Leading with Purpose in Asset Management and Sustainable Innovation

As we celebrate Women's Month, we shine a light on leaders driving change across the investment landscape. Marie Dzanis ' career spans more than three decades in executive leadership roles across wealth and asset management, with expertise ranging from business transformation and governance to sustainable investing and philanthropy. Recognized as one of the “Top Women in Asset Management” and a “Woman to Watch,” she has consistently broken ground in an industry still striving for greater diversity at senior levels.

In our recent conversation, Marie reflected on the moments that shaped her leadership philosophy—one built on resilience, impact, and aligning professional success with personal purpose.

Defining Moments: Leading Through Challenge

Asked to name a defining moment in her 35-year career, Marie emphasized that careers are shaped as much by failures as by wins.

“Adversity builds character. The moments that push you to the edge—those are the ones that define who you become as a leader.”

Her advice to those starting out? Seek out difficult, often overlooked work and make it your niche.

“You will always be paid more to do something that’s hard or tedious. Master that, and you'll set yourself apart.”

One area she sees as a game-changer for women in finance is understanding how businesses generate revenue.

“If you want to future-proof your career, learn how to impact the P&L. The closer you are to revenue, the more secure your job is.”

Yet Marie’s philosophy goes beyond technical skills. She encourages leaders to tackle the hardest task first each day and consistently stretch outside their comfort zone—a practice that has guided her own rise through the ranks.

Sustainable Innovation: The Next Frontier

Marie is an advocate for leadership in sustainable practices with tangible impact, particularly in regenerative agriculture, clean energy, and maritime sustainability—sectors where she believes scalable innovations can reshape industries.

She highlights three areas of opportunity:

• Regenerative Farming: A critical evolution beyond organic farming, with the potential to replenish soil health at a time when experts warn the world may have only 60 harvests left. Marie highlights Pocono Organics, founded by Ashley Walsh , as a standout example. The farm uses Regenerative Organic Certified methods to build soil health, create nutrient-dense crops, and make farmland more resilient to climate change. The approach also sequesters carbon by disturbing the soil as little as possible—a scalable model for the future of agriculture.
• Green Hydrogen Storage: Hydrogen is one of the most promising low-carbon energy sources, but storage remains a challenge. Marie follows Rux Energy in Australia, whose CEO Dr Jehan Kanga is driving innovation in nanoporous materials to slash hydrogen storage costs tenfold by 2030. With Dr. Marlene Kanga as Chair, the company is an example of female leadership pioneering the energy transition.
• Maritime Sustainability: An often-overlooked sector where small operational shifts can yield outsized environmental benefits. Marie mentors @Moira Shott, a university student whose project on maritime sustainability proposed simple, cost-effective solutions for shippers—proof that the next generation is bringing fresh perspectives to global challenges.

Balancing Career Success with Philanthropic Purpose

Alongside her professional achievements, Marie has woven philanthropy into the fabric of her leadership journey. Her work with BlinkNow Foundation —a sustainable school and women’s centre in Nepal—has been a transformative experience, offering her a powerful reminder of what truly matters.

“Nothing at the office is an emergency. Feeding families, giving children a home—that’s an emergency. Office politics is not.”

Yet she cautions against the pressure to do it all.

“Balance requires focus. Go deep on a few causes that truly resonate with your values, rather than spreading yourself too thin.”

Marie’s personal method involves creating two lists:

• On the left: Things you love to do
• On the right: Things you aren’t naturally good at or don’t like to do

By stepping away and returning later, she identifies themes and uses those insights to lean into her strengths—whether in her career or philanthropy.

Diversity, Culture, and the Future of Leadership

Marie’s perspective on diversity goes beyond visible representation. She sees diversity of thought as the most powerful yet underutilized tool in corporate governance.

“The real benefit to clients is when boards bring in people who think differently—even when those views are less popular.”

She advocates for stronger mechanisms like blind feedback loops and exit interviews to give leadership teams an unfiltered view into company culture—especially for underrepresented groups.

Another area requiring urgent attention is manager training.

“People leave managers, not companies. Investing in how managers lead—not just what they deliver—could transform retention, especially for diverse talent.”

A Leadership Legacy Rooted in Purpose

Marie’s career is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership—one that intertwines professional success with personal conviction. Whether driving business transformation, championing sustainable innovation, or uplifting communities through philanthropy, her guiding principle remains the same:

“Find what you love. Understand what drives revenue. Then make the highest-impact difference you can.”

As the industry looks to the future, Marie's message is clear: the most lasting legacies will be built not just on what we achieve, but on how we choose to show up—for our clients, our colleagues, and the world around us.