2024: A Year In Review
Happy New Year! I am moments away from closing my computer and jumping in to my glittered outfit and cowboy boots for a line dancing extravaganza. One of my many new obsessions for 2024 is line dancing. While there are many things I am hoping to let go of in the coming year, dancing is not one of them. In fact, a highlight of the past year was having a TikTok dancing video with my pre/pro dancer niece go viral (1 million + views / @itselizabae_). A girl just wants to have fun. Maybe I should hang up my (cowboy) hat as a finfluencer (yes that is a term now according to the World Economic Forum) and become a 60 year old dance teacher? Just teasing. This is my life's work.
Below is a recap of this years SheMoney Newsletters, and I am excited to share that you are one of 165,108 direct subscribers. Thank you for subscribing and please consider sending this newsletter on to others inviting them to subscribe. Did you have a favorite newsletter this year? I would love to know.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025!
The Psychology of Money: A SheMoney Book Review?
In my January 2024 newsletter, I took a deep dive into The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. This book is one of my favs and offers valuable insights into how our personal experiences and emotions shape the way we think about money. If you want to start your year off right, consider this intention. This year, I am committed to taking action to advance my financial wellness. I am committed to evaluating my thinking when it comes to money, making more informed decisions around money, and working towards building a resilient financial foundation for a secure and fulfilling future.
A 2024 Goal: Spend More Time With Men
In February I shared a simple but powerful goal for the year 2024: to spend more time with men. Why? Because if we (us gals) are serious about advancing gender equity it’s crucial that we engage men. I followed through with this and hosted a number of CEO roundtables this past year, for mainly men, and brought author and masculinity expert Ray Arata to Utah for a couple of workshops in partnership with CHG Healthcare and Leslie Snavely (she/her). How did that feel? Frankly, frustrating and hard. As a reminder, Utah ranks the worst state in the country when it comes to gender equality, and as someone who cares a heck of a lot about this and tries to do all I know how to do to try to change it, it so often feels like I am smashing my head against a wall. Utah, I think we can do better.
Are Women Our Economy's Financial Superheroes?
My March newsletter was focussed on research. For the past 25+ years I have been obsessed with collecting, sharing and amplifying gender focussed research, especially research that makes the business and economic case for gender equity. I am truly not kidding when I say I have file cabinets full of thousands of reports, articles and more. This year, it all got organized! My dream is to feed all of it in to a gender intelligent, female forward, LLM. It would be just a short time later that I would meet Shubhi Rao, the founder of Uplevyl, that is set on doing just that.
Happy 90th Birthday Gloria Steinem!?
In April I dedicated my newsletter to the one and only Gloria Steinem in honor of her 90th birthday. I recounted the story of first meeting Gloria in 1999 while pregnant with my daughter, and the many touch points we have had over the past 25 years. Gloria is my Shero! Sometime I wonder why? Why do I care so damn much about trying to use my time, treasure and talent to make a difference? One of the big reasons is that I have been so blessed to get to know women, incredible women, who have done just that. In addition to this piece, I shared more about Gloria in Women and Wealth Magazine published by Brown Brothers Harriman. Thank you Adrienne Penta !
"My Why": The SheMoney Summit
I am quickly realizing, in putting together this summary, that so many of my newsletters this past year were a trip down memory lane. In this one I share about my passion for creating events around women and money. Once again, this goes back over 25 years and started while I was a partner at Goldman Sachs. Fast forward, we were about to host the inaugural SheMoney Summit which took place in June. My hope for that event was that is would be the most innovative, fun, informative conference ever. And, it was!
The Inaugural SheMoney Summit! A Recap.
In July I reflected on our inaugural SheMoney Summit held in Salt Lake City on June 6th and 7th. This groundbreaking event brought together 500 attendees, mostly women, from diverse backgrounds to explore the theme "money matters". We featured dynamic "money talks" inspired by the TED format and all the talks are now available on our YouTube Channel, thanks to Comcast and especially Deneiva Knight, MSC. I am excited to share my key-note titled, you guessed it, "Why Money Mattters". It is a money manifesta.
