The Female Quotient

Taylor’s here to set the record straight 👏

Ida Liu Global Head, Citi Private Bank joined us in the Equality Lounge at #Davos to talk wealth—specifically how by 2030, women will go from controlling a third of the global wealth to more than half. But what exactly will that look like? Different, certainly. As all this wealth starts to change hands, investments will shift. Women who already invest are showing us that they care deeply about those investments and how they actually impact the world around them. She predicts that impact and ESG investments won’t just be pillars of portfolios, but they’ll be the core of them going forward. 

Who maintains a machine responsible for making all the world’s microchips necessary in phones, tablets, computers, cars, and *so* much more? Meet Brienna Hall, who manages ASML’s Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine in Boise, Idaho. Each day, she suits up in a cleanroom bunny suit and works on the $170 million machine in a space that’s 100 times cleaner than a hospital operating room. In other words, it’s tricky, precise, and invaluable stuff! “I thought I had the coolest job ever,” Hall says. “I didn't process the fact that this job is necessary for our entire world to exist as it does.” Hall is an impressive woman in STEM who loves to learn, problem solve, and use her expertise for real purpose—one that keeps the world operating chip by chip—and there's no doubt she'll inspire others who hear her story.

Just wait ‘til he finds out that mom is Hallie *and* Annie 🤯

Women will possess 50% of the global wealth within the next five years, meaning right now, we’ve got major work to do. Thasunda Brown Duckett, CEO TIAA, spoke in the Equality Lounge at #Davos and unpacked what she thinks work should look like. ➡️ Pay equity: The more women make, the more women can have in their portfolios.  ➡️ Pipeline: Leaders should be building a pipeline of women that can ascend to higher leadership positions.  ➡️ Perspective: Ask the right questions, own prior financial mistakes, and keep seeking sound advice. 

#TakeItToTheStreets ✨ Last week at the World Economic Forum, we took to the streets to talk about the staggering cost of childbirth—especially in the U.S., where prices are higher than anywhere else. Compared to countries with universal healthcare like Norway, Denmark, and the UK, the difference is shocking. It’s time for change. Lowering these costs starts with better healthcare policies, price transparency, and greater access to affordable birthing options. Because bringing a life into the world shouldn’t come with a financial burden. We want to hear from you–how much did it cost to give birth in your country? 💸

J.P. Morgan CEO, Jamie Dimon, and Global Co-Head of Investment Banking, Dorothee Blessing, joined us in the Equality Lounge at #Davos and shared some valuable thoughts on the economy, business, and building a successful career. Here’s the download: 📈 Optimism in the economy—Despite global challenges, U.S. leaders remain optimstic, with AI driving productivity, innovation, and efficiency. 🤖 AI’s economic impact—Leveraging AI strategically can fuel business growth and significantly boost the economy. 🤝 The power of networks—Success isn’t built alone. Strong relationships and mentorship are key to overcoming challenges—something we champion in The Female Quotient's Equality Lounge! Conversations like these are why we created this space. Let’s keep the momentum going.

Spain has set a new standard for parental leave, allowing single parents the same amount of paid leave as couples. The decision came after a court in southeastern Spain concluded that newborns’ needs are equal, regardless of their parental structure. Silvia Pardo Moreno, a single mother, noticed her daughter was the only child in daycare at just 16 weeks old—while children of couples had the benefit of 32 weeks of parental leave. She argued that every child deserves the same time to bond with a parent, regardless of family structure, and that single parents should receive equal paid leave to make that possible. Though a local court initially ruled against her, Pardo refused to back down. She appealed to the higher Murcia court—and won. This is a huge win for single parents, as this new policy will grant them the same time, resources, and opportunity to care for their newborn as two-parent households. Spain joins other countries like Germany, Finland, and Sweden who have similar policies in place, and give lawmakers in the US another family-first example to consider, as it remains one of the only high-income countries in the world without a federal paid parental leave policy in place.

We caught up with Ilaria Resta, CEO Audemars Piguet, at an Art Basel event hosted by Audemars Piguet, Vanity Fair and in collaboration with The Female Quotient. She explained the concept of “circular leadership” which is about putting leaders in the center. Unlike traditional hierarchies that position leaders at the top, disconnected from the day-to-day, circular leadership places leaders at the center—fully engaged with their teams, listening to those doing the work, and witnessing collaboration. It’s an approach that prioritizes connection, empathy, and understanding, and it just makes sense for impactful leadership in today’s world. Thank you, Ilaria, for sharing this game-changing perspective. It’s a leadership philosophy we can all learn from.