry and the variety of roles available, you can instill confidence and empowerment in their decisions to pursue relevant degree choices in the business and have positive impact on the trajectory and representation of more women in Finance. I’m so thankful AllianceBernstein provides an opportunity to volunteer my time and act as a female role model for a program like Rock the Street Wall Street.