Stout Women’s Alliance
The SWA is focused on:
Career Development
The Career Development Committee helps colleagues achieve professional success by empowering them with knowledge, resources, tools, skills, and experiences needed to grow and advance.
Networking
The Networking Committee fosters internal relationships and connections that can provide mutual support and encouragement to facilitate professional development by providing informative and lively events to share ideas, successes, and challenges.
Community & Branding
The Community and Branding Committee creates a supportive and collaborative environment to get involved in local not-for-profit organizations that benefit women and girls. Our focus is to bring leadership, engagement, and motivation while celebrating diversity and encouraging advancement and development in the community. The group also serve as ambassadors of SWA and its initiatives. Our purpose is to drive engagement, build affinity among members, and grow SWA's value and impact. We amplify and celebrate the efforts of SWA and the women of Stout.
Client Engagement
The Client Engagement Committee is committed to strengthening client engagement by providing a platform for external networking and professional growth. Through the creation of diverse and inclusive networking events, we aim to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experiences, and opportunities. Together, we are building a network of strong, influential women who can make a difference in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities.
Meet the Women of Stout
Heather Albright
MANAGING DIRECTOR
“SWA has provided me with new opportunities to mentor and be mentored through connecting women across the organization to provide support and career guidance. I feel empowered when I am in a group of women that face similar obstacles and share common goals. It gives us all an opportunity to be more open and honest with how we are balancing our professional and personal lives and how we approach the unique challenges facing women. I feel fortunate to work for a company that supports and promotes a diverse and inclusive culture.”
Sook Lee
MANAGING DIRECTOR
“I have been fortunate to have great mentors and sponsors throughout my career, but they all have been white males. I have not seen many women in leadership consulting positions, and it is even more rare to see women of color in those roles. I recognize and value the importance of mentoring – it can elevate and advance more women at their work, help them identify and gain access to opportunities they might otherwise miss, and better prepare them for such opportunities when they come. I am excited to get more involved with Stout Women's Alliance. I would like to be a supportive listener who can provide practical suggestions and share my own experiences in consulting to navigate both personal and professional worlds successfully.”
Marylee Robinson
MANAGING DIRECTOR
“Balancing a demanding career and a family in a field dominated by men is no easy task. Being a part of Stout Women's Alliance earlier in my career gave me the opportunity to learn from women in leadership. This has been critical to my own success as I progressed in my career. SWA made it possible for me to develop strong relationships with professionals across the firm. It’s been rewarding to see these women thrive in their careers as well. As a more senior professional, I hope to be one of the people who can provide an example and lift even more women up at Stout.”
Meet More of the Women at Stout
Facts and Figures
An important part of building a workforce that reflects the clients and communities we serve is being more transparent about our progress. The below data point shows how we are progressing against diversity goals. While it is clear there is much more to do, this increased transparency will build greater trust and accountability, and ensure our diversity journey continues to proceed with purpose and speed.
Firmwide Demographics
Note: Metrics as of 12/31/2022. Gender diversity increased 17% YOY (from 30% in 2021).
Women in Business Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to students who support the community of women in business and demonstrate a commitment to promoting diversity and contributing to the firm's diversity initiatives as a result of background, experience, personal attributes, or characteristics. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to help students succeed in their pursuit of a business-related career. Twenty-eight students have received Stout’s Women in Business Scholarships since the program’s inception in 2013. In 2022, Stout doubled its investment in this program, awarding $12,000 in scholarships to upcoming female leaders.