In 2024, women represent about 31% of leadership positions in financial institutions. Although subtle, this number represents an increase compared to 2020, when this participation was only 24%, according to a report from the Brazilian Institute of Corporate Governance (IBGC).
There is still much to be done to ensure gender equity in companies, especially in top positions, but this evolution has already shown the positive impact of diversity. According to a survey by the consulting firm McKinsey that examined the effects of inclusion and equity in companies, organizations with women in leadership positions are 20% more likely to achieve above-average profits.
According to Jenni Almeida, founder and CEO of Invest4U, a financial consulting company, women bring a strategic and long-term vision that is essential for business success. “Different perspectives contribute to the development of new strategies and innovations, and female leadership has demonstrated this with different, more collaborative approaches. In the financial sector, for example, this diversity brings an important balance to the market, with more thoughtful decisions and adaptability in crisis scenarios,” she opines.
Gender equity as a factor of success
The growth of female participation in leadership positions is not limited to large corporations. Sebrae data shows that, until last year, women represented 48% of new entrepreneurs in Brazil, an increase of 8% compared to 2020. “We are increasingly occupying spaces that were predominantly male before, and this is generating new opportunities for growth and leadership for us,” affirms the CEO of Invest4U.
Jenni Almeida founded her consultancy with the aim of providing accessible financial education to Brazilian families and, with the franchise model, also encouraging other women like her to expand this legacy. “We need to understand that female inclusion is not only a matter of social justice, but also of strategy. Women have a unique ability to analyze risks, and I dare say that mothers have a keen sense that allows them to identify even more opportunities, making the financial sector much more dynamic and competitive,” she emphasizes.
A bit of Jenni Almeida’s history
In 2017, when Jenni was on maternity leave, the idea of founding a company that was more than a consultancy, that reflected her deepest values and also impacted the future of her daughter emerged. “I looked at Bella and thought: ‘I have to be your best example; 100% of what I do needs to be correct so that you feel proud and have as an example of love, honesty, perseverance, and wisdom,” she recalls.
Throughout her professional journey, she met many great women who, despite having little access to financial strategies, had a tremendous desire to grow. “The financial result must work at the same speed as they do, and that is simple when a planning is presented. Invest4U is not only for great leaders in high positions, but also for those who want to expand their assets with intelligence, love, and honesty, just as I also desired back in the beginning,” defends Jenni.
Challenges and opportunities for women in the financial market
Although progress has been significant, there are still barriers for women wishing to work in the financial market, either as leaders or investors. A study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) revealed that only 25% of high leadership positions in the global financial sector are held by women. According to the report, the lack of mentoring programs and support networks limits women’s progress in the field, perpetuating barriers related to gender biases.
At Invest4U, the personalized approach, which includes training and continuous support, based on family values, aims to support men and women in investing consciously and strategically. “As a woman and entrepreneur, I know how challenging it can be to achieve financial independence and plan a secure future. I firmly believe that financial education is the key to making it happen. Empowering women with this knowledge opens doors to real opportunities for strategic growth,” emphasizes Jenni.
For the CEO, if inclusion programs are properly encouraged and strengthened, the prospects for women in the financial market would be more promising. The positive impact that this inclusion has brought to the sector reinforces the need to continue investing in programs that support the presence of women, both in entrepreneurship and leadership positions. “When women thrive, the economy thrives too. We are just beginning to see the potential of women in the market, and I believe the future holds even more opportunities,” she concludes.
