Tag: empowerment

Support Through Leadership with Shareen Luze (Ep. 12)

Support Through Leadership with Shareen Luze (Ep. 12)

As employees’ lifestyles have shifted during the pandemic, now more than ever, having it ‘all together’ is not always a realistic expectation. 

So, how have female leadership roles evolved? How crucial has employee well-being become?

As women leaders, we can sometimes underestimate the power of authenticity in our role and how much of a unique position we have to support other women as they balance their roles as caregivers and professionals.

In this episode, Erica Cummings speaks with Shareen Luze, head of culture and field experience at RBC Wealth Management. Shareen unpacks the ins and outs of her career path in the financial and HR world while detailing how her journey led her to realize the power of support authenticity as a women leader.

 Shareen discusses:

  • The value of empathy for other women in the workplace
  • Ways her role portrays and represents employee advocacy
  • The pandemic and ways it changed the way she approaches employee well-being 
  • How her role sponsors women to find their voice in their careers
  • Her own journey with discovering her voice to empower and mentor other women
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Shareen Luze:

Connect with Erica Cummings:

About Our Guest:

Shareen Luze is head of culture and field experience for RBC Wealth Management–U.S. She saw equality and equity at the core of her upbringing—and applies her values to the work she does today. Shareen is dedicated to fostering a workplace that helps all employees reach their full potential.

In her role, Shareen develops and executes strategic human resources strategies and initiatives for the firm. She has built a career around providing compassionate advice and counsel to employees, managers, and leaders. She’s also established workplace policies that comply with legal and regulatory requirements and support RBC’s values.

She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan and graduated cum laude from Hamline University School of Law. Shareen currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Tubman Center, which promotes safe and healthy individuals and families through education and support services.

When she’s not in the office, Shareen enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

What You Should Know About Preparing for Change — Part 2 (Ep.11)

What You Should Know About Preparing for Change — Part 2 (Ep.11)

When faced with unexpected life changes that lead to greater independence, many women feel lost.

Whether it be the loss of a spouse, a divorce, retirement, or becoming financially independent,  the truth is that women face this crossroad much more frequently than men. 

In the second part of this two-part miniseries, Erica Cummings details ways to prepare for change and what to do when hit with transition fatigue. She sheds light on how sudden changes can uproot life and the reasons you should lean on your loved ones during the process.

Erica discusses:

  • The importance of knowing what you own and being aware of your financial picture, even when it’s split between spouses
  • Financial consequences of a spouse’s death 
  • Reasons you should know your partner’s financial situation 
  • Strategies to overcome the feelings attached to divorce
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Erica Cummings:

What You Should Know About the Stages of Transition — Part 1 (Ep.10)

What You Should Know About the Stages of Transition — Part 1 (Ep.10)

In life, changes and transitions are inevitable. 

But change can interfere with our daily lives: From forcing us to adapt to new routines, new relationships, and new surroundings to compromising our emotional, physical, and financial health.

In the first part of her two-part series, Erica Cummings highlights four common stages we all face when going through life changes and transitions. She sheds light on each stage and reveals ways resilience can help us adapt during these pivotal moments.

Erica discusses:

  • What you can do to minimize the bad and amplify the good during periods of transition
  • How to maintain your mental health and feel like yourself during pivotal life changes
  • The importance of looking toward your end goal
  • Strategies to feel empowered when life feels like it’s taking over 
  • And so much more!

Connect with Erica Cummings:

 

5. How to Regain Your Financial Strength After COVID-19

5. How to Regain Your Financial Strength After COVID-19

The past year and a half has had a tremendous impact on us financially and emotionally. As we come out of this pandemic, it is vital that we follow some best practices to recover our strength in these areas. 

In this episode, Erica Cummings reveals a financial- and mindset-based process that you can incorporate into your routine as you venture into your post-pandemic life. She touches on best practices to follow and shares common mistakes you’ll want to avoid. 

