“They respect that authenticity and see you as a leader because of it”
BY DYLAN MANN-HAZELL
Over the course of her 30-year career in banking, Elisabeth Watson has worn many hats – from financial controller, to data specialist, to her current role in corporate finance at JPMorganChase. But throughout her life, two aspects of her personal identity have been central to her professional journey: being a lesbian, and being neurodivergent. In this candid interview, Elisabeth talks to myGwork about grappling with aspects of her identity later in life, and how these identities intersect with each other.
Elisabeth came to terms with her sexuality in her early 20s, finding this realisation challenging at first. She had always felt different from other people and wasn’t sure she wanted to confirm that feeling. However, meeting her now-wife soon after coming out helped Elisabeth embrace her identity, and she now proudly identifies as a lesbian.
Elisabeth’s experience of being open about her sexuality at work has generally been a positive one. The banking industry, traditionally dominated by men, has progressively uplifted women and LGBTQIA employees over the course of Elisabeth’s career. Rather unexpectedly, she found that many people appreciate her openness and respect her unapologetic attitude. Elisabeth believes that rather than being a disadvantage, her authenticity actually serves as an advantage.
“A lot of people like the fact that you’re open with them. They respect that authenticity and see you as a leader because of it,” she explains.
The other aspect of Elisabeth’s identity that has been key in her personal and professional journey is being neurodivergent. Elisabeth was diagnosed as Autistic in 2021, after already spending over two decades in her career. Prior to this, Elisabeth felt she lacked true understanding of her multifaceted identity, even through her LGBTQIA advocacy work.
The diagnosis has been a life-changing experience for Elisabeth, allowing her to better comprehend her intricacies and move forward with even greater authenticity. Elisabeth remarks upon how being a lesbian while also being neurodivergent positively intersected in her life. “There are a lot of parallels in the journeys of the LGBTQIA and neurodivergent communities,” Elisabeth observes. “The neurodivergent path is further behind though, and I want to apply the lessons learned from LGBTQIA advocacy to help advance that acceptance and understanding.”
At her current place of work, JPMorganChase, Elisabeth has found an environment that genuinely embraces diversity and inclusion for all its employees – including the LGBTQIA community and individuals who are neurodivergent. She describes the organisation as one that instils these concepts in a very “business-as-usual” way, rather than treating them as passing trends.
The Global Neurodiversity strategy at JPMorganChase was devised to position the firm as a sought-after employer and a global industry leader in advancing disability and neuro inclusion in the workplace, by removing barriers and closing the equity gap. The firm works closely with senior leaders across the firm to ensure all roles are available and supported in a neuro inclusive environment. In 2022, JPMorganChase named its first Global Head of Neurodiversity to further enhance this commitment.
JPMorganChase’s focus on visibility and representation have been particularly meaningful to Elisabeth. “There are people in senior roles here who are out and proud, which is something I haven’t experienced at other organisations. It’s been really encouraging to see that level of representation.” The firm’s LGBTQ+ Executive Forum is a consortium of over 500 out senior leaders, serving as role models and mentors to talent across the organisation.
Beyond structural changes, Elisabeth has been given the latitude to play a first-hand role in advocacy work for both the LGBTQIA and neurodivergent communities. She appreciates the firm’s openness and willingness to use honest dialogue to enact change. “I can say, ‘look, this is my lived experience,’ and that forms part of the dialogue”.
This support and engagement has been crucial for Elisabeth, allowing her an emotional connection to her work. Looking ahead, she emphasises the importance of continuing the momentum in support of diversity and inclusion, both within JPMorganChase and society at large. Elisabeth urges businesses and ERG leaders to remain steady in the fight for equity and inclusion and the promotion of education and awareness to further increase understanding of diverse communities.
“We’ll always have to remind people that the privilege of not experiencing that they are different means they don’t know what it’s like. Unless someone points that out, they’re unaware. So, there will always be work for us to do, and those of us with more privilege within the community need to hold the door open for others.”
JPMorganChase is a proud partner of myGwork, the LGBTQ+ business community. Find out more about LGBTQ+-friendly job opportunities at JPMorganChase.
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