Raymond James Debuts Pride Advisors Network

By Janet Levaux

News June 04, 2020 at 11:25 AM

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Raymond James' headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Raymond James has launched the Pride Financial Advisors Network to support advisors, clients and other business partners identifying or working with members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The official debut comes about a year after the firm started introducing plans for the network at its advisor conferences.

"Our firm is about people. All people," Scott Curtis, president of Raymond James' Private Client Group, said in a statement. "Cultivating an inclusive environment where everyone's perspectives and contributions are welcomed and valued is an extension of Raymond James' culture."

The Pride network, along with networks for black advisors, for female advisors and for associates, is "integral in our mission to further diversity and inclusion within Raymond James and our profession," Curtis added.

The LGBTQ+ network's formation has been led by advisors Tom Hake and Marta Shen, as well as members of the associated advisory council.

"A global pandemic and resulting travel restrictions may have postponed our inaugural in-person Business of Pride Symposium, but it has certainly not slowed our plans and efforts," Shen said in a statement.

Other broker-dealers, such as LPL Financial, also have formed Pride networks.

"The Pride Financial Advisors Network has shown incredible dedication, enthusiasm and heart in their support of LGBTQ+ advisors, their teams and clients," said Renée Baker, head of Raymond James' Private Client Group Advisor Inclusion Networks, in a statement.

— Check out LGBTQs Are an Ideal Client Base for Advisors: T. Rowe Price on ThinkAdvisor.

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