Witad Awards 2025: Wellness/work-life balance award (end-user)—Sarah Mears, MUFG Investor Services

What is your position within your firm?
Sarah Mears: I am the chief human resources officer at MUFG Investor Services. I’m responsible for creating and implementing the firm’s global HR strategy that supports our business objectives, focusing on areas that include talent management, recruiting/retention, employee physical and mental well-being, career and leadership development, diversity, and fostering a culture that supports professional and personal growth.

How long have you worked in the financial services industry?
Mears: I joined MUFG Investor Services in 2018, and prior to that I served in a variety of senior HR roles at Mastercard, Barclaycard, Unilever, and other firms.

How did you get into the industry? Was it a conscious decision or did you “fall” into it?
Mears: It was a conscious decision. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to opportunities where I can learn and have an opportunity to make a difference. After meeting with the CEO at the time, I decided to join MUFG Investor Services to help create something special—a strong, people-focused culture that sets high performance standards, but also emphasizes inclusion, diversity, employee wellness, and respect for individuals. Our employee value proposition, “Brilliantly Different,” reflects that philosophy, and I believe we’ve built a firm where everyone feels secure in bringing their whole selves to work every day. We believe our culture is a key to the firm’s success.

What does your day-to-day role entail?
Mears: Our firm has a client-centric service model, and my role focuses on ensuring that our colleagues have the resources they need to thrive, and that we’re executing our HR strategy, programs, and systems to deliver the best possible client experience. On any given day, that could mean meeting with the CEO talking through challenges, people solutions, leadership and business strategies, all while maintaining our focus on our strong partnership with our clients. 

What single project/piece of work are you most proud of during your career in the industry to date?
Mears: In 2019, we established our DEIB pillars—gender, LGBTQ+, and mental health and wellness, with additional focus on disability and ethnicity—and I’m very proud of all the work we’ve accomplished since then. Our focus on mental health and wellness is very important. It integrates initiatives that include senior leader mental health coaching, providing mental health first aid to our employees and employee well-being initiatives. We host forums with open conversations around mental health, which strengthens our culture and business performance.

I’ve learned that culture is everything and that success isn’t just about business strategy—it’s about the people who bring that strategy to life

What are you currently working on and what makes it significant in the context of your position?
Mears: The alternatives industry is evolving rapidly, and we’re continually refining and implementing new initiatives to hire top talent globally, enhance retention and career growth, and improve engagement. Having an empowered, resilient workforce directly contributes to long-term business success. At the same time, we’re expanding our approach to wellness by enhancing mental health awareness, leadership coaching, and workplace flexibility within our culture.

To what extent were you helped during your career by a mentor/role model within the business?
Mears: I’ve been fortunate to learn from mentors and leaders who emphasized empathy, inclusion, and innovation in business. Their guidance has shaped my leadership philosophy, which blends delivering strong support for our business with prioritizing employee well-being, diversity, and professional growth. I’m committed to paying that forward by championing future leaders to ensure they have the opportunities and support to succeed.

To what extent does your firm have a formalized framework that seeks to identify and promote talented women and ensure they have every opportunity to realize their ambitions and contribute to the business?
Mears: We’ve implemented training and tools to create a more balanced pipeline of candidates, and we hold business leaders responsible for creating more diverse teams. We’ve introduced “Catalyst,” our mentoring program for emerging female leaders, and our “Empowering Voices” program helps women build personal and professional confidence, self-advocate, and create a support network with other women in a psychologically safe setting. 

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome during your career in the industry to date?
Mears: Professionally, the Covid-19 pandemic was an extraordinary challenge that touched every aspect of our business and people—remote work, hiring/retention, new processes for serving clients, and keeping our colleagues physically safe and mentally well. It’s been five years and we’re still addressing work–life balance and wellness as essential business priorities. Personally, advocating for a more people-centric approach—where mental health and flexibility are embedded into corporate culture—required persistence, but it’s been incredibly rewarding.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far during your career?
Mears: I’ve learned that culture is everything and that success isn’t just about business strategy—it’s about the people who bring that strategy to life. When employees feel supported, respected, and empowered, they perform at their best, drive innovation, and create lasting success. Investing in well-being, professional growth, and inclusion isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a competitive advantage.

What would you advise women just entering the industry?
Mears: Be bold, seek mentorship, and advocate for yourself. The financial services industry is changing, and there’s never been a better time for women to make an impact. Surround yourself with supportive peers and find mentors who champion your growth. You are responsible for your career, so speak up, accept challenges, learn from failures, (you will have some) and don’t be afraid to own your success. Remember, your well-being is just as important as your career.

What does this award mean to you?
Mears: This award is an incredible honor but more important, it reflects the growing industry recognition of workplace well-being as a business priority. I’m proud to be part of a movement that normalizes mental health conversations, champions flexibility, and puts employees at the center of business success. It reaffirms my commitment to continuing this work and inspiring more organizations to create cultures where employees can truly thrive.