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Then: Dean Witter Reynolds senior vice president & branch manager
Now: Morgan Stanley senior vice president & complex manager
Age: 62
Dean Witter is gone—it morphed into Morgan Stanley—but Kathy Birk remains, “doing the same functions but with a bigger scope of responsibility.” Back then, Birk oversaw two Indianapolis offices; now she’s responsible for 10 offices covering Indiana and part of Illinois, 200 brokers “and a lot more challenges than the old job.”
Twenty-five years ago, Birk was among the few women in financial management. She’s seen that change, somewhat. “More women have shown an interest in management. We’re still a small percentage, and I’m not sure I can account for that, but there is a growing percentage of women in leadership.”
As for being in Forty Under 40 in 1993, the Indianapolis native said that was “an honor” and “a total surprise.” “It was great to get that hometown recognition. I’m really proud to be part of the group.”
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