Jordan Cracknell on Women in Finance, Confidence, and Inspiring the Next Generation

In the latest installment of the Morning Lazziness series, which celebrates the empowerment of women who have made a significant impact with their innovative ideas, I had the privilege of interviewing Lauren Anders Brown.

Jordan Cracknell, a finance professional, author, and advocate for women in the financial sector, hails from the UK. She is the creative mind behind "You Can Count on Penny," a children’s book aimed at fostering a love for mathematics in young readers. Her insightful opinion pieces have been featured in reputable publications such as Today.com, metro.co.uk, and City am.

A native New Yorker, Jordan holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Finance from Baruch College. Her passion for finance was ignited during a memorable "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" at the World Trade Center with her father, inspiring her to pursue a career in the industry.

With a background in investment banking and trading, Jordan has honed her skills at global corporations like Deutsche Bank and Renaissance Capital. From crafting pitch books as a fresh graduate to thriving on fast-paced trading floors, she has built a dynamic career while advocating for greater representation of women in finance.

Currently residing in the UK with her husband, double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell, Jordan juggles her professional commitments with stepmotherhood, writing, and mentoring. She is dedicated to empowering the next generation to handle finances confidently, pursue careers in finance, and break barriers in the industry.

In this exclusive interview, Jordan shares insights into the mindset shifts, bold moves, and lessons that have enabled her to translate ideas into impactful ventures.

Reflecting on her journey into finance, Jordan recounts how her father’s influence and a serendipitous opportunity led her to embark on a career in the financial services sector. She emphasizes the importance of seizing networking opportunities to shape her current role as a CEO.

As a woman navigating a male-dominated industry, Jordan acknowledges the initial challenges of self-doubt and feeling out of place but underscores the significance of building confidence and resilience to thrive in such environments.

When asked about strategies for thriving as the only woman in the room, Jordan emphasizes the importance of fostering strong interpersonal relationships and viewing colleagues as allies rather than adversaries.

Dispelling misconceptions about women in finance, Jordan highlights the wealth of talented and capable women already making their mark in the industry. She encourages aspiring female professionals to leverage networking platforms like LinkedIn to connect with inspiring role models.

For women seeking financial empowerment, Jordan recommends leveraging online resources like YouTube and Khan Academy for financial education. She stresses the importance of curiosity, action, and self-belief in building financial literacy and independence.

Identifying untapped opportunities for women in the financial sector, Jordan points to emerging fields like Fintech, crypto, and AI applications as areas ripe for exploration. She underscores the potential for women to leverage these trends to carve out new pathways in finance.

Discussing her motivation behind writing "You Can Count on Penny," Jordan emphasizes the need to inspire young minds to consider careers in finance early on. She shares insights from her research, highlighting the lack of resources and role models guiding children towards financial careers.

By weaving her love for writing with a passion for promoting women in finance, Jordan aims to spark conversations about careers in a fun and engaging way through her book. She hopes that "You Can Count on Penny" will challenge stereotypes and inspire young readers to pursue careers in finance.

Proceeds from Jordan’s book support education and employability initiatives, aligning with her commitment to empowering children to realize their potential. She praises the work of organizations like Primary Futures, which bridge the gap between education and future careers for young individuals.

Drawing on her two-decade career in finance, Jordan offers three key money lessons for women, emphasizing the importance of budgeting, financial planning, and self-trust in decision-making. She underscores the role of confidence in taking charge of one’s financial future.

Balancing a demanding career with personal life, particularly as the wife of an accomplished athlete, Jordan emphasizes the importance of organization and teamwork in managing responsibilities effectively. She highlights the collaborative approach she and her husband take in dividing household tasks and supporting each other’s endeavors.

When asked to impart advice to her younger self regarding money and career, Jordan’s message is simple yet powerful: be more confident in your abilities.

For those inspired by Jordan’s mission, she invites readers to connect with her on Instagram and explore her work on her website.