Key Insights from Her Wealth, Her Power: Financial Empowerment for Women
Our recent panel, Her Wealth, Her Power: Financial Empowerment for Women, brought together four financial pioneers to address systemic barriers in women's wealth-building. Moderated by Castleigh Johnson of My Home Pathway, we explored how the impending $30 trillion wealth transfer to women demands urgent changes across financial systems, tech innovation, and policy frameworks.
The discussion revealed critical insights: Mary Ellen Iskenderian (Women's World Banking) exposed how institutions must evolve to serve women's growing economic power; Sarah Biller (FinTech Sandbox) demonstrated AI's dual potential to reinforce or reduce lending biases; Esosa Ighodaro (Black Women Talk Tech) unpacked funding disparities facing women entrepreneurs; and Meredith Moss (Presidio Investors) delivered tactical wealth-building strategies. Together, they showed how homeownership intersects with broader financial empowerment.
What emerged was both a wake-up call and roadmap: while women face disproportionate hurdles in credit access and capital acquisition, emerging tools and systemic changes are creating new pathways to financial control. This conversation moved beyond basic financial literacy to reveal how women can transform financial systems designed for a different era.
Now the real work begins: these insights demand action from policymakers, financial institutions, and women themselves. Below, we distill the panel's most actionable takeaways: tools to build credit, strategies to access capital, and systemic changes that will redefine financial power for the next generation of women homeowners and entrepreneurs.
Breaking Myths in Finance: Why Women Are the Key to a Stronger Financial Future
Mary Ellen Iskenderian highlighted a critical insight that set the stage for Sara Biller’s discussion on wealth transfer. She pointed out the persistent challenges in how financial policies and services perceive and serve women. Specifically, she emphasized that despite women demonstrating greater financial loyalty in the US women are 60% more likely to remain customers after five years compared to many financial service providers still overlook them as valuable clients. (Source)
Building on this, Mary Ellen challenged two major myths in finance:
The myth that financial policies are gender-neutral. In reality, financial systems have long been structured in ways that disadvantage women.
The myth that women are riskier customers. Contrary to this belief, data shows that women are in fact more reliable, if there’s a loan they demonstrate better repayment rates and profitable long term customers.
She underscored that ignoring women in financial services isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s leaving $700 billion in revenue on the table every year by not serving women at parity.
Key Takeaways:
Awareness & Confidence Gaps
Many women are unaware of financial products available to them, whether mortgages, business loans, or investment opportunities.
Even when products exist, women often lack confidence in using them due to financial jargon or existing exclusionary practices.
The Power of Representation in Finance
Mary Ellen shared compelling data, found in Women’s World Banking’s Asset Management’s latest impact report: Financial institutions with more women in leadership and frontline roles see:
Higher engagement from female clients
Better loan repayment rates
Stronger customer trust and retention
"The way you get more women [as customers] is you hire more women. The linkage is clear, when women design financial products, they address women’s pain points." Mary Ellen Iskenderian
Moving Beyond Microfinance
While microloans were a critical first step in financial inclusion, the next evolution requires:
Scaling tailored financial products (e.g., flexible mortgages, women focused investment tools)
Addressing cultural barriers (e.g., universal national ID, property ownership laws, credit accessibility)
Rethinking Wealth: It’s More Than Just Income
Sarah Biller, a fintech investor and data expert, challenged traditional notions of wealth, emphasizing that financial power extends beyond salary, it’s about networks, data access, and financial innovation.
Key Takeaways:
The Role of FinTech & AI in Closing Gaps
Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, alternative credit scoring) can democratize financial access for underserved groups.
However, without diverse data inputs, AI risks reinforcing existing biases (e.g., algorithms trained on male-dominated financial histories may disadvantage women).
Community as Capital
Sarah shared her personal journey of overcoming data access barriers by leveraging investor relationships and mentorship networks.
Women need strong professional ecosystems to navigate funding, negotiate deals, and access opportunities.
The Future of Finance: Women Leading Tech Innovation
Women must be at the forefront of AI and fintech development to ensure financial tools serve, rather than exclude them.
Sarah highlighted a recent panel on AI in finance where all speakers were women, a sign of progress in reshaping the industry.
"If we don’t have women shaping AI and financial models, we risk locking in the same disparities that exist today." Sarah Biller
Women Entrepreneurs & the Funding Gap: How to Secure Capital
Esosa Ighodaro, co-founder of Black Women Talk Tech, spotlighted a harsh reality: Black women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs, yet they receive less than 1% of venture funding.
