How many times have you talked yourself out of pursuing an opportunity, telling yourself it wasn't for you, that you weren’t ready, or you weren’t qualified?
What if that hesitation wasn't self-awareness but a script you internalized?
Many women have a complicated relationship with their ambitions for greater leadership and greater wealth. And it isn’t because women are somehow inherently less suited for leadership or financial independence. The systems of power, patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny that we live in every day shape the voice in women’s heads that tells them they’re not meant to be a leader.
We are in a political and cultural moment where women’s rights and autonomy are facing incredible pushback at all levels. It’s vital that we examine our internalized biases towards ourselves and others, where we limit our ambitions for roles we have the skills and abilities for, and where we’re giving up our power because of the stories we’ve been told by our society.
My guest today is a beautiful example of a woman who hadn’t considered herself for a CEO role, but who stepped into the position and has grown into the kind of leader we just might need most right now. In our conversation, we talk a lot about women and finances and also about what we believe about our abilities and the opportunities we deserve to pursue.
Sylvia Kwan is a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to Ellevest, she founded SimplySmart Asset Management and held senior portfolio management positions at Financial Engines and Charles Schwab. Sylvia serves on the Board of Exit 182, the investment committee that oversees the endowment of Grinnell College.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
How Sylvia’s commitment to Ellevest’s mission bolstered her through the abrupt and sometimes isolating shift into being CEO
How she navigated the tension between wanting to be transparent with her team and needing to project calm
The scripts about who she is and the work she excels at that Sylvia had to rewrite, and why it’s a continuing process
How the financial industry subconsciously reinforces sexist ideas about women and money
Why taking the stigma out of women talking about money is a key piece of closing the gender wealth gap
How women accruing wealth actually supports communities and creates more equity
How convoluted jargon and perfectionism keep women from getting started with investing
(00:42) - Introduction
(11:55) - Sudden CEO Transition
(14:15) - Self Trust and Mission
(17:45) - Leading Through Uncertainty
(22:48) - Rewriting the Leadership Script
(27:10) - Finance Industry Gender Gap
(33:48) - Myths About Women and Wealth
(36:24) - Complexity Masquerading as Sophistication
(39:46) - Roadblocks and Getting Started Now
(44:31) - Defining Leadership
(46:22) - Embracing the Complexities
(48:27) - Quick Fire Questions
(53:35) - How to Connect
(54:26) - Closing Thoughts
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