Why Aren’t More Women in Finance? And What Needs to Change

It’s one of the most overlooked questions in the industry: Why are women in finance still underrepresented in finance? In this episode of the Priceless Today Podcast, I sat down with Lindsay Hans, a woman in finance leading 25,000 people in the financial world, to unpack exactly that. What unfolded was a raw, honest conversation about career ceilings, impostor syndrome, economic power, and the freedom that comes from trusting yourself before you feel “ready.”

Here’s what you need to know from that conversation, and why this isn’t just about finance. It’s about rewriting the rules for how women lead, earn, and live in today’s evolving financial landscape.

We Need to Rethink the Way We Talk About Careers in Finance

Ask most women to name someone they know personally who works as a financial advisor, and many come up blank. That’s not because we’re not capable. It’s because we’re not being invited into the conversation.

Finance has been gatekept for decades. When most people picture someone in wealth management, they don’t picture a woman in her 20s or 30s. They picture a guy in a suit at a bank, talking stocks. The problem? That picture’s outdated.

Finance isn’t about stock picks and spreadsheets. It’s about helping people build lives they love. It’s about advising, leading, listening, and creating financial systems that unlock freedom. When women realize that, they stop saying “that’s not for me” and start seeing it as a career that serves their strengths.

The financial services women who are thriving today understand this shift. They’re not just managing portfolios; they’re building relationships, creating trust, and helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with empathy and expertise.

Trust Yourself. Then Trust the Process.

A core theme from the episode was learning how to say “yes” to opportunities, especially when you don’t feel ready.

The truth is, you’ll never feel 100% qualified for your next level. You won’t feel “ready.” But the people who grow the fastest? They don’t wait for permission. They decide to trust themselves before they feel perfect, and they trust the process to fill in the gaps.

Here’s the two-part framework that changes everything:

1. Do I trust myself?

Not “do I know everything?” but if I go all in, can I figure it out? Will I work, ask, research, and grow into this role?

2. Do I trust the process?

Is this an environment that rewards growth, supports feedback, and doesn’t expect perfection on Day 1?

If the answer to both is yes, the move is simple: say yes before you feel ready.

This mindset is particularly crucial for women entering digital finance, where technology and traditional financial principles intersect. The landscape changes rapidly, and adaptability matters more than perfection.

Risk Isn’t the Problem. The Way We Define It Is.

So many women shy away from finance because they associate it with risk. But what if we’re thinking about risk all wrong?

Risk isn’t just volatility or unpredictability. Sometimes, not choosing to invest is the risk. Sometimes, staying silent is the risk. Sometimes, avoiding the opportunity is what costs you the most.

This episode reframes risk as a strategy: something you can measure, manage, and use to grow. Because the real danger isn’t making the wrong move, it’s making no move and staying stuck where you are.

Understanding risk management is fundamental to success in finance. It’s not about avoiding risk entirely; it’s about taking calculated risks that align with your goals and values. This perspective shift is essential for women who want to build wealth and create financial security.

Coachability Is a Superpower

You don’t need to be perfect. But you do need to be coachable.

Being coachable means asking for feedback, listening more than you speak, and being open to growth. It’s not weakness; it’s what makes you unstoppable. The most successful people aren’t the ones who know everything. They’re the ones who keep learning.

In fact, coachability is one of the most undervalued career skills. Especially in environments where women may feel underestimated or overlooked, being able to absorb, apply, and adapt is what turns doubt into results.

The most powerful women in finance didn’t reach their positions by knowing everything from day one. They got there by remaining curious, asking questions, and continuously developing their skills. They understood that expertise comes from experience, not just education.

Financial Empowerment Creates Career Freedom

You want to take risks. You want to say yes to the job you actually want. You want to leave the one that’s draining you. But without financial empowerment, that freedom isn’t real; it’s a dream.

This episode is a reminder that money isn’t just about wealth. It’s about options. When your money works for you, you don’t have to say yes to clients, bosses, or projects that drain you. You have a cushion. A system. A plan.

Building financial independence starts with understanding how money works. It means learning to invest wisely, creating multiple income streams, and developing systems that generate passive income. The goal? Not just income. Autonomy.

Financial empowerment also means understanding the broader financial ecosystem. Whether you work at a traditional bank or in emerging digital finance platforms, knowing how money flows and grows gives you leverage in your career and personal life.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Ambition and Family

One of the most harmful lies women are told is that they can’t have both: a big career and a meaningful family life.

That’s false.

You don’t have to pick. You do have to plan. You do have to build systems, ask for help, and say no to the right things, but you don’t have to sacrifice one part of yourself to be great at another.

You can be the CEO of your career and your home. You can close a deal and show up at the soccer game. You can lead thousands and still be present at dinner. It’s not easy, but it is possible.

Many successful women in finance have proven this balance is achievable. They’ve built careers that work around their values, not against them. They’ve created boundaries that protect their time and energy while still achieving professional excellence.

Women Are Built for This Work

Here’s something the industry rarely says out loud: women are exceptional at finance. Not just capable; built for it.

Why? Because trust is everything in this field. And women build trust fast. We listen deeper. We ask smarter questions. We lead with empathy and strategy. That’s not soft; that’s smart.

Clients want advisors who make them feel seen, heard, and understood. Women do that naturally. Add in credentials, education, and experience, and it’s game over.

The financial services women who are thriving understand that their natural strengths are business advantages. They’re not trying to fit into an outdated mold; they’re reshaping the industry to reflect their values and approaches.

You Don’t Need a 10-Year Plan. You Need a 10-Second Decision.

Stop waiting to feel ready. Stop waiting for someone to tell you you’re qualified. Stop waiting for a roadmap that makes you feel safe enough to start.

Say yes. Then figure it out.

This episode is a blueprint for choosing yourself, trusting your skill set, and redefining what success looks and feels like. Whether you’re in finance, marketing, tech, or starting something from scratch, the advice is the same:

Don’t grip your timeline so tight you forget to live it.

The most powerful women in finance didn’t wait for permission. They created opportunities. They took calculated risks. They invested in themselves before anyone else believed in them.

Rich Sis Takeaways

If you’re a woman navigating your career, building your net worth, or figuring out what’s next, here’s what to remember:

Start investing now.

You don’t need thousands. You need a system. Whether you’re working with a traditional bank or exploring digital finance platforms, the key is to start.

Trust yourself before you feel ready

Growth comes after the “yes.”

Ask for help

Mentors, therapists, teammates: this isn’t a solo mission.

Say no without guilt

Burnout is not a badge of honor.

Lead your money like a CEO

Every dollar in your system should have a job.

Understand that a woman in finance can redefine the industry

Your perspective, approach, and values aren’t obstacles; they’re advantages.

This conversation wasn’t just about finance. It was about freedom. And freedom starts with one decision: to bet on yourself.

The financial industry needs more women. Not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the smart thing to do. When women bring their full selves to work in finance, everyone benefits. Clients get better service. Companies get better results. Women can achieve the financial freedom they deserve.

The question isn’t whether you’re ready. The question is whether you’re willing to start.