Gender Equality Community
The Gender Equality Community helps member organisations translate inclusion into stronger leadership capability, broader talent pipelines and better organisational performance through collaboration, research and implementation-focused action.
Gender equality strengthens leadership, decision-making, retention and long-term performance.
Part of IiFE’s Cognitive Diversity Framework
Gender Equality is one of IiFE’s three practitioner communities. By improving access to opportunity, leadership progression and retention, organisations strengthen the range of perspectives that contribute to better decision-making and long-term performance.
Widening access to talent and opportunity so organisations benefit from a broader range of backgrounds and experiences.
Gender EqualityStrengthening progression, leadership and retention so firms benefit from the full depth of available talent.
Inclusive CultureCreating environments where people can challenge, contribute and perform at their best.
The community
The Gender Equality Community brings member firms together to share evidence-informed approaches, identify barriers and support initiatives that improve progression, representation and retention.
The community focuses on implementation-focused action across career development, leadership visibility, mentoring, sponsorship, parental careers and inclusive talent systems.
Passionate professionals from across the industry can participate in the community, bringing their experience, ideas and commitment to building stronger, more balanced teams.
Industry context
Across Europe, organisations are facing growing expectations around transparency, progression and pay equity. For asset management firms, this is not only a reporting question. It is connected to leadership representation, investment roles, retention, trust and long-term performance.
The Gender Equality Community helps member firms move beyond reporting towards evidence-informed action: understanding where gaps emerge, improving progression pathways and building more balanced leadership and investment pipelines.
A shared challenge for firms seeking stronger transparency, accountability and talent outcomes.
Community members
The Gender Equality Community brings together senior practitioners from member organisations across European asset management, contributing expertise in talent, leadership, human resources, investment and organisational development.
Community Lead
Head of People Office
Nordea
Head of Human Resources
CapMan Group
Impact and ESG Analyst
AXA IM
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HR Business Partner Group Functions
Zurich Insurance
Director Product Communications
Quoniam
Research in progress
In partnership with Copenhagen Business School, IiFE is developing evidence-led research examining how European asset management firms improve gender equality through measurable organisational practices.
The research will focus on concrete interventions that support progression, mentoring, data use, skills pathways, parental careers and leadership development, not only recruitment.
The aim is to create a implementation guide that helps firms design more inclusive policies, support parental careers and advance gender equality in leadership and investment roles.
Evidence-led research and examples for European asset management firms.
Case study approach
Member firm case studies will follow a consistent structure so the industry can compare, learn and apply what works across different European markets.
What challenge or imbalance was the organisation trying to address?
What targeted interventions were introduced across progression, mentoring, data, skills pathways or parental careers?
What early outcomes, barriers or lessons can help other firms take evidence-informed action?
Programme
Rise Across is IiFE’s cross-company, cross-country mentorship programme connecting professionals across European asset management.
Rise Across demonstrates how IiFE turns insight into implementation through cross-company collaboration.
The current pilot runs from June to November 2026, pairing participants across firms and countries for structured mentoring relationships that create lasting professional connections and broaden perspectives across the industry.
Enrolment for the current cohort is now closed. Register your interest below to be considered for future programmes.
Programme timeline
Internal promotion and sign-up open for mentors and mentees.
Participants matched based on profiles and preferences.
Participants notified of their match.
Online introduction session for mentors and mentees.
Formal close with reflections on impact.
Initiatives
Helping firms understand where progression stalls and what evidence-informed action can support advancement.
Supporting structured development opportunities across firms, countries and career stages.
Building stronger visibility, confidence and networks for women across European asset management.
Events
The launch of IiFE’s cross-company mentorship programme brought together mentors and mentees from across European asset management for the first time.
A milestone moment for the Gender Equality Community and the start of six months of structured cross-company mentoring relationships.
Community impact
The community focuses on the organisational conditions that help firms retain talent, strengthen progression and improve decision-making through broader leadership perspectives.
Supporting progression, visibility and leadership development across European asset management.
Helping firms create the conditions for people to grow, contribute and stay.
Strengthening the range of perspectives that inform leadership and business decisions.
How to join
The Gender Equality Community is open to IiFE member firms. Member organisations can nominate colleagues working across talent, inclusion, HR, investment leadership, business strategy or employee networks.
Passionate professionals from the industry who want to contribute to measurable progress can also express interest in participating through their organisation.
Join IiFE to access communities, research and member-only programmes.
Identify colleagues who can contribute to the community.
Join sessions, share practice and help move from intention to implementation.
Different Thinking. Better Outcomes.
Be part of a member community focused on evidence, collaboration and implementation across European asset management.
