Press Release
GIRLS WHO INVEST SURPASSES IMPRESSIVE MILESTONE AND CELEBRATES THEIR BIGGEST YEAR YET
The Non-Profit Has Now Taught More than 1,400 Women Since Its 2016 Inception
With Their Eyes on 2022, Girls Who Invest is “Changing the Face of Investing”
NEW YORK, October 19, 2021 – Girls Who Invest (GWI), a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the investment management industry by attracting and advancing women investors, changemakers and leaders, today announced that they’ve taught more than 1,000 students since their inaugural class in 2016, bringing the total number of alumni to over 1,400 – and counting. This important achievement comes amidst their busiest and most exciting year yet, supported by several key partnerships, milestones, and announcements.
Girls Who Invest was founded in 2015 by Seema R. Hingorani with a vision of having 30% of the world’s investable assets managed by women by 2030. Through both their flagship Summer Intensive Program (SIP) and successful Online Intensive Program (OIP), Girls Who Invest has been instrumental in driving tangible and meaningful results within finance, with more than 75% of their SIP scholars now working within the industry.
“While the industry still has work to be done, it’s clear that diversity and inclusion are a key business imperative to investment management firms. We’re proud to play a role in educating the marketplace on the importance and benefits of a diverse workforce and are encouraged by our partner firms’ commitment and the momentum we’re seeing,” said Katherine Jollon Colsher, President and CEO of Girls Who Invest. “2021 has been one of the most professionally and personally rewarding years in my life, and I’m grateful to work with such a fantastic team of inspiring individuals.”
Added Ms. Hingorani, “Since launching Girls Who Invest six years ago, I have been overwhelmed with how much we have positively impacted the investment management industry and the lives of so many young women in such a short period of time. Over 1,000 college women have completed our programs successfully and this is a testament to all of the hard work from our team and academic and investment firm partners. I’m incredibly excited about the tremendous opportunities ahead of us to inspire and prepare even more young women to go on to become leading investors of the future.”
Key 2021 Girls Who Invest Moments Include:
“Changing the Face of Investing”:
Largest Class Ever: More than 530 women completed the programs this year, as compared to GWI’s very first class of 29 scholars in 2016
Enhanced Diversity: GWI pledged to have at least 25% of their Summer Intensive Program scholars come from historically underrepresented communities by 2025
Tremendous Support:
Strengthened existing partnerships with over 100 leading investment management firms and continued to develop relationships beyond the commitment of industry firms
Received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support GWI’s recruiting efforts, with a particular focus on reaching underrepresented populations
Partnered with The Investment Company Institute Education Foundation to help grow the Online Intensive Program
Recognition of Pioneering Work:
Ms. Hingorani received the Chevalier of the National Order of the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest order of merit for military and civilians
Ms. Hingorani was featured by Barron’s in their list of 100 Most Influential Women in Finance
A Growing Team:
GWI added several key executives to their team over the last year:
Katherine Jollon Colsher completed her first year as CEO after joining from Goldman Sachs in late 2020
Michelle DeFossett joined as Chief Operating Officer in May
Christina Kim joined as Head of Partnerships in April
Heather Perceval joined as Head of Programs in June
“GWI has shown me an invaluable community of strong womxn, great leaders, and amazing friends," said Adalix Siri, 2018 alum and former Alumni Council Co-President. "There are many rewarding things about being part of the GWI community, specifically the knowledge of all facets of investments and the confidence to channel that intellectual curiosity into any and all things that we do," added Keana Bloomfield, 2016 alum and current Advisory Board Representative.
About Girls Who Invest
Girls Who Invest is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing gender diversity and inclusion in investment management with a focus on growing the pipeline of women in frontline investing positions. They accomplish this through education, mentoring, internships, and a supportive community. The organization’s flagship summer program enables college students to explore investment management careers through four weeks of free educational training with top university professors followed by a six-week paid internship at one of more than 100 leading investment management firms in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Scholars can also apply for Girls Who Invest’s fully subsidized, self-directed Online Intensive Program.
In addition, all scholars receive support and career guidance from a community of partners, mentors, and alumni. Girls Who Invest’s vision is for 30% of the world’s investable capital to be managed by women by 2030. For more information, visit www.girlswhoinvest.org.
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