Bloomberg Women’s Buy-Side Network Discusses Brazil’s Economy & Diversity

The Bloomberg Women’s Buy-Side Network of Brazil drew more than 70 women in financial services recently to discuss Brazil’s economy and the status of women in the asset management industry.

The event called, “Female Empowerment and Economic Trends: A New Horizon for Female Managers”, featured a panel discussion on the 2025 Outlook for the Brazilian economy with Fernanda Guardado, Head of Research at BNP Paribas, Milena Landgraf, Partner and CIO at Jubarte Capital, and Ana Rodela, CFA, Head of Credit at Bradesco Asset Management.

Brazil’s Central Bank has been successful in controlling inflation, but the Brazilian stock exchange (B3) needs to recover and align with the global market, the group said. The United States continues to be a haven for investors and there is great interest in the upcoming U.S. elections. “We are taking a short-term approach, with 80% of our risk allocated to the international market, reflecting an opportunistic view of global opportunities,” said Landgraf.

The status of women in the asset management industry was another major topic of discussion at the meeting. Attendees said there is still a lack of female representation in senior  leadership positions. The biggest challenges to getting promoted are cultural barriers and gender stereotypes and ineffective inclusion and diversity policies. Balancing professional demands with personal life was also a concern, the group said.

“According to the most recent official data available, only 6% of professionals certified for the role of investment fund managers are women in Brazil, and only 25% of individual investors in the Brazilian B3 are women. We still have a long path to gender equity”, said Karina Azevedo, Head of Legal, Compliance, ESG, and Philanthropy at Dahlia Capital, during the opening remarks of the event.

Many women globally face an uphill battle to get basic rights and still face gender violence and murder, said psychoanalyst, teacher and author Maria Homem in her presentation, “Feminine and Sisterhood.”

The BWBN Brazil Chapter also welcomed 10 young women from the PROA Institute, an NGO dedicated to providing personal and professional development opportunities for low-income students from public schools.

About BWBN

The Bloomberg Women’s Buy-Side Network (BWBN) is an informal community for women in asset management. Launched in 2018 in Singapore, the network has expanded to local chapters in Brazil, India, Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia/New Zealand and is helmed by some of the most influential buy-side leaders in the region. BWBN convenes women in the buy side on global investment trends, serves to promote inclusion in the industry, and, through active mentorship, educates the younger generation on the diversity of buy-side careers.

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