The SOM Experience — Yale School of Management

Mary Ellen Iskenderian ’86 had spent decades working in global finance before she became the president and chief executive officer of Women’s World Banking, which works to make financial resources accessible to low-income women in developing countries. But when she was recruited for the position in 2006, she realized that over the course of her career, including 17 years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), she had never asked a banker about gender equality issues.

Iskenderian had experienced gender disparities in her own career—she had been one of only two women currency traders in her first job after college—but “I didn’t have a gender focus,” she remembers. After gender appeared in the frame, however, it dominated her view.

“Once you see the differences, you can’t unsee that,” she says.

Continue Reading

Women’s Financial Inclusion - Time To Ignore Men (and Their Data) — Forbes

In today's world, many problems can be traced back to the desire for power, which is often associated with male ego. Power often leads to conflicts, and these conflicts usually revolve around a man or a group of men seeking to exert control over others. However, power alone isn't enough - money plays a crucial role in perpetuating this power dynamic. To understand how men maintain their power - intentionally or otherwise, we need to follow the money.

This article isn't an investigative expose on megalomaniacs and their financial dealings. Instead, inspired by a conversation with Mary Ellen Iskenderian, CEO of Women’s World Banking (WWB) and author of "There’s Nothing Micro about a Billion Women" I focus on why men find it easier to access financial resources compared to women and how artificial intelligence (AI) can both help and hinder women's financial inclusion.

The U.S. Gender Pay Gap Impacts Women throughout their Lives — Mary Ellen Iskenderian

Last Tuesday, March 8th, we celebrated International Women’s Day, recognizing the leadership and accomplishments of women around the world. So, there is more than a little irony in the fact that just one week later, Tuesday, March 15th, is #EqualPayDay here in the United States. And this, I’m afraid, is not a cause for celebration, because Equal Pay Day represents just how far into the new year the average American woman would have to work before she earned the same amount that the average American man was paid last year.

Continue Reading