Where Are the Fearless Girls? On the (Missing) Women in the Asset Management Industry

In this article, we explore the persistent gender imbalance in asset management, analyzing why women remain underrepresented despite various diversity initiatives. This disparity arises from deep-rooted cultural biases, stereotypes, and institutional structures that discourage women from entering and advancing in finance. Historical gender stereotypes frame finance as a masculine field, reinforced by media and workplace norms that deter female participation. Women encounter additional obstacles, including limited leadership opportunities and self-perception gaps, compounded by customer biases that favor male fund managers. These factors create a self-perpetuating cycle in which finance appears unwelcoming to women. We propose solutions such as fostering inclusive work environments, providing family-friendly policies, promoting women to leadership roles, and educating customers about biases. By encouraging allyship and shifting industry values, we aim to make finance a more viable and attractive career path for women. Increased female representation, we argue, could unlock new levels of innovation and leadership within the finance sector.