From Classroom to C-Suite: How Gies College of Business Empowers Women in Finance Shifting dynamics Imagine a future where women are leading the charge in finance, shattering glass ceilings, and redefining success. Gies College of Business at the
• Natalie Heth discovered her love of finance through her central Illinois high school’s business academy. This junior is now honing her skills as a senior analyst for Gies University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is helping turn this Business’ highly competitive Investment Management vision into reality. Academy. Through its innovation programs, purpose-driven • Elizabeth Kuruvilla was inspired by how her father curriculum, and abundance of networking opportunities, helped families solve problems as an accountant in India. Gies Business is helping women find their place in the world The Gies Business master’s in finance program exposed of finance. With programs her to multiple career like the Women in Finance paths that will help her Academy, the College is continue his legacy of Gies taught me how to put providing opportunities and making a meaningful myself out there in places opening doors for women – impact in people’s lives. where I’m uncomfortable. showing them that a career These four women Neela Gilbert (FIN, BA ’26) in finance is not a one-sizeexemplify a growing fits-all proposition. trend that includes more When women bring than 400 Gies Business their passion for finance to Gies Business, the College ignites undergraduate and advanced degree students pursuing opportunities, helping them hone their academic success careers in finance, including traditionally male-dominated into fulfilling and purposeful careers. areas like investment banking. Women now comprise nearly Now, a new generation of women is intent on meeting the one-third of Gies Business finance degree earners, and they challenge. A few of the many examples include: credit the College’s curriculum and learning community • Evelina Astranskas, a junior and president of the Gies for giving them the confidence and skills to break down Women in Finance Academy, spent high school helping persistent gender barriers in the financial services industry. her immigrant father calculate loads as a truck dispatcher. Initially nervous about how she would measure up in • Neela Gilbert, intrigued by finance during the pandemic, the finance field, Gies Business finance major Neela Gilbert picked up the book How Money Works and then asked said, “Gies taught me how to put myself out there in places her dad to open a custodial trading account. In 2024, this where I’m uncomfortable. I’ve become very comfortable junior gained a global perspective on investment through with assimilating into a male-dominated profession without a 10-day immersion with Cape Town entrepreneurs and losing who I am.” Gilbert will intern this summer in Wealth small business owners. Management at BMO Harris in Chicago.
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