Erica discusses:

  • How people’s finances have likely changed as a result of COVID-19
  • Four basic financial principles you stick to
  • Common personal finance mistakes to avoid
  • Why remaining true to your financial situation is important
  • Reasons to ignore “background noise” from the media
  • And more

Resources:

Connect With Erica Cummings:

Episode 4 – How to Find the Right Financial Advisor for You

Episode 4 – How to Find the Right Financial Advisor for You

When seeking out a financial advisor, you want to find someone you can trust and who will be able to help you work towards your unique financial goals.

In this episode, join Erica as she reveals how you can find the right advisor for you. Erica reviews key questions you should be prepared to ask any potential advisor and explains why each is critical for finding someone that will help you reach financial wellness.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • How to find an advisor who is well-suited to your needs 
  • About the different financial designations and how they might support your goals  
  • Ways financial advisors are compensated 
  • The importance of having your values align with the values of your advisor 
  • And more!

Tune in now to equip yourself with information that will help you the best financial advisor for you! 

Resources: Harmony Financial WellnessHarmony Financial Wellness Facebook | Connect with Erica on LinkedIn | erica.cummings@rbc.com

Episode 3: The B.I.N.D.E.R Process

Episode 3: The B.I.N.D.E.R Process

When life throws a curveball your way, it can be easy to respond with a knee-jerk, emotional reaction. However, letting your emotions guide your financial decisions can derail you from truly experiencing financial success.

That’s why Erica Cummings and the Harmony Financial Wellness team have created a process to prevent this and to reconnect you with your rational brain.

In this episode, join Erica as she guides you through the B.I.N.D.E.R process. Erica breaks down the 6-step process and highlights how they each work to guide you towards rational thinking and an understanding of what truly matters.  

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Having faith in your future 
  • The importance of setting long-term goals  
  • How to create a roadmap for working toward your goals  
  • The value in having a community of individuals in similar financial situations as you 
  • And more!

Tune in now to discover the B.I.N.D.E.R process and how it could help you! 

Resources: Harmony Financial WellnessHarmony Financial Wellness Facebook | Connect with Erica on LinkedIn | erica.cummings@rbc.com

Episode 2 – An In Depth Look at the Eight Dimensions of Strength

Episode 2 – An In Depth Look at the Eight Dimensions of Strength

Balancing multiple aspects of your life can be tricky, but luckily, the Eight Dimensions of Strength can help you recognize how you can live a more fulfilling life and how to recognize when one of those dimensions may need a little extra care. 

In this episode, Erica Cummings dives deep into what the Eight Dimensions of Strength are and how they might translate into your life! She gives deeper meaning to each Strength and shares some personal experiences along the way! 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What the eight dimensions of strength are and what they look like  
  • Ways to find your inner fire and keep it going 
  • How confidence fits into the various dimensions of strength 
  • The importance of nourishing our relationships 
  • And more!

Tune in now to hear more from Erica on how the Eight Dimensions of Strength translate to your life.  

Resources: Harmony Financial WellnessHarmony Financial Wellness FB | Erica Cummings | Erica Cummings

Episode 1 – Welcome to A Strong Woman for Strong Women!

Episode 1 – Welcome to A Strong Woman for Strong Women!

Welcome to A Strong Woman for Strong Women, a podcast made to empower women in all areas of life! 

In this debut episode, meet your host and guide, Erica Cummings. Erica shares her personal and professional background and reveals how she found her strength as a woman throughout her life journey. Plus, learn why Erica is on a mission to empower other women like her — and how she plans on doing it!

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Why Erica works with high-achieving women  
  • Erica’s eight dimensions of strength 
  • Why you sometimes need to put yourself first
  • The B.I.N.D.E.R process  
  • And more!

Tune in now to get to know your host and to gain insight into what this series can bring you on your journey to wellness!

Resources: Harmony Financial Wellness | Erica Cummings