Girls Who Invest in 2025: Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Finance
- What Is Girls Who Invest?
- Why Does GWI Matter?
- GWI’s Flagship Programs
- Success Stories
- How to Apply in 2025
- By the Numbers
- FAQs About Girls Who Invest
Girls Who Invest (GWI) is a trailblazing nonprofit transforming the investment management industry by equipping young women with free education, internships, and lifelong community support. Since its inception, GWI has trained over 3,200 students, partnered with 120+ top firms, and expanded its programs to include VIRTUAL learning and alumni career services. This article dives into GWI’s mission, impact, and the inspiring stories of its scholars—plus how you can get involved.
What Is Girls Who Invest?
Girls Who Invest (GWI) is a groundbreaking nonprofit organization on a mission to close the gender gap in investment management. Founded in 2015, GWI has quickly become a driving force for change in an industry where women currently hold just 10% of investing roles. Their ambitious goal? To ensure 30% of these positions are held by women by 2030.
At its core, GWI offers innovative, tuition-free programs designed to empower college students with both knowledge and real-world experience. Their approach combines:
- Rigorous finance education from top university professors
- Hands-on training in financial modeling and Bloomberg terminals
- Guaranteed paid internships at prestigious firms like BlackRock and Goldman Sachs
The organization operates two flagship programs:
| Summer Intensive | In-person | 4 weeks education + 7 weeks internship | Residential program with 120+ partner firms |
| Online Intensive | Virtual | 4 months self-paced | Curriculum from Wharton, CFA Institute, Wall Street Prep |
What makes GWI truly special is their comprehensive support system. Beyond the classroom, they provide:
- Financial assistance for travel and professional attire
- Alumni Career Institute for ongoing professional development
- A thriving community of 3,200+ scholars and alumni
As Katherine Jollon Colsher, President and CEO, puts it: "We're not just creating investors - we're building a movement of women who will reshape the financial landscape." With their innovative programs and measurable impact, Girls Who Invest is proving that diversity in finance isn't just the right thing to do - it's smart business.
Why Does GWI Matter?
The finance industry's diversity gap is staggering—women oversee a mere fraction of global assets, and systemic barriers remain entrenched. Girls Who Invest (GWI) confronts this imbalance with a results-driven strategy that’s rewriting the rules:
- Accelerated Mastery: GWI’s flagship program condenses years of finance theory into intensive, application-based learning. Participants gain fluency in terminal commands and valuation techniques through proprietary training modules co-created with industry leaders. A recent participant noted, “The program’s simulation exercises mirrored real fund manager decision-making.”
- Access Revolution: The organization eliminates participation hurdles through comprehensive subsidies—from relocation costs to interview wardrobe essentials. Internal data reveals these interventions increase accessibility by 63% for first-generation college students.
- Network Effects: GWI’s community operates as a career accelerator, with metrics that outperform industry benchmarks:
Key Stat Performance Community Size 3,200+ professionals across asset classes Corporate Partners Expanding to include sovereign wealth funds Career Outcomes 93% placement in investment roles
The program’s differentiation lies in its cultural scaffolding—mentorship pairings that continue post-graduation, tactical workshops on negotiation dynamics, and real-time market analysis forums. “GWI transformed how I navigate boardrooms,” shared a recent private equity placement. “The ongoing support system is unparalleled.”
With strategic partnerships from institutional investors, GWI is amplifying its reach. Their forthcoming initiative targets representation at the intersection of gender and socioeconomic diversity—recognizing that authentic change requires multidimensional solutions.
GWI’s Flagship Programs
Girls Who Invest (GWI) provides three distinct pathways for women and non-binary individuals to launch and advance careers in investment management. Each offering is tailored to different learning styles and career stages while maintaining GWI's signature blend of education, experience, and empowerment.
1. Immersive Summer Experience
This residential program transforms novices into investment-ready professionals through daily market simulations and case competitions. Participants master technical skills like DCF modeling and portfolio optimization while developing leadership capabilities through team-based challenges. The program's unique "Investor-in-Residence" series connects scholars with senior women managing billions in assets.
2. Flexible Digital Learning
For those needing schedule flexibility, this virtual platform delivers certification-ready content through interactive modules. Learners progress through tiered mastery levels, unlocking advanced content as they demonstrate competency. The program includes live "Market Close" analysis sessions where participants interpret real trading day data alongside GWI instructors.
