Redefining Finance: A Journey from Numbers to Meaning

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Toronto chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When I took my first finance class in undergrad, I thought I’d uncovered the ultimate game. Stocks, bonds, capital markets—the mechanics of making money grow fascinated me. And yes, I loved that thrill. Who wouldn’t? The allure of financial markets, the rush of trading, and the prospect of wealth creation felt intoxicating. Yet, amidst the excitement, something was missing.

The Search for Meaning

Portfolio management captivated me, but it didn’t feel like my calling. I found myself questioning the purpose behind the numbers. I didn’t just want to move money; I wanted it to mean something. It wasn’t enough for me to contribute to a client’s bottom line or enhance a firm’s returns. I yearned for a deeper impact—one that resonated with the world around me.

It took time to articulate that quiet frustration. I realized that even if I mastered the game and won big, the question lingered: what was the point if the money never reached the people and places that truly needed it? This introspection led me on a quest to find a more meaningful intersection of finance and social impact.

Women Revolutionizing Finance

The turning point in my journey came when I discovered the women quietly revolutionizing finance. These trailblazers weren’t just playing the game better; they were rewriting its rules entirely. Their stories didn’t just inspire me—they gave me permission to demand more from my career and to envision a finance landscape that prioritized social good.

Marlene Engelhorn: The Heiress Who Redistributed Power

Marlene Engelhorn, an Austrian millionaire, inherited €25 million. Instead of merely investing it, she transformed her wealth into a weapon for systemic change. Engelhorn donated 90% of her fortune to initiatives focused on climate justice and tax equality, funding grassroots movements across Europe.

Why does this matter? Engelhorn’s actions illustrate that capital isn’t solely about accumulation; it’s about legacy. Her “Tax Me Now” initiative pressures governments to close loopholes that benefit the ultra-rich, challenging the status quo and advocating for a fairer financial system.

Roshaneh Zafar: The Microfinance Revolutionary

In 1996, Roshaneh Zafar made a bold move by leaving her World Bank job to launch the Kashf Foundation, Pakistan’s first microfinance institution dedicated to women. Since its inception, Kashf has disbursed over $1.2 billion in loans, boasting an impressive 99% repayment rate. These loans have funded everything from solar panels to female-run textile cooperatives.

The ripple effect of Zafar’s work is profound. According to UNDP data, every $1 lent to a Kashf borrower increases household incomes by an astonishing 347% within three years. This demonstrates the transformative power of microfinance and its ability to uplift entire communities.

Simone Maini: The RegTech Disruptor

Simone Maini, as CEO of Elliptic, didn’t just join the crypto boom; she reinvented its accountability. Her company develops blockchain forensic tools that track illicit transactions, aiding banks and governments in shutting down dark-web markets.

Maini’s work highlights that compliance isn’t merely about navigating red tape; it’s about building ethical infrastructure for the digital age. This perspective inspired me to delve deeper into the world of FinTech, where technology can be harnessed for social good.

A New Vision for Finance

Learning about these remarkable women was a pivotal moment for me. Suddenly, finance transformed from a numbers game into a powerful tool for directing money, technology, and intellect toward projects with significant social and intrinsic value. Each ESG report, every RegTech algorithm, and every micro-loan became an opportunity to redirect capital where it mattered most.

Now, as I pursue my Master’s in FinTech, I have a clear focus: the intersection of technology and sustainable finance. I’m eager to explore climate finance and ESG integration through programs like Imperial’s Centre for Climate Finance and Investment. The Greenhouse Accelerator particularly appeals to me because it supports tangible solutions—exactly the kind of work I aspire to be part of.

In this evolving landscape, I’m excited to contribute to a future where finance is not just about profit, but about purpose.