RODEO QUEEN Turned Financial Trailblazer ... continued from previous page In the early 1980s and working in the male-dominated investment industry, Jane was initially one of only
Forensic Science Majors Attend
Prestigious Internship
at Carnegie Mellon
three females among 27 male financial advisors. Over the years, she often heard comments about “empty girdles,” who was or wasn’t attractive, “women should be at home barefoot and pregnant,” or “each woman hired is putting a man out of work and is stealing food off of his family’s dinner table.” Early in her career Jane attended “by invitation only” national financial advisor conferences. Male colleagues would approach her as if she was an employee of the hotel, and would ask her when coffee would be served, what was on the lunch menu, or could she contact their office with a message. She had to consistently stand her ground and educate many of her male colleagues that women too were registered representatives with the same certifications.
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By: Dr. Kay Marden ENMU Forensic Science Program Director Three talented ENMU forensic science majors were chosen to participate in the 2017 National Science
After years of gender inequality at a number of
Foundation “Research Experience for Undergraduates”
firms, Jane decided she could have greater personal
(REU) summer internship program. Susan Hartfelder
satisfaction and professional success by managing her
(forensic anthropology), Kristyn Frisque (forensic
own business. In 1989 Jane started her own independent
biology) and Trysha Parker (forensic anthropology),
investment firm, Summit Investment Group. At that time
were all invited to attend the nationally renowned, two-
there was a significant bias against smaller independent
month-long residential internship program at Carnegie
firms as they did not have the branding or marketing
Mellon University in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with
budgets to capture the attention of investors that the
all of the students’ travel and living expenses paid by
large wire houses had cultivated for decades.
the National Center for Statistics and Applications in
Today Jane’s firm is located in Santa Fe, right off of
Forensic Evidence (CSAFE).
prestigious Canyon Road. The independent firm partners
Working under the supervision of CSAFE’s leading
with Raymond James Financial Services for technology,
experts, our students contributed to a major initiative
research, and their portfolio management platforms.
in statistical foundations in forensic science, exploring
Summit is a wealth management firm that provides
novel ways to employ statistical models to solve key
estate and retirement planning, as well as portfolio
challenges in forensic evidence analysis. These young
management for high net worth clients ($500,000
scholars participated in evidence collection, data
minimum balance) in over 22 states.
analysis, and honed their professional communication
As a result of Jane’s grit, leadership and expertise, the
skills through regular presentations of research results.
firm has quadrupled managed assets and has been an
ENMU’s participation in the CSAFE REU internship
annually recognized member of the Raymond James
program has not only increased threefold in just one
Executive Council for providing exemplary client
year, but Eastern students comprised a large proportion
service and for maintaining a high level of professional
of the participants. With only 16 undergraduate students
performance. Jane truly proved herself in the male-
from seven institutions around the country invited to
dominated financial industry. Thanks to her and
attend this highly selective internship program, it is
countless other female baby boomers and professional
remarkable that all three Eastern students whose names
pioneers, women today have more career choices.
we submitted were accepted. We’re very proud of each
This former rodeo queen has never been happier.
of these young scientists, and we can’t wait to watch the
Green & Silver | April 2018
trajectories of their respective careers.
