Tammie Tirres, a senior advisor advocate of capital markets at Noble Capital, is responsible for building relationships with current and prospective financial advisors, sourcing new opportunities to grow relationships with existing and potential investors and coordinating Noble Capital’s Private Lender Network. She is also the producer of the Real Wealth Blueprint talk radio show on 1370 AM, Austin and KLIF 570 AM, Dallas. AAPL asked Tirres about women in business leadership.

AAPL: What female leader do you try to emulate or look up to for strength and guidance?  

Tammie Tirres: Oprah Winfrey. She endured many hardships and rejections before making a name for herself. Her persistence and determination have made her the powerhouse she is today.

AAPL: Do you have daily practices that lend to your strengths?

TT: I try to learn something new every day whether studying to advance my career or by learning from my peers. You can never stop educating yourself. Knowledge is power.

AAPL: What characteristics are necessary for women to be in such a male dominated industry?

TT: Confidence and resilience. In this industry, women have to work a little bit harder and really stand our ground to prove that we belong here. It’s sad, but unfortunately that is the reality we live in. Anytime I’m in a situation where someone doesn’t want to work with me because I’m a female, I take it as an educational opportunity to let them know I’m just as capable as a man and try and help them get over that stereotype.

AAPL: What motivates you to get out of bed and face your industry on a daily basis?

TT: I love working in real estate finance because I get to help others reach their financial/retirement goals, in addition to helping increase the percentage of women working in this industry. I have empowered myself to not complain about the lack of women in our industry but try every day to make small differences that could help the next generation of women in real estate finance.

AAPL: What do you think women, as a whole, bring to the finance industry?

TT: Compassion, but don’t mistake that for a weakness. Our compassion allows us to ease the awkwardness or the fear that people have when talking about finances. Women are empathetic which allows them to work with their customers, providing a sense of calm and enabling them to speak freely about what they are trying to obtain with their finances.

AAPL: Now that you have been in the industry for a while, what would you tell your younger self about going into this sector of finance?

TT: Don’t be afraid of rejection. Don’t take it personally. Learn from it; it will only make you stronger.

AAPL: What advice would you give other woman searching for their industry voice?        

TT: Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. Speak up. Don’t be afraid to break down the walls of the boy’s club.

AAPL: What characteristics are necessary for a woman to have to be a good leader?

TT: Intelligence, confidence, compassion, determination and great communication skills.

AAPL: Do you think the gender gap still exists? 

TT: Most definitely. However, the gap is getting smaller day by day. I think women tend to steer from the financial industry as, historically, it’s been predominantly men which has been a deterrent for women. When attending conferences, for example, the gap is apparent because of the ratio of women to men, whether it’s the attendees or speakers.

AAPL: What changes do you think should be made to create a balance between men and women in the finance industry?

TT: I think people should be compensated based on their performance rather their gender. Gender shouldn’t determine your responsibilities or compensation, they should be based on performance. Another change that would help create a balance is to have more women in leadership roles which would provide more role models for younger females.

AAPL: How do you think the gender gap has affected or not affected your career?

TT: Fortunately, in my current job, it has not affected me professionally. I am grateful to work for a company that sees their employees for what they can bring to the table rather than gender. However, the gender discrepancy is apparent in the industry as a whole.

AAPL: Is the company you work for doing anything to help close the gap?

TT: Like I mentioned earlier, the gender gap doesn’t really affect my company. If anything, they are serving as an example to other companies by employing and promoting more women. Women’s mentorship programs would also go a long way toward improving the standing of women in finance.

AAPL: Have you witnessed change since you started in the industry?

TT: I have witnessed change. I am seeing a greater number of women in roles that were mainly occupied by men. I’m seeing more and more women starting their own companies to overcome this stigma, and I’m seeing more and more women act as role models for other women.

##

Check back daily to see who is featured, and to be inspired!