With so much negativity in the world these days, I often findmyself actively searching for the “good stuff” and celebratingthose who share this information with me. I recently caughtup with my friend and colleague, Emily Viner, VP of Agency Growth& Development for Guardian, and we were discussing Guardian’sstudy on closing the gender gap in sales and how they areworking hard to change the landscape for women in the industry.

According to Viner, “Our industry struggles to recruit womeninto sales roles, but the issue is much broader than us. The studyprovides a clearer picture of how to position a career in sales asa satisfying and successful venture for those who are interested ina new opportunity. We now have a roadmap showing how to besthighlight career benefits to women and address concerns they mayhave. We need to start sharing that message with youngwomen and girls as well as experiencedwomen looking for their next career move.”

I get excited any time I hear of a company working on a newstrategy to get more women into the industry. I often hearthat women in our industry account for about 14 percent of theproduction positions, and the percentage is even smaller inmanagement roles. But I feel like we’re on the brink of somethingbig here. Over the next several months, you are going to be wowedover and over again with a new series called "What’s the good news,ladies?" I know I have some amazing rock star women in mylife who are getting it done, so I reached out to some of them toshare with you some of their high points from this year. Buckle up!

Christy Aleckson, Single Point FinancialAdvisors

“I manifested the right help for my office. I hiredsomeone, recognized early that it wasn’t working out and let themgo. Then I was just opened to the right person to come inthat happened completely by chance with sharing office space! I also created an entire new program to work with millennials andget paid that will launch in September.”

Angela Ribuffo, First Command FinancialServices

"In the last 12 months I completed my ChFC and my CDFA. I alsobecame the National Secretary of Women in Insurance & FinancialServices and will serve as the first African American President ofthe organization from 2017-2018. In my previous life I was a flightnurse for the United States Air Force and I have been able to stayclose to my "roots" when it comes to helping military families andtheir financial future. In July of this year I was selected to bethe Honorary Commander for the Alaska Air National Guard by JointBase Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. The honorarycommanders program fosters relationships and cooperation betweencommunity leaders and military members and I’m ecstatic to receivesuch and honor."

Becky Brothers, Principal Financial Group

“I now work with over 200 representatives in 11 states and withtwo boards. I serve as a speaker on programs for YATs on the NAIFALeadership Academy. And all of this has happened for me in lessthan four years. I attribute this to being in an industry, companyand a member of associations that have provided me withopportunities through mentorship programs, development tracks andreal life stories of how this industry provides an amazingopportunity to help others.”

How inspiring, right? And this is just thebeginning! Make sure you check back next month to hear aboutthree more amazing women and what they are doing to succeed in thisindustry. Until next time, my friends.