Investing in Women, Accelerating Progress – Advice from UOW Alumnae for Women in Business Development!

Today is International Women's Day. The pursuit of gender equality has always been a goal of the international community, as in many countries and regions, men and women are still not equal at all. The theme of this year's United Nations International Women's Day is 'Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress' -- investing in women to accelerate progress. So, how do the successful female alumni of UOW understand this year's International Women's Day theme from a business perspective? How to achieve equal development in business. Let's hear their understanding.

The development of women in the fintech industry

Ivy ZhouPhD is a Senior Lecturer in Finance at the University of Wollongong(UOW)researching the dynamics of financial markets, especially digital currencies and asset tokenization. She has studied, worked, and conducted research in the UK, China, and Australia. But the warm academic atmosphere at the University of Wollongong attracted her to stay. She said, 'The University of Wollongong places great emphasis on mentoring, teaching innovation, and research excellence, making it an ideal destination for my academic journey.'

Dr. Zhou's career development proves the importance of providing a supportive work environment for women in the fintech field. She is particularly grateful for the guidance of her mentor, Professor Millicent Chang, at the University of Wollongong. She said, 'My career highlights the significant support I have received, which has been crucial for my continuous growth and unleashing my potential, especially during those critical transition periods. Similarly, it also reveals how important it is to have strong female mentors in academia.'

Throughout her career, Dr. Zhou has witnessed a positive shift towards inclusivity and diversity in the financial industry, but she still believes there is a long way to go in narrowing the gender pay gap in leadership positions, ensuring equal opportunities for women, and integrating them into emerging markets. She also pointed out that there are still very few women working in fintech.

Dr. Zhou believes that 'Investing in women, accelerating progress' emphasizes the importance of providing fair opportunities and support for women, especially at key moments in their careers, such as after graduation, during maternity leave, and other important times.

Looking to the future, Dr. Zhou encourages women to pursue their interests in finance and economics. She said, 'Leverage your unique skills, find the right mentors and like-minded peers. Never underestimate the impact of your voice in driving change. Use all available resources for learning -- never limit your knowledge or growth. Embrace lifelong learning and stay adaptable -- to the ever-changing financial landscape.'

Empowering women to achieve financial freedom

University of Wollongong alumnaDeborah Powerloves business studies and is committed to helping female business owners with their finances. After obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce,Deborahcontinued to work as a junior accountant at KPMG(KMPG)She then led and managed the finance teams of the following companies, includingLVMHand ManpowerGroup; and founded her two companies:Your Finance TeamandThe Female CFO.Deborahbelieves that the University of Wollongong gave her the best initiation into the fields of finance and business.In Deborah's consulting career, she has worked with several business owners and witnessed several women trying to balance entrepreneurship with traditional gender roles, an experience that prompted her to start a business to help women achieve financial independence and freedom of choice.

Currently, Deborah's mission is to ensure that women in business can secure generous salaries and pensions for themselves, have surplus to invest in thriving companies, and possess the financial freedom they desire.

The impact of women owning wealth

Deborah has personally experienced many changes in her financial career. She recalls a time when women had to wear skirts and stockings to client meetings, and pants were not allowed! Although we have made great strides in overcoming such inequalities, there are still ways to ensure that women's voices are heard, seen, and given equal opportunities in the workplace. Deborah believes that childcare services are a good starting point.

Deborah said: 'I still believe that there is a long way to go to ensure that women can continue to work after having children.' However, she believes that education is our greatest tool for empowerment. In terms of business, schools should teach financial literacy and the basics of running a business. Women in business are often overwhelmed or afraid of the numbers in their businesses, mainly because they do not understand what these numbers mean. This needs to change.

She reflected on how her education at the University of Wollongong gave her more confidence to pursue a career in finance and encouraged businesses, communities, and individuals to invest in women to create a brighter future, saying:

'By investing in women's education and welfare, we can help build businesses and communities, ensuring we can create a better world and future.'As Deborah said: 'When we empower women to achieve economic independence, the whole society benefits from better communities, wealthier families, and a brighter future.'

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