Lauren Simmons (born August 11, 1994)[1] is an American producer, writer, podcaster, and former stock trader for Rosenblatt Securities. On March 6, 2017, at age 22, she became the youngest and only current full-time female trader at the New York Stock Exchange. She also became the second African American woman in the Exchange's 228-year history to have such a position. Simmons left Wall Street in December 2018.
Lauren Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 11, 1994 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Kennesaw State University |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Known for | Youngest and only (current, but not first) full-time female trader at New York Stock Exchange |
She was named to Ebony's Power 100 list in 2018, and was also awarded 2018 Women of Impact by Politico.[2][3][4][5]
She has been referred to as the "Wolfette of Wall Street".[6]
Early life
editSimmons was raised in Marietta, Georgia.[7] She received her bachelor's degree in genetics from Kennesaw State University in 2016 with plans to pursue a career in genetic counseling.[8] However, she decided instead to move to New York City and once there she met Richard Rosenblatt through networking.[3]
Career
editSimmons gained prominence in 2017 at age 22, after she took a job at Rosenblatt Securities and became the youngest and only woman trader on the New York Stock Exchange.[9] She is also the second African American woman in history to have that position.[10] During her time as a full-time equity trader she earned $12,000 per year.[11][12] She left the position in December 2018, and cited exclusion by her coworkers after she received press coverage as one of her reasons for leaving.[12] She is an advocate for the financial sector to take steps to increase diversity and inclusion.[9]
In September, 2021, Simmons launched the podcast Mind, Body, Wealth,[13] which she hosted through December, 2022.[14] In February, 2022, the show was retitled Money Moves[14] and became a Spotify original show.[15][16] In 2021, she became the first host and producer of the web video series Going Public, which helps viewers invest in companies that are preparing to release an IPO.[17][18] Simmons hosted the first season of the show, whose ten episodes aired from January 18, 2022 through March 23, 2022.[19] In 2024, Baron Davis succeeded Simmons as host of the show, whose second season first aired on May 14, 2024.[20][17]
Simmons wrote the 2023 book Make Money Move: A Guide to Financial Wellness[21] about personal finance.
Simmons is the co-executive producer of a forthcoming biographical film about her life, starring and co-produced with Kiersey Clemons for AGC Studios.[22]
References
edit- ^ Connley, Courtney (2018-11-15). "24-year-old NYSE equity trader Lauren Simmons' career inspired a film". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
- ^ "Congratulations to our Women of Impact ..." Politico Live. 11 Dec 2018.
- ^ a b Fluker, Dominique. "How This 24-Year-Old Former NYSE Equity Trader Made History". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ Parker, Najja. "Georgia native, KSU alum only full-time woman trader at New York Stock Exchange". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ Cline-Thomas, Aundrea (August 30, 2018). "Lauren Simmons: Paving the way from Georgia to Wall Street". NBC News. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
- ^ Rowley, Melissa Jun. "How The Youngest Woman Trader On Wall Street Is Helping Startups Go Public". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
- ^ Cline-Thomas, Aundrea (2018-08-30). "Lauren Simmons: Paving the way from Georgia to Wall Street". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ Fluker, Dominique. "How This 24-Year-Old Former NYSE Equity Trader Made History". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ a b Connley, Courtney (2020-06-24). "The NYSE's youngest female trader on diversity in finance: Employers need 'to stop making plans and just do it'". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ Fleming, As told to Olivia (2019-11-06). "Lauren Simmons Is the Wolfette of Wall Street". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ Rhinehart, Charlene (2021-03-13). "Youngest Female Trader on Wall Street Reveals She Only Earned $12,000 Per Year". Black Enterprise.
- ^ a b Simmons, Lauren. "At 22, I was the youngest-ever woman NYSE floor trader and making $12,000 a year. I walked away after 2 years and never looked back — here's what the experience taught me". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ Simmons, Lauren (2021-09-29). "Mind Body Wealth with Lauren Simmons". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ a b Simmons, Lauren (2022-02-11). "Money Moves". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ Simmons, Lauren (2022-02-11). "Welcome to Money Moves". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ Simmons, Lauren (2022-02-11). "Welcome to Money Moves". Podtail. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ a b Peyser, Eve (2021-01-23). "Wall Street's Millennial Wonder Readies Her Next Act". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ Connley, Courtney (2021-03-24). "Former NYSE traders Lauren Simmons and Martina Edwards talk breaking barriers in finance". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
- ^ "Going Public Episode list (Season 1)". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "Going Public Episode list (Season 2)". CNBC. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "Make Money Move: A Guide to Financial Wellness". Publishers Weekly. 2023-08-25.
- ^ "A film is being made about the youngest female trader ever at the stock exchange". ABC News. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 2 December 2018.