Women Are Redefining Wealth, And The Future Of Investing

Forbes

a day ago

A quiet revolution is underway. As trillions of dollars prepare to change hands in what economists are calling the 'Great Wealth Transfer,' women are poised to inherit and control the majority of that wealth. But this isn't just a financial milestone, it's a cultural reset. Women investors are not only shaping the future of finance; they're reshaping the future of impact.
The $84 Trillion Shift, and Who Benefits
Investing in what's next
Over the next two decades, an estimated $84 trillion will be passed from baby boomers to younger generations. Women who live longer are increasingly the primary breadwinners, and often inherit from spouses and parents, and are expected to control two-thirds of that wealth by 2030, totaling more than $30 trillion in U.S. assets alone.
But let's be clear: not all women will benefit equally. Women of color, particularly Black and Latina women, continue to face systemic barriers to wealth accumulation. According to the National Women's Law Center, for every dollar of wealth held by white men, Black women own only 8 cents and Latinas only 14 cents. The Federal Reserve reports the median wealth gap between Black and white households exceeds $220,000, and is growing.
We cannot talk about women's wealth without addressing this inequity. Closing the gender wealth gap must include a serious commitment to closing the racial wealth gap. Equal opportunity is not just about inheritance, it's about access to capital, financial education, and investment networks.
Women Invest Differently...and Smarter
Research consistently shows that women invest with greater intention and long-term focus. According to a study from Warwick Business School, women's investment portfolios outperformed men's by 1.8% annually. They traded less frequently, were more risk-aware, and prioritized steady, compounding gains.
But it's not just about financial strategy, it's about values.
According to a 2022 Ellevest survey, 95% of women say the financial industry wasn't built with them in mind, and another study shows that 79% want to invest in alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. This is not niche investing, it's the future of smart, sustainable capital allocation.
As Ellevest founder Sallie Krawcheck says, 'Nothing bad happens when women have more money.'
From Powerlessness to Portfolio Power
Historically, the financial industry has underserved women. Wealth management conversations often default to male clients. Retirement planning is built on male lifespans. And women are frequently perceived as risk-averse, when in reality, they are risk-aware.
Yet women now control $10.9 trillion in U.S. assets and that number is accelerating. When women have the confidence and tools to invest, they don't just build wealth for themselves. They create ripple effects across families, communities, and future generations.
Investing Is the New Activism
Women investors are driving a purpose-driven financial movement. From backing women-led startups to funding companies that prioritize sustainability, care infrastructure, and pay equity, women are investing in the world they want to live in.
The rise of gender-lens investing, where capital is directed toward businesses that benefit women and girls has grown into a multi-billion-dollar market. And it's growing fast. As Erika Karp, founder of Cornerstone Capital, put it:
'Women are realizing they can shape the world not just through politics or protest, but through portfolios.'
The Call to Action
To unlock the full potential of women investors, we must:
When women invest, it's not just about individual gain. It's about collective progress. Women influence 85% of consumer spending, represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, and increasingly fund the future of innovation. Yet they receive less than 3% of venture capital funding. That's not just a missed opportunity; it's a call to redesign the system.
The future of finance is intentional, inclusive, and in power.
Because when women invest, we all rise.