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By Sarah Loriot
Special to Financial Independence Hub
Representation in our industry matters: a lot. For too long, finance has been associated with a narrow archetype of who belongs.
But in reality, some of the most successful minds in our industry come from different backgrounds and took unconventional paths, bringing unique perspectives that drive innovation. By showcasing these individuals, my goal is to challenge outdated stereotypes and make it clear: finance is for anyone. Seeing real people succeed by being unapologetically themselves can inspire others to recognize their own potential in this space.
Diverse Dividends is a new video series by CFA Society Toronto, the largest association of its kind serving the investment and finance industry in Toronto. At the heart of what we do is helping our members advance in their careers, build connections, and share knowledge and insights through educational programming that fosters growth and empowers the next generation of leaders in finance and investing.
This series is an example of that mission in action and, as host of this series, I have the privilege of amplifying the voices of leaders who aren’t just part of the financial landscape: they’re reshaping it. Many of my guests didn’t study finance, yet they’ve become some of the most influential figures in the industry. Their diverse backgrounds influence how they lead, how they assess risk, and how they solve problems. They don’t fit into a single mold, and that’s precisely why they excel.
When I talk about diversity, I don’t just mean gender or optics: it’s about how people think, lead, and approach challenges. Life experiences shape leadership, and the paths that bring people into finance are as important as the technical skills they acquire along the way. In fact, I often ask my guests about their hobbies because what we do outside of work shapes how we innovate inside of it.
Analytical skills are important in finance, but creativity and emotional intelligence are equally essential. Some of the most innovative financial professionals aren’t the ones following formulas: they’re the ones questioning them.
Diversification the universally accepted principle in Finance
In finance, diversification is a universally accepted principle: no one questions that spreading risk across different assets leads to more resilient portfolios. The same logic applies to leadership and building teams. A team that brings diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking is better equipped to navigate challenges, adapt to change, and drive innovation. That’s why Diverse Dividends embraces a “go-anywhere” format; because understanding who someone is, rather than just what they do, reveals the true value they bring to the industry.
It’s also important to expand on the different roles within finance. Too often, the industry is understood to be traditional roles like investment banking, when in reality, finance offers space for creativity as much as it does for analysis. Finance exists at the intersection of many disciplines: technology, psychology, public policy, and even art. Through the Diverse Dividends series, we highlight the vast array of roles, sectors, and businesses areas where people can make an impact.
But the impact of representation doesn’t stop with the leaders themselves. When we elevate diverse voices, we send a message to the next generation of financial professionals. Seeing someone who looks like you, thinks like you, or comes from a similar background succeed can ignite a spark of possibility. It changes how organizations hire, how teams collaborate, and how the industry evolves. When diversity is championed at the top, it filters through every level of an organization.
Through Diverse Dividends, our goal is simple: to increase representation, spark change, and inspire the next generation of finance leaders. Because when we open doors for others and support their journeys to success, the entire industry benefits – and that’s the kind of ripple effect we want to create.
Sara Loriot is Vice-President, Institutional Portfolio Manager and a member of CI GAM’s investment management team. Her primary responsibilities are to maintain a deep knowledge of portfolio philosophy, process, and construction for CI GAM’s strategies and to champion CI GAM’s investment solutions internally and externally. Sara acts as an interface between CI’s distribution channels and its portfolio management and research teams to enhance the visibility of CI GAM’s strategies. Sara brings over 10 years of industry experience having worked in the financial services industry for over 14 years. She has experience working with retail, institutional and advisory clientèle and has been involved with product development and sales strategy, having worked at another leading global asset manager. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Concordia University in Montreal and is a CFA charterholder. Additionally, she holds the CFA ESG certificate and is a certified anti-money laundering specialist. Sara is the recipient of VersaFi’s Rising Star award (2023) and of CFA Institute’s Emerging CFA Society Leader Award (2024). Sara is a native of Montreal, Québec and is bilingual in French and English.