For a deeper insight into the SheMoney Summit, check out this recap: SheMoney Summit 2024 / June 6-7th
Happy 60th Birthday Melinda French Gates!
For as long as I can remember I’ve collected quotes—almost 100 pages of them. One of my favorites is from Melinda French Gates: “If you don’t set your own agenda, someone else will.” This has been a very big year for Ms. French and this newsletter was all about her in honor of her big 60th and transition out of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. What is she doing with her billions? Read on. I am a huge fan of what I am now calling "The Pivotal Way".
A Closer Look At Political Giving
September’s newsletter took a closer look at political giving and the role our financial contributions play in shaping the political landscape. I reflected on how our donations can align with our values and influence the causes and candidates we believe in. The newsletter highlighted research on the impact of political donations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in how we direct our resources. It’s clear that intentional financial support can be a powerful tool in creating a more equitable and just society. As we navigate future elections, I urge you to consider how your giving can drive meaningful political change.
60 Money Reflections: What I've Learned, What I'm Still Learning?
In October I turned the big 60! I thought it would be hard to come up with 60 money lessons but, turns out, it was not hard at all. I just reread them hoping that one of them would pop out as my favorite but there are too many. That said, I like this one. Don’t spend money you don’t have on things you do not need.
What's Next For Women's Economic Equality?
“It’s the economy, stupid” is a phrase attributed to James Carville, who helped Bill Clinton win the 1992 Presidential election against George Bush. There is no doubt that the economy played a huge role in how people voted this past election cycle, as it always does. So in this next to last newsletter of the year I interviewed a new friend and brilliant human, Josie Cox, author of Women Money Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality. This compelling book was published in March of this year, and it tracks the history of women’s economic advancement in the United States of America.
Are You Ready to Thrive in the Digital Age?
My answer was no, but I am working on it. Another one of my favorite new friends for 2024 is Uplevyl founder Shubhi Rao. Full disclosure, I am an investor in her company. Why? Because I was searching for female founded generative AI technology company and the universe brought us together. We have very big plans for 2025! This is an interview with Shubhi and highlights her plans to launch a Digital Acumen Accelerator early in the year. I am so excited about I cannot stand it.
LinkedIn Live Conversations?
This past year we also did a number of live conversations on LInkedIn. They were recorded and live on our various social channels. Almost all of them have thousands of views and are part of our ongoing efforts to create meaningful content on MONEY!
Money + LOVE?
April 3, 2024
Featured Expert: Abby Davisson is a social innovation leader, author, and career strategist, best known for her book Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions, co-authored with Myra Strober. Together they co-developed a simple framework to help people cut through the complexity, slow down their decision-making, and feel more confident about their decision-making process. They call their framework the 5 C’s. Clarify, Communicate, Choices, Check-in and Consequences.
Summary:? Money and love are deeply intertwined, shaping so many of our biggest life decisions. This conversation invites us to look at how our values, our emotions, and our financial choices are all connected. It’s about bringing intentionality to these decisions—honoring the power dynamics, navigating differences, and being brave enough to have the hard conversations. At the heart of it all is the idea that by aligning our money and relationships with what truly matters, we can create lives of meaning and integrity.?
Abby’s Book:?Myra Strober and Abby Davisson Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions?
Abby’s Website: Money and Love Institute?
Abby’s Substack Newsletter: Practically Deliberate.
SheMoney Newsletter October 2023 featuring Abby:?Money and Love: An Intelligent Roadmap for Life’s Biggest Decisions
Money + KIDS
April 10, 2024?
Featured Expert: Dr. Jatali Bellanton is the founder and author of a youth financial literacy book, which she has utilized to offer financial curriculum to over 300 schools across the United States.? As a mother herself and her expertise in empowering families to navigate financial conversations, she will offer practical strategies for raising money-smart children.
