100 Women in Finance Celebrates 25 Years of Impact at London Stock Exchange
This morning, 100 Women in Finance opened trading at the London Stock Exchange to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate 25 years of advancing women’s leadership across the global finance industry. The market open formed part of the organisation’s 25th Anniversary, reflecting both a moment of celebration and a renewed commitment to accelerating progress toward greater equity in finance.
Founded in 2001 by a small group of women seeking community, connection, and credibility in an industry that did not always make room for them, 100 Women in Finance has grown into a powerful global network. Today, the organisation equips its members with the knowledge, networks, and visibility to advance their careers - across continents, across generations, and across roles. Its members span the full breadth of the industry, including investors, founders, allocators, risk-takers, mentors, and leaders shaping the future of finance.
The market was opened by Lisa Petrelli, Board Chair of 100 Women in Finance. The event was attended by representatives from corporate sponsor firms, members, volunteers, and invited guests. In her remarks, Rehana Farrell, Chief Executive Officer of 100 Women in Finance, reflected on the organisation’s 25-year journey and the work still ahead, noting that while representation of women in leadership has improved over time, progress remains uneven and parity is not yet a reality across the industry. She emphasised the importance of moving beyond incremental change to focus on structural solutions that expand access to opportunity, strengthen retention at critical career stages, and ensure leadership reflects the full diversity of talent within finance.
The program also featured a fireside conversation with Mary Ann Sieghart, journalist, and author of The Authority Gap, exploring the persistent barriers women face in being heard, recognised, and rewarded at senior levels. The discussion highlighted how bias, often subtle and systemic, continues to shape leadership outcomes, and why building inclusive cultures, transparent pathways to advancement, and visible sponsorship of women’s leadership are essential to accelerating change.
International Women’s Day serves as a moment to recognise progress while confronting the work that remains. For 100 Women in Finance, the 25th Anniversary marks both a milestone and a call to action - reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to strengthening the global finance industry by ensuring that talent is met with access, ambition is matched with opportunity, and leadership better reflects the diversity of the world it serves.