Key Takeaways:
Alternative Funding Paths
Grants & Accelerators: Platforms like Hello Alice and Millennial Money curate funding opportunities.
Government Grants: "80% of government grants go unclaimed, there’s money waiting if you apply!" Esosa Ighodaro
Community Financing: Crowdfunding and revenue-based financing are growing options.
The Power of Networks
Many Black women founders secure their first funding rounds through accelerator programs.
Building relationships with investors and peers is crucial, Esosa encouraged attendees to join communities like Black Women Talk Tech.
Systemic Change Is Needed
More women in venture capital = more funding for women led businesses.
Policy reforms (e.g., equitable lending algorithms, transparency in funding decisions) are essential.
Building Long Term Financial Security: Salary, Investments & Homeownership
Meredith Moss, a fintech entrepreneur, broke down actionable strategies for turning income into lasting wealth.
Key Takeaways:
Salary Negotiation & Compounding Wealth
Women often hesitate to negotiate salaries, costing them $1 million+ over a lifetime.
Small increases compound over time: negotiating even a 5% raise early in your career can significantly impact retirement savings.
Insurance & Homeownership: Cornerstones of Wealth
Many women overlook life insurance, property insurance, and home equity as wealth-building tools.
Buying a home is one of the most powerful ways to build generational wealth, yet systemic barriers persist.
AI & Bias in Lending
AI-driven lending models rely on historical data, which may perpetuate disparities (e.g., women and minorities receiving higher loan denials).
Demand transparency in algorithmic lending decisions.
"Wealth isn’t just what you earn, it’s what you keep, grow, and pass on." Meredith Moss
The Urgent Need for Financial Inclusion and Innovation
Castleigh Johnson emphasized the urgent need for financial institutions to expand access to women, highlighting both the business and moral imperative for change. Despite the clear economic benefits, potentially unlocking trillions in wealth traditional banks often resist disruption, allowing FinTech innovators to step in and address these gaps.
Systemic financial inequities persist, with data confirming the widespread impact beyond just women. Achieving true inclusion requires collective action, advocacy, and network-building. By challenging the status quo and pushing for equitable policies, we can create a financial system that fosters growth and opportunity for all.
Final Thoughts: Taking the Next Step
The panelists left attendees with a powerful message: Financial empowerment is a journey, and small, intentional steps can lead to significant financial stability.
Your Action Plan:
🔹 Educate Yourself: Explore resources from Black Women Talk Tech, Women’s World Banking, and FinTech Sandbox.
🔹 Build Your Network: Join accelerators, fintech forums, and housing nonprofits.
🔹 Advocate for Transparency: Demand fair lending practices and diverse representation in finance.
This event was just the beginning of an ongoing conversation about financial inclusion, homeownership, and wealth building. As the landscape of financial services continues to evolve, the need for tailored solutions that address women's unique financial needs remains paramount.
For those who want to continue the conversation, we encourage you to explore the resources shared by our panelists and join financial communities dedicated to fostering economic empowerment. The path to homeownership and financial success is within reach, equipped with the right knowledge and tools, you can take the next step toward securing your financial future.
Stay connected with us for more resources, upcoming events, and expert insights on navigating your homeownership journey!
Missed the event? Watch the full discussion here!
Couldn't join us live? The entire inspiring conversation is now available to watch on demand!
https://www.linkedin.com/events/7311203328367943680/theater/
Disclaimer: My Home Pathway is a technology-driven risk improvement platform. We are not a mortgage broker or lender and are not representatives of any home loan programs. We are not a credit repair company, HUD-certified counseling agency, or one-on-one home counselor. While we offer mortgage-related services, we are not a bank, non-profit organization, foundation, or real estate agency. We may partner with those organizations to provide content and access related to our services.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered credit repair advice or housing counseling services. For credit repair assistance or housing counseling, please consult with appropriate certified professionals or HUD-approved agencies.
Fintech Founder at My Home Pathway. VC Backed Startup. Financial Inclusion Leader and Speaker.
Risk and project management professional with experience in Federal Reserve banking regulations, risk management policies as well as risk management advisory services. Critical skills include credit risk analysis, capital markets, strategic planning, current state assessments and target operating models. Ability to assess evolving regulatory guidelines and potential impact on financial services organizations operationally and strategically.
Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Science in Management and International Business from Penn State University where he was a Bunton Waller Scholar and Division 1 athlete and his MBA in Finance and Accounting from New York University.
