In 1985, wanting a change from selling office equipment to law firms, Lynne Wright answered a job ad for a “proven producer” placed by the E.F. Hutton branch manager in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “I knew I was a productive person,” Wright recalled with amusement, “but I didn’t know anything about the financial services industry and had no idea they were looking for a broker with a book of business.” Nevertheless, the office manager saw potential and hired and mentored her, kicking off a successful career that included a move to Raymond James in 2001. After years of trying not to draw attention to her personal life, Wright came out in 1997, wanting to be her “authentic self and not hide anymore.”

She says she felt welcomed and embraced by Raymond James from the start, and when she explained why offering same-sex-partner benefits was important, firm management “was open to the idea” and offered the benefits within a year. Wright has served on Raymond James’ Women’s Advisory Council and its Pride Financial Advisors Network Council, saying in her self-effacing way that while she is active with her checkbook outside of Raymond James, there she is “kind of a spokesperson for women and gay communities.”

Evan Cooper