How do you navigate your leadership journey while staying true to yourself? And what happens when you decide to stop waiting for permission and take control of your path?
In this Leadership with Heart podcast episode, Heather sits down with Erika Whyte, Vice President and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. Erika’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unapologetic self-leadership. From her early days in financial services—when professional norms were drastically different—to her current role in shaping a more inclusive and empowering workplace, Erika embodies the power of stepping forward with purpose.
She shares how her upbringing, shaped by her mother’s fearless journey from Central America, instilled a go-for-it mindset. We discussed a pivotal moment in her career when she was told to dumb down her language and how she found the courage to reclaim her voice. Erika also talks about the importance of mentorship, advocacy, and showing up for others, and how she ensures young professionals don’t have to navigate the same barriers she faced.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about waiting—it’s about taking action, owning your power, and bringing others along for the journey. Erika’s insights on seeing people—genuinely seeing them—offer a fresh perspective on how to lead with heart, even in a world that often feels divided.
Listen in, and ask yourself: How can I show up today in a way that honors my voice, values, and ability to lead with heart?
About Erika Whyte
Erika Whyte serves as a thought leader and architect of Janney’s enterprise Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, including short-, medium- and long-term
objectives and key outcomes. She is responsible for developing programs in
support of the firm’s strategic direction to attract, retain, and develop a diverse
workforce, as well as engage and address the needs of diverse investors and clients.
Erika works closely with Janney’s senior executives to help them build and enhance
their DEI strategies to meet their business objectives. She is also the advisor to
Janney’s Employee Resource Groups.
Erika has more than 30 years of professional experience in relationship
management, strategic planning, as well as change and performance management
with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has held various DEI executive
leadership positions, including most recently as Assistant Vice President, of Enterprise
Diversity, and Inclusion at Lincoln Financial Group.
She sits on the board of the Montgomery County Mainline Chamber of Commerce,
is the Co-Chair of the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory board for the
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and is a member of
Chief, an organization designed and dedicated for women in the C-Suite, senior
executives, and accomplished VPs to strengthen their leadership, magnify their
influence, and pave the way to bring others with them.
Amongst her most recent accolades are being named a 2023 Diversity in Business
Award winner by the Philadelphia Business Journal and being recognized by City &
State Pennsylvania as one of the commonwealth’s most influential difference
makers. Erika is often sought after to deliver keynote addresses and serve as a
subject matter expert panelist and moderator for various symposiums, workshops,
and seminars. She especially enjoys speaking to young people where she shares her
three B’s to success – Be Bold, Be Brave and Bet on You!
Erika has also held roles at JPMorgan Chase & Co., BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, and
PNC Global Investments. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University
and master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology.
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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP
Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.
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