Trailblazing Finance Industry Leader Suzanne Shank Honored by Pistons for Black History Month

NEW YORK - Feb. 12, 2020 - PRLog -- One of the most prominent African-American women in the finance industry, Detroit-based Suzanne Shank, was honored on the court at Little Caesar's Arena during the team's Black History Month celebration.

Ms. Shank co-founded the nation's No. 1 woman and minority owned investment bank, Siebert Williams Shank (SWS), and is based in Downtown Detroit. The firm, which she leads as President and CEO, helped finance the construction of Little Caesar's by raising capital through bond sales.

The ceremony was held Feb. 8 during halftime of a game against the New York Knicks. A video tribute was played celebrating Ms. Shank's career achievements and she was honored along with Pistons legend and Community Ambassador Earl Cureton.

Ms. Shank co-founded her firm in 1996 along with Muriel Siebert, the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. Late last year she led a merger with Williams Capital to create the top woman and minority firm in both corporate and municipal bonds, bringing together two powerhouses in their respective fields.

SWS was the first minority- and woman-owned investment banking firm to lead a bond transaction over $1 billion in par amount.

Ms. Shank is active in various industry and civic organizations and serves on several boards, including Pensare Acquisition Corp., CMS Energy, the Skillman Foundation, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Regional Chamber (Executive Committee), the Bipartisan Policy Center Executive Council on Infrastructure, among others.

She also serves on the SEC's Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee.

She was named a Crain's Detroit Newsmaker for 2019.

Throughout the month of February, the Pistons are holding events designed to honor the contributions of African-Americans to Detroit and the nation and to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Other honorees included Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Martha Reeves, singer and former Detroit City Council Member; and, posthumously, John Conyers Jr., former United State Representative.