Awards and networking gatherings run by this publication, held in Zurich and close to International Women’s Day, demonstrated how women are rising to the top in the world’s financial services industry. They also showed what still needs to be done.

The evolving role of women in finance is a major theme for WealthBriefing, as demonstrated by prestigious events we have hosted in Switzerland in recent days. And our coverage of how women are pushing forward in wealth management is shown by a rich collection of commentaries and reports (see examples here, and here) that we have published to coincide with International Women’s Day. 

Senior women from across Swiss wealth management gathered at UMA Wealth’s offices overlooking Zurich Lake for a networking event linked to International Women’s Day. Co-hosted by Rachel Fokes, director of awards at WealthBriefing, and Geralda Kral, managing director and group partner at UMA Wealth, the gathering (see below) on Friday 7 March, was the ideal environment to celebrate progress, foster connections, and reflect on the evolving role of women in finance. (See this link for more details.)

The event followed the WealthBriefing External Asset Manager Awards ceremony, (where this news service recognized female success in a separate category), one of the most anticipated events in the Swiss wealth management calendar. Held at the Park Hyatt hotel in Zurich, the awards showcased the best of innovation and excellence in the wealth management sector. 

International Women’s Day originates from the labor movement in the early 20th century. It was first proposed in 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a German socialist and women’s rights advocate, at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. Zetkin’s vision was to create an annual day to advocate for women’s rights, including suffrage and better working conditions. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million people taking part. In 1975, it was marked for the first time by the United Nations. Today, it is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality.

“WealthBriefing’s commitment to gender equality and empowerment aligns seamlessly with the values of International Women’s Day,” Stephen Harris, CEO of ClearView Financial Media, the publisher of WealthBriefing, said. “This is reflected in its initiatives, including the Wealth for Good program, which celebrates female success in wealth management. Additionally, the organization honors outstanding women across its global awards programs, shining a spotlight on the achievements of women who are driving innovation and excellence within the industry.”

Geralda Kral shared a poignant reflection: “For decades, women in finance were expected to blend in – to conform to outdated norms if they wanted to succeed. But times have changed. Leadership today isn’t about how well you fit into a mold; it’s about the impact you make.” 

Networking power
The informal format of the networking event encouraged participants to share their experiences, aspirations, and strategies for success. Among the attendees were Carmen Kiavila of Kiavila Avocats, Vanessa Neil, Geneva Chapter chair of the British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Karin Morgade, director and relationship manager EAM International at Vontobel, Darlene Hart, founder and CEO of USTAXFS Sarl, and Nadia Bargetzi, deputy head of Wealth Management at Banque Internationale Ă  Luxembourg (Suisse) SA. 

Rachel Fokes highlighted the value of such initiatives. “Bringing talented women together fosters collaboration and strengthens the networks that will drive our industry forward,” she said. “International Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress we’ve made and a call to keep pushing for greater inclusion.”

This publication plans more meetings aimed at strengthening female connections in the wealth management world. These initiatives underscore the organization's vision of fostering a diverse, inclusive industry and ensuring that women in finance can thrive both personally and professionally.

“At WealthBriefing, we are deeply committed to shining a spotlight on the unique work of women at all levels in wealth management. I am exceptionally proud of all the talented women within our own organization who give it its special character. Their contributions and perspectives are integral to our success and to the industry’s future,” Harris said. 

As the wealth management sector adapts to a changing world, such gatherings demonstrate the power of collaboration and authenticity. They’re a reminder that fostering diversity isn’t just good ethics – it’s smart business. 

Left to Right: Rachel Fokes, director of awards at WealthBriefing, and Geralda Kral, managing director and group partner at UMA Wealth.