International Women's Day (IWD) 2023

This International Women’s Day, we honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our lives, our communities and our society.

Nomura has a diverse workforce of 90 nationalities spanning more than 30 countries and regions. Our people are the source of our competitive strengths and innovation, and we are committed to creating an environment and corporate culture where women are empowered to achieve their maximum potential.

Inspired by the global theme of Embrace Equity, our colleagues around the world have organized a wide range of activities to mark International Women’s Day this year. Here are a few of them.

Global

The “Nomura Gender Equity Champion Awards”, a global initiative to celebrate employees who champion gender equity across our organization, was launched this year. We recognized 19 male and female colleagues as gender equity champions for their dedication to fostering an equitable environment and culture throughout our firm and for collaborating with external organizations to bring positive impact to their communities. Their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion have inspired many colleagues globally to do our part to influence positive change.

Japan

Panel -Cradle President Sputniko! on the importance of women's health and DEI

We invited Sputniko!, President and CEO of Cradle Inc., to talk about how she realized the importance of women's health as an artist, why it's important to know about women's health issues and the connection to DEI, and what fairness means for both women and men. In the second half, CHO Toshiyasu Iiyama, Executive Officer of Nomura Holdings, will sit down for a talk with Sputniko!.

International Women’s Day
Key note speaker: Haruka Mera

Ms. Mera is the founder and CEO of READYFOR, Japan's first crowdfunding service. She is a member of the Global Shapers from the World Economic Forum and is the youngest representative from Japan to attend the Davos Conference. She is currently a member of Japan's 'New Capitalism' council, a Japanese cabinet taskforce considering new policies for wealth distribution and economic growth. Ms. Mera will also sit down with WIN Executive Sponsor Riyo Azechi (SMD, Nomura Asset Management) to discuss what drives her, parenting, how she switches between work mode and private mode, as well as this year's IWD theme #EmbraceEquity.

Nomura in partnership with S.C.P. Japan supporting women athletes

Nomura and S.C.P. Japan organization started a collaborative program aimed at improving the financial literacy and empowerment of young female athletes. Seminars were held for Women's Soccer Club members of the universities in Tokyo.

Enterprise IT women: Interview with Mieko Horiuchi

Mieko Horiuchi from our Wholesale IT Department was introduced in the series "Enterprise IT Women" interviewing female employees inIT by "EnterpriseZine", a specialized media for IT leaders.

Role model interview series: interview with Nao Kasai

Nao Kasai from our Legal Department was interviewed by Mercer Japan during a role model panel discussion featuring successful women with diverse background and realizing their career.

Asia ex-Japan

Fireside Chat with Emily Woodland

Themed around gender equity, this inspiring regional keynote speaker session is presented by Emily Woodland speaking about her personal story. Emily is a finance industry veteran, cancer survivor, and ultra-trail runner.Throughout her career, she has been a trader and PM. Emily is currently APAC Head of Sustainable & Transition Solutions at Blackrock.

Talk: A Women’s Health Specialist on Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence affects twice as many women as men. In this session, a women’s health specialist has been invited to share about what urinary incontinence is, the common cause and how it can be treated.

Talk: Mental Wellness for a Multi-Faceted Woman

Women juggle many different roles, and their accompanying expectations (from daughter, to mother, to employee, and more). This session guides employees to better care for their mental wellness in these various roles, including pre- and post-natal mental wellness, and during menopause.

Singapore Speaker Session:
Self-Promotion & Allyship

Led by Toni Carroll (APAC Head of Colleague Experience, AON), this workshop is open to both women and male allies. The session will cover ‘Imposter Syndrome’ and the need to ward it off through confidence in oneself, and the importance of allyship in the gender equity journey.

Ceejay House Movie Screening:
Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway

The Women in Nomura Network in Ceejay House is hosting a matinee movie screening of Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway, a film based on the true story of an Indian couple whose children were taken away from them by Norwegian welfare services in 2011.

International Wealth Management - Women in Wealth:
Fireside Chat with Women in Wealth

This interactive International Women’s Day panel is organized by Women in Wealth, featuring four senior women in wealth about their tips, tricks, and experiences in getting them into leadership positions today.

