The wealth management industry is undergoing a profound generational shift—driven by the increasing visibility, leadership, and influence of female advisors. Armed with strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and a deep understanding of client needs, women are not only breaking barriers as advisors but also emerging as owners and founders of advisory firms.
This transformation is reshaping the way wealth is managed, relationships are built, and firms are structured. As women continue to enter and redefine a field historically dominated by men, their growing presence is creating a more inclusive, balanced, and client-focused financial landscape, one that reflects the evolving demographics of wealth itself.
As a significant portion of today’s advisor workforce approaches retirement, a new generation is stepping forward—and women are increasingly at the forefront. With the industry moving away from product sales toward relationship-driven, holistic financial planning, the timing couldn’t be better. These client-centric approaches align naturally with the strengths many women bring to the table, empathy, collaboration, and a focus on long-term trust. This convergence of demographic change and evolving client expectations is opening the door for younger female advisors to thrive. According to industry data, women now make up nearly 30% of the financial advisory workforce, and that number continues to rise.
As more women enter the workforce, achieve higher-paying leadership roles, and inherit intergenerational wealth, their financial influence is accelerating. According to a McKinsey & Company report, women are expected to control nearly $30 trillion in assets by 2030, a figure nearly equivalent to the U.S. GDP.
Women already hold about $10 trillion in U.S. household assets, or one-third of total wealth. This monumental shift in financial power is driving systemic change across the advisory ecosystem, as firms adapt to serve an increasingly diverse and female-led investor base.
The growth of female-founded and women-focused RIAs is further evidence of this trend. A recent ThinkAdvisor spotlight on Expressive Wealth, a Chicago-based RIA founded by Christina Martinez, Jackie Villarreal, and Talita Silva, illustrates this evolution. Launched on International Women’s Day, Expressive Wealth focuses on high-net-worth families and women-led businesses, emphasizing inheritance planning and holistic financial wellness.
With $200 million in assets under management and plans to reach $500 million by the end of 2024, the firm stands out for its inclusive approach, offering pro bono services to those not yet affluent and blending financial strategy with psychological insight. CEO Vanessa N. Martinez, a longtime industry leader, also co-founded Em-Powered Network, a mentorship initiative for women advisors that she plans to transition into a nonprofit under the firm’s umbrella.
Major institutions are also recognizing the importance of empowering female advisors and clients alike. A recent AdvisorHub article highlighted LPL Financial’s “Advisor Fit” initiative, a flexible model designed to attract and retain women in advisory roles. The program offers customized mentorship, flexible work arrangements, and community support, addressing unique challenges such as work-life balance and professional growth.
Senior leaders Kimberly Sanders and Anna Howard attribute LPL’s success to fostering a culture that values authenticity, inclusion, and diversity of thought. This approach not only supports women internally but also positions the firm to better serve an expanding female client base, one that increasingly seeks advisors who understand their goals and values.
In a profession long defined by tradition, female advisors are redefining what success looks like in wealth management. Their empathetic, relationship-first approach is transforming how clients experience financial advice, shifting the focus from transactions to trust, and from returns to long-term well-being. As women continue to gain ground as advisors, founders, and investors, the industry stands on the brink of a more inclusive, dynamic, and client-centric future. With women poised to control trillions in global wealth over the next decade, their growing leadership represents not just progress but an essential evolution for the future of wealth management.