NEW YORK, NY, August 8, 2023 – The Gateway Foundation by Money Management Institute announced recipients of the Opening Doors Awards yesterday during the Opening Doors Golf Classic event in Paramus, NJ.
Designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding efforts in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, there were awards in three distinct categories:
- Opening Doors Champion Award: Marsha Guerrier, HerSuiteSpot
- Opening Doors Breaking Barriers Award: Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
- Opening Doors at the Front Award: NASP NY Fast Track Program
The awards showcase the individual (Champion), firm (Breaking Barriers), and program (At the Front) as making meaningful strides in creating spaces for talent, demonstrating courage by identifying practices that may be detrimental to the industry, and innovative in finding unexplored strategies for change.
“We take great pride in acknowledging the recipients of the Opening Doors Award, who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion and have taken significant steps to advance these crucial initiatives,” said Craig Pfeiffer, MMI President & CEO. “Through their unwavering commitment, the Awardees have positively impacted those at the individual and firm level, to champion the cause of underrepresented and overlooked professionals.”
Senior industry leaders submitted written nominations on behalf of their peers and colleagues for the awards. The judging panel consisted of members from the MMI Board of Governors, the Gateway Foundation Board of Trustees, and the MMI Social Justice Advisory Council.
“Meaningful change in our industry and underserved communities can only be achieved through the collective efforts of all,” said Marc Brookman, Chair of the Gateway Foundation and CEO of Spouting Rock Asset Management. “While there is still more work to be done, we are thrilled to take the time to honor those who inspire, pave the path, and leave a lasting impact.”
The awards were presented as part of the annual Opening Doors Golf Classic event hosted by the Gateway Foundation, celebrating a path forward for diversity, equity, and inclusion. The dinner program closed out a day of golfing and included guest speakers Callen Williams from First Tee Metropolitan New York and Jimmy Roberts from NBC and the Golf Channel. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the Gateway Foundation’s strategic initiatives: 1. Financial literacy; 2. Industry Awareness and Preparation; and 3. Performance and Professional Development.
“The Gateway Foundation is really looking to build momentum around diversity, equity and inclusion by working alongside partner organizations to scale and expand their scope,” said Sarit Abramowicz, First Vice President, Program Director, Gateway Foundation. “The Opening Doors Awards further these efforts by providing visibility to successful DE&I initiatives and inspiring others in the industry to mobilize their efforts.”
About the Money Management Institute (MMI): Established in 1997, the Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association representing financial services firms that provide financial advice and investment advisory solutions to investors. Through conferences, educational resources, and thought leadership, MMI facilitates peer-to-peer connections, fosters industry knowledge and professionalism, and supports the development of the next generation of industry leadership. MMI member firms are dedicated to helping individual and institutional investors, at every level of assets, plan for and fulfill their financial goals. For more information, visit www.MMInst.org.
About the Gateway Foundation:
The Gateway Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization administered by Money Management Institute building meaningful change in the financial services industry by advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. By tapping into MMI's vast network of industry member firms, we can initiate sweeping changes that enable us to make this goal a reality by opening doors to historically marginalized communities through preparation, education, and skill development. Follow Gateway on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Kelly Caporale, Money Management Institute, kcaporale@mminst.org, (646) 868-8514
