How Business School Can Empower Women In Finance

With women holding only 12% of senior roles in financial services, the finance industry can feel like an intimidating space for ambitious business school graduates. It's clear that, like many other business sectors, it lacks gender diversity. 

Without women making key financial decisions or influencing capital funding, products and services risk failing to represent the wants and needs of half the world’s population. 

In fact, companies with more diverse teams don’t just foster inclusivity—they also perform better financially, proving that diversity is a drive of business success.

Removing barriers to entry

Business schools can help women break into finance by providing mentorship, professional networking, and hands-on experience, especially for those who may lack industry connections.

Louise Cooper is a former Goldman Sachs stockbroker and now a senior lecturer in finance at Kingston Business School in the UK.

Louse has designed several programs to help female students into the finance industry, such as organising tours of the City of London where students visit various firms, including investment banks, M&A advisory firms, trading floors, and equity research boutiques.

At each location, students are invited to provide a short presentation about the firm and its role in the finance ecosystem.

“For many who do not have a family background in finance, getting the first break in can be really difficult and so I also have arranged for female students to have work experience in two asset management firms,” she says.

The role of leadership in inclusion

Strong leadership can lead to inclusivity while providing women with the tools, mentorship, and support they need to build a career in finance.

Wincel Kaufmann is the former Global Sustainable Investing leader at BlackRock, and an Executive MBA (EMBA) graduate from INSEAD.

She founded blueColab—a platform that shares knowledge, strategies, and practical tools to help others transition into impactful careers, including sustainability.

She believes that strong leadership is crucial in creating an inclusive environment that empowers women and aspiring female leaders.

Business schools such as ESCP and HEC Paris offer courses in topics such as Diverse Leadership, helping women from underrepresented backgrounds feel ready to become senior leaders after graduating.

Referencing a positive experience she had with a senior executive while working at a large investment management company, Wincel says the experience has shaped how she manages and mentors others.

“With younger team members, I always ask if they are happy and what they need to thrive in their work. A great manager isn’t just focused on numbers; they empower their teams to achieve their full potential and grow.

“This lesson has been key to my leadership journey, reinforcing the importance of creating an environment where every individual feels valued and equipped to succeed.”

Strong leadership is key but wider organisations and companies also need to take responsibility for creating an equitable environment that supports women in finance.

Wincel says that flexibility at work is just as important, with the need for firms to offer remote work options, parental leave, and flexible hours to support work-life balance, which is key to retaining diverse talent.

“But it’s not just about policies; it’s about changing mindsets, too. We need to normalize men taking time off for caregiving and sharing household responsibilities equally.

“When this becomes the norm, it eases the pressure on women and creates a culture where everyone has an equal chance to lead.”

How MBA programs can provide inspiring female role models

Some of the main ways business schools can support women are through offering mentorship, leadership programs targeted at supporting underrepresented groups, and business school networks for women.

London Business School, for instance, has run the annual EQUALL conference for 25 years. Influential speakers from across the business sphere are invited to speak with attendees on topics such as building an inclusive workforce and improving equity in venture capital.

The 2025 event featured a keynote from Baroness Dambisa Moyo, author of Dead Aid, in which she traced her humble beginnings in Zambia, to winning a Harvard scholarship, and becoming an influential global economist. She is now a member of the House of Lords, serving as an important role model for women.

Porto Business School is another example of an institution that offers mentorship programs with role models from diverse sectors, alongside networking and mentorship programs.

Ana Côrte-Real, head of faculty and Executive MBA and MBA program director at Porto, believes that the value of female leadership is undeniable, which is why business schools must nurture and foster female talent.

Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB International, agrees that business school can play a significant role in helping women become the strongest candidates for leadership roles they can be.

“Ultimately, equipping women with the right skills, networks, and education empowers them to break through and advance in the finance industry,” she concludes.