Fondsfrauen-Gipfel 2026: Inspiration & Information für gut 500 Frauen aus der Finanzbranche

Great atmosphere, highly relevant topics, and a significantly expanded scope, this is how the Fondsfrauen Summit 2026, which took place on March 10 in Frankfurt, can be summed up. More than 500 women came together to network, exchange insights, and share career advice. A day full of connection and inspiration.

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Key points at a glance

No sign of a shortage of women in the financial industry, over 500 attended the Fondsfrauen Summit 2026.
Political and legal developments, especially in the United States, are viewed critically by participants.
A survey conducted on-site shows that while younger women perceive little change in their career opportunities in recent months, more senior women are increasingly aware of the glass ceiling.
A wide range of Master Classes covering trending topics such as private markets, career advice, recruiting insights, and AI in everyday work.
Powerful impulses on three key topics shaping the industry: longevity, new work and new leadership, and next-generation investing, customer expectations in 2026.
Three parallel workshops for young professionals.
Isabel Bonacker, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board and co-owner of BABOR BEAUTY GROUP, spoke about the specific challenges in family businesses.

When more than 500 women from the financial industry come together at the Fondsfrauen Summit 2026, a very special energy emerges. They network, exchange ideas, and support each other with career advice. In short, they engage seriously with the topics, while also enjoying the experience.

A Stronger Headwind from the U.S. Is Noticeable

Political and legal developments, particularly in the United States, were also discussed. These developments are leading many internationally active companies to adjust their diversity strategies. “Overall, we observe that gender diversity is being communicated more cautiously in many organizations, and targets are partly being reduced. We view this critically,” explains Anne Connelly, co-founder and managing director of Fondsfrauen. She emphasizes that diverse teams benefit everyone, companies and employees alike, both men and women.

Survey Shows: Senior Women in Europe Perceive Increasing Headwinds

A survey conducted on-site among around 500 participants explored how women in the financial industry perceive the changing climate.

Broadly speaking, the approximately 250 women who took part in the survey, most of whom work in Europe, see little change in their own career opportunities in recent months. However, this perception applies mainly to younger women. The more women advance to senior levels, the more clearly they perceive the glass ceiling that still exists. A more detailed report on the survey results will follow at a later stage.

Master Classes & Three Key Topics

In addition to the survey, which provided valuable insights, this year’s event featured a particularly diverse range of Master Classes, including trends such as private markets, career advice, recruiting insights, and AI in the workplace.

On the main stage, powerful impulses were delivered on three key topics currently shaping the industry:

Longevity as a Strategic Asset – what longer lifespans and career phases mean for organizations, leadership, and personal performance
New Work & New Leadership – how AI and social media are transforming the way we work
Next-Gen Investing: Customer Expectations 2026 – how product providers and distribution teams can adapt to changing client expectations

Three parallel young professional workshops, along with valuable tips on the strategic use of LinkedIn and considerations around AI in asset management, rounded off the day.

As an out-of-the-box speaker, Isabel Bonacker, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board and co-owner of BABOR BEAUTY GROUP, spoke about what it means to join a family business and lead it into the future. The fact that the company, which has existed for over 70 years, still feels so fresh today is partly thanks to her.

It was a day full of connection and inspiration, and further proof that women in the financial industry have a strong voice through the Fondsfrauen network.

Our photo gallery can be found here.
Please remember to credit image rights when using the photos. Access to the images is limited to four weeks.

Anke Dembowski

Anke Dembowski is a financial journalist and author of various investment fund-related and other financial books. She is also a co-founder of the "Fondsfrauen" network.