Lauren Simmons | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 11, 1994 |
| 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 |
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.
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]
Simmons 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]
Simmons 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]