Spotlight on Women at Focus: A Conversation with Nicole Jackson Leslie

What does International Women’s Day or Women’s History Month mean to you personally?

To me, International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month are about pausing and reflecting. They offer a chance to step back from the day‑to‑day and consider both the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead.

These reflections remind us not only of how far we’ve come in advancing gender equality, but also of the sacrifices made by those—both women and men—who helped pave the way.

They are also a reminder that our work is not finished. There are still gaps that require our attention and our advocacy. I think of this time as a yearly reset—a moment to celebrate progress, acknowledge what remains undone, and recommit to moving things forward together, whether as a society, within our workplaces, or as women supporting one another.

Is there a woman, past or present, who has influenced or inspired your professional path?

My mentor and colleague, Adrienne Penta, National Head of Wealth Management at SCS Financial, has been deeply influential in shaping my career path.

I met Adrienne when I was a senior in college preparing to go to law school. At the time, I was interested in pursuing a career in family law, largely because I wanted to help families navigate challenges and make a meaningful difference in their lives. A career in trusts and estates was not on my radar—conversations about trusts and investment accounts were simply not part of my upbringing—until I met Adrienne and learned about her own career path. Through those conversations, I began to realize that trusts and estates offered another way to pursue my dream of practicing law while working closely with families.

The following year, I went on to study at the University of Virginia School of Law. After graduating, I practiced law in the Wealth Management Group at Choate, Hall & Stewart and later joined Brown Brothers Harriman as a wealth strategist, where I had the opportunity to work alongside Adrienne. In 2025, I joined SCS Financial as the Head of Wealth Strategy—an exciting and meaningful next step in my career that I had been seeking.

I often think back to my 21‑year‑old self, just beginning to navigate the professional world and wondering where I might fit in. I recognize how fortunate I was to meet someone who took the time to share her story and show a genuine interest in my professional growth and success. I often share that story with younger professionals, though the lesson applies to all of us, because you never know how a single conversation might change your trajectory and open doors you didn’t even know were there.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and how did you navigate them?

I entered the workforce in 2014, and I feel fortunate that much of the groundwork had already been laid by the women who came before me. Even so, there are still many moments when I find myself as one of only a few women in the room—or sometimes the only one.

Earlier in my career, those situations could feel intimidating or frustrating. Over time, as my confidence has grown, I’ve learned to reframe them. When I’m the only woman or person of color in a room, I remind myself: I am here for a reason. I don’t shy away from a conversation simply because I feel like I don’t fit in. Instead, I use my voice and focus on the value I bring to the table.

I’ve also learned that I don’t need to force myself to fit into every conversation. Trying to play along can backfire, as people may assume you know more than you do. For example, I’ve become very comfortable saying, “I don’t golf, but I do this…” and then redirecting the conversation to something more inclusive and authentic to me.

What has been the most rewarding part of your career so far?

Families are fascinating, and working with them is my favorite part of my job. Effective estate planning requires a deep understanding of clients’ lives, both financially and within the context of their family relationships. Financial and planning decisions don’t happen in a vacuum, and working as a wealth strategist allows me to build long‑term, holistic relationships with families.

Over the years, I’ve seen families reach meaningful breakthrough moments—whether that means finding solutions to issues that have weighed on them for a long time or reopening lines of communication after periods of conflict or estrangement. Being part of those moments is incredibly meaningful to me.

I’m also pursuing continuing education in family systems theory because I want to better understand the impact of family dynamics on our work and how those dynamics surface in conversations about planning and investments. I feel very fortunate to have a role that allows me to lean into this work and support our clients in so many different ways.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in finance?

I would encourage them to give it serious consideration, even if it isn’t what they always pictured themselves doing.

Don’t let one tough finance class—or the fact that you’ve never taken one—scare you off. When I was younger and heard the term “wealth management,” I thought of investment banking or trading stocks. In reality, that’s just one small part of a very broad and dynamic field. Wealth management offers many different paths, including client‑facing roles, strategy‑focused work, and the operations teams that keep everything running behind the scenes. There truly is something for almost every skill set and interest.

It’s also important to remember that your first role doesn’t have to be the perfect fit that you stay in forever. You may make a lateral move within a firm, or transition to a different firm altogether, and ultimately find a role that better aligns with your strengths and interests.

Finally, I always encourage people—especially women—to talk with those who are already doing this work. Ask how they got here, what they enjoy most, and what they might do differently. And remember, you don’t have to have grown up around wealth to belong in this field. Coming from a different background can be a real advantage in offering a fresh perspective and insight that enriches our work and profession as a whole.

What change for women in this industry are you most encouraged by right now? How can organizations better support women’s career growth? 

One change I’m particularly encouraged by is the shift toward hybrid work and greater flexibility.

For professionals who are caregivers—both men and women—flexibility can be incredibly powerful. It can be what allows someone to remain engaged and continue to grow in their career rather than feeling the need to step away. There are seasons of life when the demands of work take time away from family, and others when family needs take precedence. Having flexibility in your schedule helps you navigate those moments, remain productive at work, and reduce the risk of burnout. We often say that you can’t have it all at the same time, but having the right flexibility can get you pretty close.

In terms of what organizations can do, I believe continued investment in mentorship is critical. As women take on bigger roles, our plates naturally become fuller, and it can be easy for mentoring to slip. But those relationships matter deeply—especially for younger women who are just starting their careers and looking for guidance and examples to follow.

At SCS, we’re building a women’s mentoring network that includes both formal elements, such as structured pairings or small groups, and more informal opportunities to connect. You need both. Formal programs help reach people who may not naturally seek out mentorship, while informal interactions allow relationships to develop more organically.

Creating a culture where people know one another as individuals—not just as titles—also goes a long way. When you understand what someone has going on outside of work, you can support them more effectively, and they’re more likely to feel welcomed, connected, and valued.

What does mentorship—either giving or receiving—mean to you?

Mentorship has shaped my career in a very real way, and because of that, I feel a strong responsibility to mentor others. That includes women and people of color who may not see themselves represented in the wealth management industry. Through programs at work, as well as partnerships with schools and professional organizations, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with students who are curious about this field but unsure whether it’s right for them. I want them to know they don’t need a particular family background to be successful in this space and that their perspective truly matters.

Real mentorship sometimes requires putting the mentee’s interests ahead of your own. Supporting someone may mean helping them move to a different team or even encouraging them to pursue an opportunity at another firm. Those conversations can be difficult, but if you genuinely care about someone’s growth, you must be open to them.

At its core, mentorship is about meeting people where they are—recognizing their strengths, listening to what they want, and then using your experience and network to help them move closer to those goals.