The Association of African American Financial Advisors (Quad-A) will host its 2026 Women’s Impact Initiative Network (WIIN) Conference on June 24-25 at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, bringing together more than 200 women leaders, financial professionals, and corporate executives to confront systemic barriers in wealth and workforce development. The conference, themed “Pathways & Power: Women Reimagining Work, Wealth & Wellness,” arrives as the financial services industry grapples with leadership diversity gaps and talent retention issues.
“We cannot close the wealth gap if the people most impacted by it are absent from the rooms where financial decisions are being made,” said Sheena L. Gray, CEO of Quad-A. “Our mission is to change that. The WIIN Conference is designed to equip women with the relationships, strategies, and opportunities necessary to thrive professionally while helping organizations build stronger, more inclusive leadership pipelines.”
The two-day event will feature nationally recognized speakers including bestselling author Minda Harts, Kelly Keith (Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management), and Nicole James Gilchrist (Vice President at Thrivent). Industry partners include J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Wells Fargo Advisors, RBC Wealth Management, Ameriprise Financial, Edward Jones, Invesco, and Morgan Stanley.
Conference sessions will explore leadership development, wealth-building strategies, workplace culture, career growth, wellness, and the future of women in financial services. As firms across the industry work to attract, develop, and retain top talent, WIIN serves as a national platform for dialogue and actionable solutions supporting long-term workforce development and economic empowerment.
The conference comes at a time when women—particularly women of color—remain underrepresented in senior financial roles and face persistent wealth gaps. According to Quad-A, increasing representation in decision-making roles is critical to closing disparities in financial access and advice. By connecting attendees with executives and thought leaders, the conference aims to foster mentorship and career advancement opportunities that can reshape industry demographics.
Quad-A, a national organization committed to increasing representation, access, and opportunity within financial services, works through advocacy, leadership development, education, and strategic partnerships to strengthen the pipeline of financial professionals. More information about the organization is available at https://www.aaafainc.org.
Media are invited to interview speakers and attendees, speak with Quad-A leadership, and capture video and photography at the event. The conference underscores the urgent need for inclusive talent strategies that address both wealth creation and workforce sustainability, offering a model for how industry gatherings can drive systemic change.
