FIA Profiles Carl Kennedy as Part of ‘Diverse Voices' Series

Financial Markets and Funds partner Carl Kennedy was featured in the Futures Industry Association's (FIA) Diverse Voices series, sharing the personal stories of members of the derivatives community and highlighting opportunities for greater diversity and inclusion. The article notes how Carl first started working in the derivatives industry as legal counsel for Managed Funds Association (MFA) and later for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Carl indicated that a major barrier to diversity and inclusion is the lack of persons of color, Black or otherwise, in senior positions at the CFTC, in the financial services industry and at large law firms. He added that making a difference involves both creating job opportunities and offering mentoring to ensure advancement. "I think it is important for these leaders to actively provide these opportunities notwithstanding that these persons do not look like them and may not have the same cultural background. I feel fortunate for the opportunities that I was given at the Commission and since then." He credits roles mentors — his uncle; Lauren Teigland-Hunt, outside derivatives counsel for the MFA; and former CFTC Commissioner Scott O'Malia — played in his career development and encouraged others in senior leadership at the CFTC and large financial institutions and law firms to take similar steps to become allies in changing power dynamic. ("Sponsors are key to solving lack of diversity," August 24, 2020)