On February 10, the ESCP Women in Finance Chair and Women in Finance France Association co-hosted the second edition of the Speed Dating–Mentoring event at ESCP’s Champerret Paris Campus with nearly 100 students participating. The evening opened with remarks from ESCP professors Almudena Canibano and Marion Festing, co-scientific directors of the Chair, who emphasized the critical role of gender diversity in finance and the importance of structured support to advance women’s careers.
Advancing Women’s Careers in Finance
The event also provided an opportunity to present the Women in Finance Chair and its partner organizations. The Chair aims to address the persistent gender imbalance in finance by supporting women’s recruitment, career development, and long-term progression. Its work focuses on understanding the roots of underrepresentation and promoting inclusive practices through research, training, performance evaluation, and recognition.
Research and Ongoing Initiatives
Launched in late 2023, the Chair has been active for over two years, delivering events and research projects on women’s career paths, motivations, and experiences in finance. Its outputs include a three-year longitudinal study and two dedicated research projects on paternity leave and women’s lived experiences in the sector.
Welcome by Fabienne Konik
Fabienne Konik, Founder and President of Women in Finance, highlighted the value of collaboration with the Chair to accelerate gender diversity in leadership. She presented the association’s flagship initiatives, including a mentorship program, a leadership academy, and a board readiness program, all designed to support women’s access to senior and executive roles. She also underscored the strength of the association’s European network in fostering a more inclusive financial ecosystem.
Speed Mentoring: Connecting Talent and Experience
At the heart of the evening was the speed mentoring session, which brought together students and senior women professionals from the Chair’s partner firms and the Women in Finance network. Organized in a World Café format across four rooms, students rotated between mentors to discuss career paths, challenges, and aspirations. Mentors shared insights drawn from their professional journeys, offering practical guidance and candid perspectives.
Mentors represented a wide range of institutions, including Vauban, Amala Partners, Ardian, Lombard Odier, Eight Advisory, EY Consulting, Partech VC, Goldman Sachs, Bpifrance, Santander Corporate Bank, Oddo BHF, Nexialog Consulting, MSCI (ESG), and Generali AM.
A Meaningful and Lasting Impact
The session included two 40-minute mentoring rounds, allowing participants to engage with multiple professionals and gain diverse viewpoints. The event concluded with a collective discussion, during which students reflected on their key takeaways and how the experience would shape their future career decisions.
Voices from the Wrap-Up Session
Mentors’ Perspective
"Our main message to students is simple: explore, experience, and stay true to what motivates you. Finance is a vast and diverse industry, and internships are essential to understanding what you enjoy, and just as importantly, what you do not. Each experience helps you refine your direction and build a career aligned with your interests.
Do not hesitate to reach out, network, and speak with professionals. Use every opportunity (seminars, LinkedIn, mentoring sessions) to better understand the different paths available to you. At the same time, reflect on your values, your priorities, and the type of environment in which you want to grow.
There is no single path in finance. Success does not come from pressure or from following a predefined route, but from curiosity, continuous learning, and passion. When you genuinely enjoy what you do, performance and opportunities follow naturally."
Students’ Perspective
"This event was incredibly valuable because it allowed us to speak in small groups and ask honest, personal questions. Hearing from professionals with diverse backgrounds helped us realize that finance is much broader than we initially thought.
Many of us arrived focused on specific areas like M&A or private equity, but we are leaving with a much more open perspective. Discovering new fields showed us that career paths are rarely linear, and that it is okay to explore before finding the right fit.
Listening to mentors’ journeys reassured us that changing direction is possible and sometimes necessary. Overall, the session was inspiring, enriching, and a great opportunity to rethink our career paths with greater clarity and confidence."
By promoting mentorship, dialogue, and network-building, the Speed Dating–Mentoring event reaffirmed the joint commitment of the ESCP Women in Finance Chair and Women in Finance Association to advancing gender balance and inclusion in the financial industry.
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