In the buzzing metropolis of São Paulo, Bruna sat down with us to explain her unique perspective on women in wealth. Typically, she spends her days helping clients of all ages and backgrounds to fulfil their potential – and, particularly in her female clients, she sees a great deal of change occurring.
Why is women and wealth an important topic?
Though some women are still hesitant of their financial skills, explains Bruna, she is also seeing a huge leap in the confidence of her clients. She believes that women must secure their financial futures for several reasons. Firstly, we are seeing more women in leadership roles, with up to 32% of senior management positions now held by women: an increase of 10% in the last decade. Secondly, women live longer – studies show that women enjoy a lifespan up to 7 years longer than their male counterparts. And lastly, couples are getting divorced at a higher rate globally since the Covid-19 pandemic, which indicates a growing need for financially independent spouses.
How can women find financial independence?
For Bruna – a mother of young twins, a boy and a girl – the differences between many men and women’s attitudes and interpretations of finance are stark. Using insight from both her professional and personal life, she has developed four key tips for women to bridge this gap.
Tip 1 – Get financial education
“Knowledge is power,” explains Bruna. She says that by arming themselves with the necessary financial education, women can fully understand their wealth management requirements, confidently contribute to their families’ investment decisions, and successfully plan for the future – whether they are in partnership with their spouse, or independently.
Tip 2 – Track the news
“It’s always important to know what’s going on in the world,” Bruna adds. By keeping yourself informed on global events, you can stay on top of structural changes that affect the investment landscape. A strong grasp on economic developments and technological advancements can help you to make informed decisions regarding wealth planning.
Tip 3 – Know your portfolio
“Take a close look at your portfolio – you have to be looking at what’s going on,” emphasises Bruna. “You need to make sure that your values are reflected in your portfolio.” It’s vital that women don’t just take a backseat when it comes to investments – particularly those which will have a direct impact on their or their children’s lives. Either through seeking the advice of financial experts or by asking the right questions with wealth managers, you can align your investments with your personal goals and values. It is important to have proper oversight of your assets and to give yourself due credit for designing the financial future you deserve.
Tip 4 – Amplify your confidence
“This is very important, because we are the future,” explains Bruna. As more and more women begin to level the playing field in the corporate world in particular, she sees a growing need for women to increase their confidence. As equals in both professional and private matters, women must strive to build a world where they are no longer held back by self-doubt in their own abilities. According to Bruna, it’s time for women to forget outdated limitations on what they can do to safe-guard their futures.
Raising the next generation of equal investors
And, on the topic of the future, raising one’s children with proper education is something very close to Bruna’s heart. With a toddler under each arm, she grins as she tells us all about her son and daughter. As anyone with a young child – let alone two – would agree, helping them to grow into self-assured and responsible adults is of major importance.
According to Bruna, she must raise a strong and independent young woman who is prepared for challenges that may lie ahead in a world where, traditionally, women have less financial independence. At the same time, she must help her son grow into a confident and considerate young man with humility, who can find his place in society while being mindful of harmful stereotypes of men versus women when it comes to money and more.
And in her daily work, Bruna sees the female investors of today as making a significant, positive impact on the world. “The huge difference between the next generation of female investors versus the previous one is their social conscience,” she says. “They always would like to have a portfolio that is aligned with their values. They always like to make an impact. They ask me, ‘what is my money nurturing?’”
In the eyes of Bruna, the future of women and wealth is set to be bright, so long as investors can remember that education, confidence, and awareness is key.