Summary: Raising financially empowered kids is about teaching them the value of money, starting early, and making it part of everyday life. Whether it’s understanding needs versus wants, earning through chores, or even investing in stocks, these conversations build confidence and capability. Dr. J and I explored practical tools like gamifying money lessons and fostering open, age-appropriate discussions that help kids connect financial concepts to their own lives. It’s about giving them the knowledge and agency to navigate money as a tool for their future—and having some fun along the way.
Dr. J’s Book: Kids Who Bank presents Kidpreneurs: Volume 1: Wants vs Needs?
Website: Www.BrilliantMindsUnite.com
Additional Resources:?
Money + Divorce
April 17, 2024
Featured Expert: Jill L. Coil is the founder of Simple Endings, a company that educates, empowers and elevates couples during a sensitive time by ensuring their divorce documents are clear, accurate and enforceable according to law. Jill is also a financial strategist, Managing Partner of CoilLaw, book author of No One Dies from Divorce: How to Survive and Thrive When Your Marriage Ends? and podcast host of “No One Dies from Divorce.”
Summary:?
Divorce is one of the most challenging life transitions, impacting emotions, finances, and family dynamics. In this conversation, Jill Coyle shared her expertise as a divorce attorney and her personal story, emphasizing that while divorce can feel like an end, it can also be a new beginning. We explored how financial literacy, emotional resilience, and strong co-parenting are critical to navigating divorce and emerging stronger. This session is a call to action to remove the shame around divorce, approach it with transparency, and use it as an opportunity to build a brighter future.
Website: https://jillcoil.com/?
Docuseries: No One Dies from Divorce with Jill Coil
Money + Fertility?
April 24, 2024
Featured Expert: Robin Hauser is an award-winning director of documentary films at Finish Line? Features, llc. Currently she is in production on THAW a film about the rising trend of elective egg freezing and the future of fertility.? Robin’s documentary, $avvy, (2021) contemplates the historical, cultural and societal norms around women and money and explores why it’s critical for women to take an active role in managing personal finance. Her film, bias (2018), delves into unconscious bias and how it affects our lives socially and in the workplace.? In 2015, CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, catching the attention of the international tech industry and of policy makers around the world. Robin is a diplomat for the American Film Showcase;? she speaks about financial literacy, unconscious bias, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and on behalf of women’s rights at The White House, US Embassies, conferences and corporate headquarters worldwide.?
Summary: Fertility is a deeply personal and often complex journey, and during this LinkedIn Live conversation with Robin Hauser, we explored its emotional, financial, and social dimensions. The session highlighted the rise of elective egg freezing and the barriers to access, emphasizing the extraordinary costs and the lack of equity in this rapidly growing industry. Robin’s work brought clarity to these issues, empowering women with knowledge while addressing the financial and emotional trade-offs involved. This conversation served as a call to action to normalize discussions around fertility, understand the trade-offs, and advocate for better support and policies for women and families navigating these choices.?
Among the many resources shared, two books really resonated:
Both explore the intersection of career, life choices, and motherhood in ways that are eye-opening and deeply moving. These conversations remind me how crucial it is to create space for honest dialogue about the challenges women face.
If you're curious about the other resources we discussed, check out the comment section on the LinkedIn Live replay.
SheMoney Newsletter May 2023: Financing Fertility
Women, Money & Policy: A Post-Election Conversation
?November 14, 2024
Featured Experts:?
Josie Cox is a journalist, author, and broadcaster with a career spanning Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and The Independent. As a freelancer, she has written for Bloomberg, Forbes, and The Washington Post, and is a founding editor of The Persistent, a platform amplifying women's voices. A frequent guest on BBC and other networks, she also teaches at Columbia University. Josie's book,? Women, Money, Power: The Rise and Fall of Economic Equality, was named an Amazon Best Book of the Year So Far in 2024. She was a 2020/2021 Knight-Bagehot Fellow at Columbia Journalism School.?
