San Francisco startup Choir is transforming financial industry conferences by promoting diversity and inclusion for women, minorities, and non-binary professionals. Founded by Sonya Dreizler and Liv Gagnon, Choir launched programs like its certification process and the upcoming Voices platform to connect event organizers with diverse expert speakers. Financial advisors and firms, including Michael Kitces’ XY Planning Network, have embraced Choir’s Diversity and Visibility Analytics Report to benchmark and improve representation at conferences.
Similarly, Boston-based Willow launched Willow Insight for Advisors, helping firms attract and retain women and minority clients during key life transitions. Partnerships with major firms, including BlackRock, enhance the reach of these programs, allowing advisors to better serve underrepresented investors. The trend is growing as conferences recognize that diverse speaker lineups boost engagement, media attention, and long-term client returns…