Jayda Noyes, Daily Herald
She spends her time helping out Prince Albert in many realms and even commits to international charities, and now Pat Weir is being recognized around the country.
Weir manages Lawton Partners, a financial planning company.
Being a woman in a male-based industry for over 40 years and being involved with organizations like the Victoria Hospital Foundation, she’s a finalist for a Women in Wealth Management award in Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The inaugural event takes place in Toronto on Nov. 21.
For Weir, being a finalist was like fate, since she already planned on attending with a group of friends.
She knew someone else at a Regina business nominated her, but the news still took her aback.
“It just goes into this big pot, and I got this email and I went ‘woah,’” she said. “It’s pretty thrilling.”
She said there were 500 nominations among all the categories. Her’s is now narrowed down to six people.
“It’s nice to see women coming together to support each other and recognizing women that have been in the business,” said Weir.
When she began working in financial planning, she said about 10 per cent in the industry were women. Many years later, the number has only increased slightly.
Weir has primarily focused on supporting the Victoria Hospital Foundation, but she’s also recently agreed to join the board of the YWCA.
She chairs the Prince Albert Trust Fund, recognizing younger generations who are involved in the community.
“They’re our future leaders,” she said.
But she doesn’t limit her good deeds to the city’s barriers.
She’s also part of a charity called Global Neighbours.
“We do humanitarian work on the Thai-Burma border working with refugees and people that have come over from the border and into Thailand because they fear for their lives,” she said.
They often build and renovate schools.
“Some (have) one room and there’s hardly a roof and the kids sit on the floor and share pencils,” said Weir. “Everything that we take for granted here is like winning the 6-49 over there.”
When it comes to wealth management, Weir hopes she can do more advocating for women.
“Whether you want to be in the financial planning industry or any other industry, women can do it. They just need the encouragement, making some plans, setting those goals and having something to measure against,” she said.
“I’m kind of at that age where retirement’s around the corner and I’ve put in quite a few years in this business and the fact that I’m a finalist makes me feel good–some recognition for some of the things that I’ve done over the years to try to encourage women to try this business out because I think it’s very suited for women,” added Weir.
Winning the award and representing her city would reiterate the career she already loves.
“I’d say ‘ya-hoo, P.A.!’ referencing if she were to win. “It would be pretty cool to bring it home.”