IT Early Careers Program - Workshop:
Finding Your Voice with Louise Tagliante

Led by Louise Tagliante of Protégé, this workshop is for female analysts in IT across the region, as part of the division’s broader gender equity journey. The session explores various types of communication styles, and focuses on the differences between aggressive and assertive communication.

UK

International Women’s Day
Keynote speaker: June Sarpong

June is a television presenter, broadcaster and author of three award-winning books. More recently, June has launched a new publishing imprint, ‘The HQ Creative Inclusion Lab’ with Harper Collins, giving a voice to those from underrepresented communities, underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and people from working-class backgrounds.
She is also the Director of Creative Diversity at the BBC. June is a highly sought after speaker and we are confident this event will live up to expectations

IWD panel with senior leaders

Panel session discussing key topics, from Nomura’s Gender Pay Gap results to the importance of equity with senior leaders from across the organisation:

  • Jonathan Lewis (Head of EMEA, NEHS CEO & Group CTO)
  • John Goff (Head of GM EMEA and Executive Sponsor of the Gender Balance Network)
  • Romy Murray (Non-Executive Director, NEHS and NIP)
  • Rachael Grieve (Learning and Development Lead, Technology)
  • Simon Fillery (Interim Head of DE&I, EMEA)

Our panel event was followed by an in person “speed networking” event with senior leaders from across the firm giving you the opportunity to discuss diversity related topics in a more informal setting.

DEI team hosted Courageous Conversation around allyship

featuring analysis of case studies focused on Gender Balance & Representation, in conjunction with the toolkit of the same name:

US

International Women’s Day Kickoff: Fireside Chat with Georgie Dickins

Fireside chat with coach, speaker and author, Georgie Dickins, to share tools for success with themes from her newly released book, “Women in Leadership, 500+ lessons to our younger selves.” She is joined with our very own Angie Karna, Head of Global Markets Legal for the Americas, who is featured in the book and will also be sharing her personal leadership story throughout the discussion. Moderating will be Sue Lee, Regional Chief Transformation Officer.

WIN DEMYSTIFY EVENT: Exploring Front Office Functions

A panel discussion with senior members of our Front Office to learn more about what Front Office roles entail, the challenges facing new entrants, the opportunities and the need for greater female participation featuring Dana Schultz, Managing Director Structured Product Sales, Lisa Stein, Managing Director Head of Consumer & Retail Investment Banking, Mary Kallmann, Executive Director Client Strategist, and Chirag Garg, Executive Director FX Trading. Moderated by Alisa Rodway, Executive Director Head of DEI Americas.

Keynote Speaker Susie Moore

Author and a life coach, Susie Moore wants you to want more! As a former Silicon Valley Sales Director, she brings forth her knowledge on the topic of self-advocacy for all women in the workplace. She will share her insights on how to measure and monetize your strengths and move forward with your goals without getting in your own way. Get ready to be inspired!

Powai

Embrace Self as we are

The Magic of Embracing Self
Journey to equity and thus equality begins with self. In that stride, this session aims to provide you with perspectives and tools to accept yourself fully; treat yourself with kindness and respect; and nurture your growth and well-being.

Zumba Flash Mob
Zumba flash mob provides an opportunity for us to come together, motivate self and others to embrace a physical activity for satire and artistic expressions.

Embrace Others as they are

a. Inspiring Speaker Series
Here is an opportunity to hear an inspiring life story of Captain Zoya Agarwal, the youngest women pilot from India to fly a Boeing -777 and the first woman commander to fly over North Pole on one of the world’s longest air routes; with all female flight crew. Captain Zoya is an Indian Spokesperson for gender equality with UN women. She becomes the first person human being to get a place at SFO aviation Museum. To hear and meet Captain Zoya Agarwal.

b. #EmbraceEquity, Foster Inclusion
This panel discussion will bring to you Nomura’s thought leadership on the role of equity in fostering inclusion and a sense of belongingness at workplace.

Embrace Equitable Opportunities

Launching Women Mentorship Program. Select women employees will be provided with an opportunity to be mentored by senior leaders in the organization. Through this program we envisage to support our women employees in their mid-career so that they soar high.

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