Sevi Koppe reflects on the story of Queer career woman Carol O'Keefe, a recent guest speaker at our Queer Women in Business event.
In today's fast-paced corporate world, resilience is often framed as the ability to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity. Yet for many queer women, especially those navigating intersecting identities, resilience has a far more nuanced definition. This was the central theme at the launch of our meetup series for Queer Women in Business in London, where guest speaker Carol O'Keefe—an experienced banking professional and LGBTQ+ advocate—shared her journey, offering her refreshing take on the meaning of success, balancing self-care, and finding one’s place in the challenging corporate landscape.
Redefining resilience.
For Carol, resilience is not just about enduring hardship. It is about cultivating a mindset that embraces both personal well-being and professional ambition. Having spent 25 years in the banking industry, with 17 years at JPMorgan, Carol’s experience is a testament to the resilience required not just to survive, but to thrive as a queer woman in a male-dominated industry. When asked what resilience means to her, Carol’s response was striking:
“Resilience, to me, is more than bouncing back from challenges. It’s about knowing when to step back, knowing when to prioritise your well-being, and understanding that success doesn’t always mean climbing the corporate ladder."- Carol O'Keefe
Carol’s identity as a bisexual, autistic immigrant from Ireland has shaped this perspective. Like many queer women, she has faced the added pressure of proving herself in environments where she often felt she didn’t fully belong.
"As a queer woman and an immigrant, I have often felt the need to work twice as hard to be seen as enough. But over time, I realised that resilience also means knowing when to say ‘no,’ when to focus on myself, and when to choose happiness over societal expectations." - Carol O'Keefe
Navigating Intersectionality.
"I’ve always had to navigate the complexities of being an outsider in multiple ways. As an autistic woman, I’ve often been misunderstood. As a bisexual woman, there’s sometimes been a lack of acceptance, even within the LGBTQ+ community. And as an immigrant, I’ve had to prove my worth in ways that others don’t always have to." - Carol O'Keefe
Carol's story reflects the experiences of many queer women who must navigate the weight of their intersectional identities—whether it's race, disability, gender, or sexual orientation—in an industry that isn't always welcoming. For her, the key to balancing this pressure with self-care lies in recognizing the importance of diversity. "Diversity of thought and experience is invaluable to any business," Carol said. "I bring something unique to the table, and I’ve learned to see that as a strength, rather than a burden."
The Power of Lateral Moves
When we redefine what success can look like, we open the door to more fulfilling and sustainable ways of working.
"Success isn’t always about moving up the ladder, sometimes, it’s about moving laterally, finding roles that align with your passions, and staying in positions where you can make a real impact without sacrificing your well-being. People are often surprised when you choose not to pursue higher-level roles, but for me, staying in a role I love, where I can indulge my passion for data, is more fulfilling than constantly chasing promotions." - Carol O'Keefe
Self-care is often framed as a practice that is totally separate from one’s professional life, but for Carol, it has been an integral shaping force in her career decisions. One of the most impactful moments in her career came when she chose self-care over advancement. After years of working long hours, managing offshore teams, and advocating for fair pay, she realised she needed to step back and reevaluate her priorities. "I wanted to find a team where I could still contribute meaningfully, but without the emotional and physical toll that came with leadership positions. It was a decision rooted in self-care, and it’s one of the best I’ve made."
This decision came about after a long process of self-reflection and lifestyle changes: "For a long time, I was overworking, trying to prove myself in ways that were unsustainable, but about three years ago, I started seeing a therapist and practising yoga. It helped me understand that my value isn’t tied to how hard I work or how much I achieve professionally." Carol believes that the industry needs to adjust to this new way of thinking, as more and more professionals reject traditional notions of success in favour of better aligning with their own goals.
"There’s so much value in lateral moves and finding fulfilment in roles that align with your values, rather than constantly pushing for more responsibility." - Carol O'Keefe
Identity, Belonging, and Career Challenges
As an immigrant from Ireland, Carol has spent the majority of her career in the UK, and despite her professional success, she still grapples with questions of belonging. "Even though I’ve lived in the UK for nearly 30 years, when I talk about home, I still think of Ireland," she said. "But I’ve also learned that belonging doesn’t have to be tied to a physical place—it can be about finding your community, wherever you are."
For queer women, that sense of community can be hard to find in traditional corporate environments. But Carol’s involvement in JPMorgan’s PRIDE Business Resource Group (BRG) helped her create a space where she could bring her whole self to work.
"I started out as an ally because I wasn’t sure if being bi was enough to be part of the LGBTQ+ community at work, but over time, I became co-chair of the PRIDE EMEA network, and I realised that my identity as a bisexual woman is valid, and I deserve to take up space." - Carol O'Keefe
Conclusion
As Carol’s journey demonstrates, resilience for queer women in business is about more than just overcoming adversity—it’s about knowing when to prioritise yourself, when to push back against traditional definitions of success, and when to stand up for change. "Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting," Carol quoted, reflecting on her favourite motto. "Somebody has to speak when others are quiet." For queer women navigating the complexities of career and self-care, Carol’s message is clear: success is personal, resilience is multifaceted, and sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is choose yourself.
Carol O'Keefe (she/her)
Carol is a seasoned banking professional with 25 years of experience, including 17 years at JP Morgan. Currently, she serves as Control Manager in the Chief Data Office for Corporate Finance, TCIO, and ASI, where she channels her passion for data and continuous learning. Actively involved in JP Morgan’s PRIDE Business Resource Group, she served as EMEA Co-Chair and co-founded Women in Risk and Control, advancing inclusion across the industry. Her journey as a bi, immigrant, neurodiverse woman reflects her commitment to championing equality and inspiring future generations in banking.
Sevi Koppe (she/her)
Sevi Koppe is Community Director at We Create Space, as well as an international creative director and producer. She's worked for films and music festivals around the world, as a creative director, booking agent and a production manager. Her vision is queer and she's been curating international events since 2000 to promote LGBTQ+ visibility to mainstream audiences. Sevi works with venues around the world to coordinate exclusive events. Sevi studied queer media and spaces in Japan to understand what support is offered to minors inside and outside of the formal education system.
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