Female PMs?
Are in my experience few and far between. Is there just that much natural attrition in the business?
Feels like it's rare to see >35yo women in investment roles. As a (so far) strong performing woman I do occasionally worry if my upside is capped.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, the rarity of female portfolio managers (PMs) and senior women in investment roles can be attributed to several factors:
Attrition Due to Family Responsibilities: Many women in finance face challenges balancing demanding careers with family responsibilities. As highlighted in WSO threads, women often take career pauses to start families, which can set them back during critical career stages. This break can impact their ability to maintain client relationships, mentorships, and firm politics—key factors for promotions.
Lack of Role Models and Representation: The absence of visible female role models in senior investment roles can discourage women from pursuing long-term careers in the field. This creates a cycle where fewer women rise to senior positions, perpetuating the imbalance.
Workplace Culture: The finance industry has historically been male-dominated, with networking and deal-making often occurring in environments that may feel exclusionary to women. This can make it harder for women to build the relationships necessary for career advancement.
Diversity Efforts and Progress: While firms are increasingly focused on diversity, the benefits of these efforts take time to materialize. As noted in WSO discussions, achieving meaningful representation at senior levels requires a large pipeline of diverse talent, which is still developing.
For a strong-performing woman like yourself, your upside is not inherently capped. However, navigating these challenges may require strategic planning: - Seek Mentorship: Find mentors or sponsors who can advocate for your growth and help you navigate firm politics. - Leverage Diversity Initiatives: Many firms now have programs aimed at supporting women in finance. Take advantage of these opportunities. - Build a Strong Network: Cultivate relationships both within and outside your firm to ensure you have a robust support system. - Focus on Long-Term Value: Continue to deliver strong performance and demonstrate your ability to drive results, which is ultimately what firms value most.
Remember, while the path may have its challenges, many women have successfully broken through these barriers, and the industry is slowly evolving to support more diverse leadership. Keep pushing forward!
Sources: Females in IB, Why don't more women go into PE?, To all the women in banking, Why are there no women at Apollo?, WOMEN IN PE - Easier recruiting?
Go look up Joan Payden. Yes, she is n of 1, but if you’re good you will always be able to make it.
She used her good looks
Cathie wood
dawn
Dawn is such a baddie
Kelly Granat, Mala Gaonkar, Mary Meeker, Nancy Zimmerman.
By 35 most women figure out that being a mother and having a great family is more rewarding than scraping out profits in the markets.
Why this statement cannot apply to men? Are you saying that most male investors cannot be a father and having a great family?
Ngmi
Where in India do you live?
Jean Horenstein, Christa Short
forgot the legend JG
Adam Brooks also qualifies
Ah yes ofc, JH is the goat. Rumor is she is going to be the next CIO.
Christa is a good investor? Mediocre PM made judgmental gatekeeper BD head
Leda Braga
Mala Gaonkar is a beast. One of the most impressive PMs I've ever met.
Nancy Pelosi
Mala gaonkar and Divya Nettimi (lone pine and viking spinoffs respectively so good backgrounds) and great returns
bro is just trying to build a milf list
Something I have noticed, aside from the obvious not so good looking outliers aside, a lot of these women were and still are very attractive. Pretty privilege? Are the pretty ones successful despite being pretty or because they are pretty? This privilege also applies to men, and there are myriad examples within corporations, but idk, very amusing observation.
Likely some correlation between the dedication needed to break in and succeed in a public investing career and the willingness / dedication to stay in shape / look attractive, but amplified by what you're saying around gender differences. Either way you don't succeed in public market investing without strong performance / track record, ugly or pretty
yeh compared to say IB where at MD level it’s basically a sales job and thus being good looking is a material advantage
Surgocap, Avala are strong indicators that your upside is in no way capped
Taylor Mason. She/her.
Jessie Reinherz at Surveyor
Jessie Reinherz at Surveyor
Gwen Tilghman
Harper Stern
I attended Viking's Public Equity Internship Webinar last November. It was for MBA summer interns, but anyone could participate. PM Sara Carter and an Analyst did the majority of the speaking. She is the only female PM at Viking's public team,
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