Networking, Mentorship, and Market Trends: Central Pillars of Women & Wealth

The event also featured a roundtable discussion that addressed the growing role of private market investments in portfolios. Janis Mandarino, Senior VP, Portfolio Manager at Clarion Partners; Emma Inger, Director at Lexington Partners; and Sara Araghi, Director at Franklin Venture Partners—all firms under the Franklin umbrella, with more than $270 billion in alternative assets under management globally—shared their vision and strategy in markets such as real estate and private equity. The professionals also highlighted the key role women play in a segment that demands creativity and the ability to anticipate trends.

Before the luncheon held in the Mona Lisa room of the hotel, the highlight of the day was the closing keynote by Venezuelan Michelle Poler, social entrepreneur, founder of Hello Fear, and branding strategist.

Poler delivered an inspiring message about the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and taking risks to reach one’s full potential. Her talk encouraged the audience to transform fear into a tool for growth, reminding them that courage is essential to drive meaningful change both in personal life and the professional sphere. The women in attendance ended up dancing to reggaeton and celebrating the joy of shared energy.

A Catalyst for Change
“Women & Wealth is more than an event. It aspires to become a catalyst for change,” said Dolores Ayarra, VP Sales Executive at Franklin Templeton, to Funds Society. She opened the day’s activities and is the primary promoter of the initiative within the company.

“It is a gathering designed to keep driving change in the professional landscape of our industry,” she stated. “Through dialogue, the exchange of knowledge, and professional and personal experiences, our goal with Women & Wealth is to offer a space where women can connect, exchange ideas, learn, be inspired, and explore new ways to advance their professional careers.”

According to Ayarra, initiatives like this promote new professional development opportunities for women through the expansion of networks and access to mentorships—factors she considers key to helping reduce representation gaps in the industry.

Among the topics addressed at the event were the representation and advancement of women in wealth management, some of the most effective talent acquisition strategies, the impact of compensation and team structure, and how to leverage the transfer of wealth to women for the sector’s growth.

“The participation of women in wealth management is growing, although challenges still remain—especially at the mid-career level, where the dropout rate is higher. We are seeing more programs focused on attracting and retaining talent, but success depends on creating flexible and supportive environments, as well as addressing compensation structures,” Ayarra reflected. “The increase in wealth held by women continues to rise, and firms have a unique opportunity to adapt and better meet the needs of this demographic group,” she concluded.