Heather McCulloch is a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute and a leader in gender economic equity. She founded Women in the Economy (WE) and supports the Aspen FSP Future of Wealth portfolio. With over 20 years of experience, she has led efforts to close gender and racial wealth gaps through initiatives like Closing the Women’s Wealth Gap and Asset Building Strategies. Her work has been featured in outlets such as CNN Business and Fast Company. Heather holds an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from UC Berkeley.
Summary: In our November 2024 SheMoney Newsletter, What’s Next for Women and the Economy, we explored this pivotal topic and continued the discussion with two remarkable experts during a one-hour LinkedIn Live conversation. Josie kicked off the discussion by sharing the inspiration behind her new book, highlighting key moments in history and landmark legislation that have shaped women’s economic rights and agency. From there, we delved into pressing issues grounded in rigorous research, including the gender wage gap, the care economy, the financial impact of restricted abortion access, and bridging the women’s health gap. This thought-provoking dialogue underscored both the strides we’ve made and the systemic barriers that remain, reminding us that achieving true economic equality isn’t just a goal—it’s a necessity. Let’s keep pushing forward together.
For a full list of links and sources from this LinkedIn live event, please refer to the Event Resource Guide.
Heather’s Report with Aspen Institute: Women in the Economy: Lifting of Women’s Voices, Wisdom, and Experience to Build a Gender Equitable World? - Aspen Institute?
Future Forward Stay A.I. Relevant, Boost Your Salary, Safeguard Your Career
December 9, 2024
Featured Expert: Shubhi Rao is a Global Executive, Board Member and Advisor who delivers strategic and operational leadership for dynamic and complex businesses including Alphabet/Google, Tesco, PwC, Tyco, and Ford and venture-backed businesses. First woman and person of color to hold the position of Treasurer at both Alphabet/Google and Tesco. Shubhi has leveraged her experience along with her keenness for data and technology to champion equality practices that uplift professional women. This has sparked her to found Uplevyl: a First-of-its-kind, women trained AI platform designed to bridge the gender gap in organizations.
Summary: In our final LinkedIn Live event of 2024, we explored the critical role A.I. and digital transformation will play in shaping the future of work. Joined by Shubhi Rao, founder of Uplevyl, we discussed how A.I. is already impacting industries and why it’s crucial for women to build digital acumen to stay competitive. We also covered the wealth creation opportunities arising in the A.I. space and how embracing these changes can lead to career advancement and job security. The key takeaway? Women who stay ahead of the digital curve will thrive in the evolving workplace. Want to know more about Uplevyl’s Accelerator Program? Check it out here.?
SheMoney Newsletter December 2024 featuring Shubhi: Are You Ready to Thrive in the Digital Age?
In closing....
I heartfelt thank you to ALL the incredible people who shared their time and expertise over the past year. And another thank you to my SheMoney team who make all things possible.
Once again, Happy New Year!
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Philanthropy Advisor | Family Giving and Next Generation Engagement Strategist | Systems Thinker and Social Impact Architect
1 个月What an incredible year! Can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon!
40 Over 40 | LinkedIn Top Events Voice | Top Women Founders to Watch in 2025 | 2024 International Women Entrepreneurs of the Year Award | Women of Inspiration? Award 2024 | Top 10 Influential Women Leaders of 2024
1 个月Go Green!!! Jacki Zehner Love to see this!
Founder at SheMoney + Investor + Former Partner, Goldman Sachs
1 个月Indeed! Happy New Year.
Alignment activator Curiosity cultivator Growth generator
1 个月Clearly the power of green abounds!!
Expert Event Planner & Account Manager: Organized, Detail-Oriented, and Relationship-Focused
2 个月Joining the SheMoney team in 2024 was truly one of the greatest honors and joys of the year. Reflecting on this past year, I’m so inspired by this creative and mission-driven team and proud of the impact we’ve made in so many women+ lives. I can’t wait to see what we achieve in 2025!??