On March 18, the ESCP Women in Finance Chair and the Women in Finance France Association co-hosted an inspiring Speed Dating-Mentoring event at ESCP’s Champerret Paris Campus. The evening began with an introduction by Almudena Canibano, professor at ESCP and co-scientific director of the chair, who highlighted the importance of gender diversity in the finance industry and the need for structured support to advance women’s careers.
Women in Finance: Support and Advancement
The event served as an opportunity to introduce the ‘Women in Finance’ chair and its supporting partners. The chair’s mission is to promote and facilitate the career growth of women in finance, addressing the sector’s persistent gender imbalance. Key objectives include understanding the underrepresentation of women, supporting recruitment efforts, and fostering long-term career development through training, performance evaluation, and recognition.
The Role of Research and Initiatives
Launched in late 2023, the chair has already been active for over a year, organizing events at the European Parliament and the French Assembly, as well as within ESCP. Ongoing research projects explore the experiences of women in finance, career decisions, and motivations behind choosing and staying in the industry. A three-year longitudinal study was recently initiated to track the career trajectories of students interested in finance.
Keynote by Fabienne Konik: Empowering Women in Leadership
Fabienne Konik, Founder and President of the Women in Finance Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration with the chair team to drive gender diversity in leadership. She introduced several initiatives, including a mentorship program, a leadership academy, and a board preparation program designed to help women advance to executive positions. She also highlighted the association’s extensive European network and its role in fostering an inclusive financial sector.
Mentoring Session: Building Meaningful Connections
A core feature of the event was the speed mentoring session, where students engaged with experienced female finance professionals from the ESCP Women in Finance Chair partners and the Women in Finance Association network.
- World Café Style: The session was organized into four rooms, with students rotating between mentors.
- Mentor Contributions: Professionals shared insights on their expertise, career paths, and personal experiences.
- Student Engagement: Students presented their career aspirations, asked questions, and received valuable guidance from mentors.
Prominent mentors included leaders from the Chair’s partners companies (Vauban, Amala Partners, Ardian, Lombard Odier and Eight Advisory) and other companies (EY, Partech, UBS, Barclays, Active Asset Allocation, Investment Banking, CNP Assurances, BpiFrance, and Generali Investments).
A Dynamic and Impactful Exchange
The session featured two mentoring rounds, each lasting 40 minutes, allowing students to interact with multiple professionals and gain diverse perspectives. The event concluded with an interactive discussion where students reflected on their key takeaways, how the experience influenced their perspectives, and how they plan to apply these insights in their future careers.
The Speed Dating-Mentoring event underscored the importance of mentorship, networking, and knowledge-sharing in empowering women in finance. By fostering these connections, the ESCP Women in Finance Chair and the Women in Finance Association continue to pave the way for a more balanced and inclusive financial industry.
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