What It’s Really Like for Women in Finance | Bullish

Industry Trends & Challenges - The finance industry is seeing a growing number of powerful women managing vast amounts of capital, indicating a shift in the traditionally male-dominated field [1][2] - The industry average for women on finance teams is lower than Guggenheim's 30%, highlighting a need for further progress towards gender parity [6] - There's a perception that "greed is good," as portrayed in media like "Wolf of Wall Street," which may deter women and young people seeking purposeful careers from entering the finance industry [5] - DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives are facing pushback, potentially slowing down the momentum of increasing diversity among fund managers and founders [23][25] - Some individuals still hold biases, such as the belief that "chicks can't do math," revealing persistent stereotypes in the finance sector [31] Women's Impact & Opportunities - Women control approximately 80% of global discretionary spending, demonstrating their significant economic influence [13] - Women are projected to control over 50% of the global wealth market in the next five years, indicating a major shift in financial power [13] - Women-led firms controlled only 0.7% of assets in alternative investments as of 2021, revealing a significant disparity in asset control [14] - Companies with more gender diversity on executive teams are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability, underscoring the business case for inclusion and diversity [47] - Women are finding success in less institutionalized areas like music, media, and entertainment, building businesses in less trafficked sectors [30] Leadership & Progress - As of the report's timeline, Jane Fraser is the only woman to lead a major US bank, highlighting the ongoing underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions [38] - Citigroup moves $5 trillion a day, exceeding the GDP of France, showcasing the scale of responsibility held by its CEO [41] - The trading floor environment is more positive and diverse compared to the 1980s, indicating cultural transformations within financial institutions [48] - Progress for women in finance is not always linear, and there's a responsibility to continue advocating for change for future generations [34][50]