Women Investment Professionals

Announcing The Inaugural Joanne Hickmann Dodd Award Winners

Chicago, IL – October 6, 2022

Women Investment Professionals (“WIP”) is pleased to announce that Paulina Ksiazek and Rebecca Norman have been selected as the inaugural winners of The Joanne Hickman Dodd Award. Created in 2022, the award honors women early in their investment industry careers who have made outsized contributions to their teams, demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence, and exemplify the next generation of outstanding leaders. 

Paulina Ksiazek is currently a financial advisor at Savant Wealth Management. Prior to Savant, Paulina gained her financial planning experience at Huber Financial Advisors, which merged with Savant in 2020. She is a member of Savant’s women’s initiative, Cents of Self, which seeks to provide female clients and prospects with educational materials, events, and resources for helping women take control of their financial future. Paulina is passionate about empowering her clients to make smart financial decisions. She not only advises but also educates them about the financial fundamentals to help them feel more secure. Paulina enjoys developing a meaningful partnership with clients as their trusted advisor as she supports them through life’s transitions. Paulina is active within her community, a member of the Barrington Junior Women’s Club and DePaul’s student mentoring program, Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK). Paulina earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from the DePaul University’s Richard H. Driehaus College of Business and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

Rebecca Norman, CFA is responsible for leading Kabouter’s Investor Relations and Client Servicing functions, including creating portfolio commentary, providing clients with portfolio updates, and working with prospective investors. Prior to joining Kabouter in 2018, Rebecca was a Managing Director at Eagle Capital Management in New York where she was responsible for investor relations and portfolio analysis. She spent her first year at Eagle Capital as a Research Associate on the Investment Team where she conducted fundamental, bottom-up equity analysis. Prior to that, she was a Portfolio Analyst in the Risk Management group at Wells Capital Management and an Investor Relations Associate at Sterling Capital Management in Charlotte. Rebecca graduated cum laude from Furman University with a B.A. in Business Administration and is a CFA charterholder.

“I am deeply moved by this award and its recognition of emerging leadership talent, said Joanne Hickman Dodd. Paulina has successfully worked her way through the ranks serving financial clients while mentoring and guiding other women to achieve success. Rebecca is currently managing a diverse team of professionals leading by example to drive success and growth of her team and firm. We are so proud to recognize these women who exemplify the leadership qualities necessary to lead our profession forward.”

About Jo Hickman Dodd 
Joanne “Jo” Hickman Dodd co-founded WIP in 1996 and has been a passionate advocate for women and children as well as a mentor for professionals throughout her distinguished career. For over 36 years, Jo has served the industry in senior executive asset management roles and in leadership roles at non-profit organizations. She currently chairs WIP’s Professional Development Committee and serves on its Advisory Council.  

About Women Investment Professionals (“WIP”) 
Established in 1996, Women Investment Professionals is a Chicago-based not-for-profit professional women’s organization. Our core purpose is to foster a professional community that actively inspires, empowers, and advocates for the advancement of women in the investment industry. We accomplish this by providing professional and personal development opportunities, educational programs, and networking across diverse disciplines, functions, and occupations. Our core values are integrity, collaboration, and inclusivity.