Jane T Russell Heart and Soul Award: Sonia Ayton

In honor of our former longtime Chairman George Russell's life partner, Jane, and her important contributions to our firm's foundational culture, the Heart and Soul Award recognizes an associate for their commitment and dedication to:

• Improving the lives of others in their community through volunteering or other means
• Making a difference through global causes

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When Sonia first heard she won the award, she was shocked. “I never thought I would be nominated, much more win,” she recalls. “The idea of receiving such as prestigious award never entered my mind.?So, to be nominated by my peers, to win this award, has left me feeling deeply touched and deeply honoured.?When Michelle Seitz [Russell Investments’ CEO] called to tell me I won, it left me in tears. Happy tears!”

Her colleagues were not surprised. One shares that: “Sonia represents the heart and soul culture of Russell Investments, balancing a full workload with charitable initiatives that enhance people’s lives. She raises and keeps diversity issues at the top of our agenda by flagging them, in a supportive and collaborative way, enabling those who do not have firsthand experience to gain an informed understanding.”

Sonia first met Colleen Amos, who started the Amos Bursary, at a #talkaboutblack seminar. Her passion and enthusiasm in wanting young black males (at that time, Amos only offered bursaries to young male students) to pursue careers in professions such as asset management — which would otherwise be out of their reach without sponsorship and support from professional corporations — touched a core within Sonia as it aligned with her own passion for creating opportunities and better outcomes for young black people.

“As a Black British Woman of Jamaican descent, and having experienced discrimination in the past, it is important for me to do what I can in my little space to help these young people achieve. I am proud that Russell is behind me on this and fully supportive of the work we are doing with The Amos Bursary.”?

Right now, “we are mentoring a few Amos students and I am immensely proud of all of them,” Sonia explains. “As a Black British Woman of Jamaican descent, and having experienced discrimination in the past, it is important for me to do what I can in my little space to help these young people achieve. I am proud that Russell is behind me on this and fully supportive of the work we are doing with The Amos Bursary.”

Her passion and commitment to the project is also noted by other associates: “She established their mentoring program with us and is completely engaged with the process. Her fondness for these students is evident.” Another shares that “despite being a single Mum and having a demanding workload, Sonia has always managed to make time for The Amos Bursary and inject her enthusiasm as passion into the program.”

Congratulations to Sonia on the well-deserved Jane T Russell Heart and Soul Award!