Teveia Barnes, FWSF IWD Keynote Speaker: It Takes Courage, Tenacity and a Belief in Oneself

By Marianne LaPorte, FWSF MarComm Co-Chair

On Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the Wharton School of Business in San Francisco, the FWSF hosted its second annual IWD event, (co-sponsored by Wharton and CFA Society of San Francisco).

The IWD event kicked-off with keynote speaker Teveia Barnes, who is a former director of the California Infrastructures and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Teveia shared her career experience as well as her thoughts and wisdom on what we can learn from the “Year of the Woman.” 

Inspired by the great Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., in D.C., at 10 years old Teveia dreamed of being a lawyer. She didn’t know what lawyers did exactly, but she knew that they were problem solvers. In 1986 she joined the legal department at Bank of America where she started her career. Her next position was a partner at the law firm of Foley and Lardner LLP. In 1999, she established Lawyers for One America, where she provided legal services to underprivileged communities. In 2013 she answered Governor Jerry Brown’s call to join the California IBank. Here, she enjoyed improving the quality of lives in the community.

Teveia noted that 2018 was the year of the woman and that women are rising to the occasion more engaged than ever before. Further, she said they are speaking up to demand change, acting and taking control of how women are treated. Teveia told the audience that in the aftermath of the #metoo movement, more men are becoming activists for women. Further, she drew inspiring examples from Katie Couric, Channing Dungey, Christiane Amanpour, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg leading the way for women in 2018. In conclusion, she summarized that women need courage, tenacity, idealism and a belief in themselves.

Teveia’s advice to the audience:

• Connect your head and your heart
• Do what makes you smile and pursue it
• Never underestimate the power of one
• Value others as they truly are
• Listen to your heart (physically)
• Do not tolerate words and actions that are inappropriate 
• Be inspired by other courageous women
• Find your passion

Additional Articles about IWD

IWD Hands-On Roundtable Discussions Explore Women’s Financial and Career Issues
By Anne Evers, FWSF MarComm Co-Chair

Panel Discussion: Overcoming Obstacles and Sharing Success Stories
By Linda Wagner, VP, FWSF MarComm