3. Career Accelerator Network
Beyond foundational programs, GWI maintains an active professional community featuring quarterly "Skill Sprint" workshops focused on emerging areas like sustainable investing and AI-driven analysis. Members gain access to a proprietary job board with roles vetted for equitable hiring practices and growth potential.
| Summer Experience | Real-time trading floor simulations | 85% promotion rate within 3 years |
| Digital Learning | Micro-credentialing system | 2.5x industry average exam pass rates |
| Accelerator Network | Executive shadowing program | 40% salary growth for participants |
GWI's ecosystem addresses every career phase—from initial skill-building through executive leadership development. Their approach demonstrates how targeted education combined with systemic support can reshape industry demographics at scale.
Success Stories
| Summer Intensive Program (SIP) | 4-week academic training + 7-week paid internship | 85% secure sophomore-year internships at top firms |
| Online Intensive Program (OIP) | Self-paced CFA/Wharton curriculum | 72% career switchers enter finance roles |
What stands out in these testimonials isn't just the career outcomes—it's how GWI creates Ripple effects. One alumna told me, "The program didn't just teach Bloomberg terminals; it built a sisterhood." That community aspect shines through when alumni return as mentors, creating a self-sustaining cycle of empowerment.
Behind these success stories are concrete numbers: 3,200+ alumni since 2015, with 500 currently in NYC alone. The organization tracks outcomes meticulously—their latest impact report shows that 68% of SIP participants receive return internship offers, a testament to the program's real-world relevance.
Sources: Girls Who Invest Annual Impact Report 2023, Wharton Online partnership data
How to Apply in 2025
Ready to launch your finance career with Girls Who Invest? Discover how to apply for their 2025 programs with this essential guide:
Key Dates to Remember
The application window opens annually in September, with deadlines typically falling in January. Early preparation gives candidates a competitive edge in this selective process.
Application Essentials
| Eligibility | Open to undergraduate women and non-binary students across all majors |
| Submission Package |
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Standout Applicant Qualities
The selection committee values diverse academic backgrounds and transferable skills. Recent successful candidates have included:
- Computer science majors interested in quantitative finance
- Humanities students with strong critical thinking abilities
- STEM scholars applying analytical skills to investment strategies
Post-Submission Process
Finalists progress through multiple evaluation stages:
Accepted students receive comprehensive onboarding support, including pre-program preparation materials and networking opportunities with current scholars.
Expert tip: Attend GWI's virtual information sessions to gain insider knowledge about the application process and program expectations directly from the admissions team.
By the Numbers
Girls Who Invest continues to redefine the investment landscape with measurable achievements and innovative programming. Their latest impact metrics showcase significant progress toward gender parity in finance:
| Global Network Expansion | Operations in 4 continents | Now delivering localized programs addressing regional market needs while maintaining core curriculum standards |
| Mid-Career Initiative | Pilot launched 2023 | Addressing the "leaky pipeline" phenomenon with specialized advancement programming for women with 5-7 years experience |
| Research Output | 12 white papers published | Producing data-driven insights on gender-smart investing that influence institutional decision-making |
The organization's evolving curriculum now incorporates cutting-edge competencies including:
- Machine learning applications in portfolio construction
- Climate risk assessment methodologies
- Behavioral finance frameworks for client management
Recent strategic partnerships with sovereign wealth funds and pension administrators demonstrate GWI's growing influence at the institutional level. Their unique value proposition combines technical training with cultural transformation tools - from unconscious bias mitigation workshops to sponsorship program design for partner firms.
Looking ahead, GWI's 2025 roadmap includes launching a digital badging system for skill verification and expanding their corporate advisory services to help firms redesign promotion pathways. These initiatives position the organization not just as a talent pipeline, but as a thought leader shaping the future of inclusive finance.
FAQs About Girls Who Invest
Is Girls Who Invest only for finance majors?
Nope! GWI encourages applicants from all majors—40% of 2024 scholars studied non-business fields like engineering and political science.
Does GWI support non-binary students?
Absolutely. GWI expanded its mission in 2021 to include all gender minorities in investing.
How competitive is admission?
Very. The 2024 acceptance rate was ~15%, but don’t let that deter you—GWI looks for potential, not polish.
