Highlights from the Women's Forum. Watch the replays.

Values, money and the pursuit of more intentional lives

In the last few years, the world has changed in fundamental ways. Everyone has a point of view about those changes, but we can all agree it’s been a catalyst for reevaluation on every level. We discovered, for women especially, it has stirred a desire to focus on a greater sense of purpose. Here’s how.


What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
Jane Goodall

Our latest insights

Women are making deliberate choices to achieve their purpose

Nearly

9 in 10

believe money is a tool to effect change

This is reflected in their current actions, as a large majority of women have been involved in both charitable giving and volunteering over the past year. They are also using their purchasing power and career choices to make an impact.

94%

Donated time and money in the last year

73%

Made a purchase that aligns with their values

69%

Chose a career aligned with their values

Philanthropic support has increased in the last two years

7 in 10

increased their commitment to giving in the past two years

Women across all generations support a broad range of causes, including addressing poverty, educational/children’s programs and the environment. And even among the half of married women who defer to spouses on investments, nearly all are engaged in giving.

Charitable giving is more in my wheelhouse than my husband’s. I enjoy making these decisions and seeing the impact of our contributions.
Nina, 62

Most women want to align their investing with their values

79%

say environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is appealing

Three in four women expect ESG investments to have comparable or better returns than traditional investing. However, less than half hold any ESG investments in their portfolios.

You can make an impact by investing in companies who share your values and support a purpose you are passionate about.
Emma, 40

The vast majority of women recognize the power of financial engagement

agree that being involved in long-term financial planning can enable a greater impact

The majority of women agree that money is a tool that can be used to help fulfill their purpose. And 82% believe they can pursue a more meaningful life without having to sacrifice their own financial well-being.

The more engaged you are in managing your finances, the more you can choose how to use your money for things that are important to you.
Amelia, 60

Spotlight on women who lead

While the number of women who defer investment decisions to their spouses remains stubbornly above 50%, there has been some progress. The proportion of women who take the lead on these decisions has increased from 21% to 26% over the past four years. These women use multiple vehicles to effect change, including ESG, venture capital and venture philanthropy.

26%

Women who lead on financial decisions are on the rise in 2022

I spent 40 years helping countries improve their natural resource management. Now I use our donor-advised fund to continue this work.
Barbara, 72

Own Your Worth Women's Forum

The launch of our newest research, Women on Purpose, included a special forum, spotlighting how exceptional women are using their financial clout, time and purchasing power to lead purpose-driven lives through innovative social impact, strategic giving and enlightened advocacy.

Introduction

Women on Purpose introduction

Paula Polito, Vice Chairwoman, UBS Global Wealth Management with Dr. Elizabeth Dale, PhD, professor of philanthropic studies and nonprofit leadership, introduce groundbreaking findings of newest Own your worth report.

The Advocate

The Advocate

Dominique Dawes, three-time Olympian and Olympic Gold Medalist, on what it means to strive for excellence.

The Innovators

The Innovators

Asha Curran, Co-founder and CEO of GivingTuesday, and Alison Moore, CEO, Comic Relief US, on being frontline philanthropy innovators.

The Entrepreneur

The Entrepreneur

Komal Ahmad, Founder of Copia, on how she is using technology to solve hunger and food waste across North America.

The Leader

The Leader

Melissa Beste, Akris Global CEO, on purposeful leadership.

The Real MVP

The Real MVP

Dr. Wanda Durant on why she’s an MVP of giving.

The Magnifiers

The Magnifiers

Andine Sutarjadi, Asian Women Giving Circle Steering Committee and Deborah McManus, Co-founder, WellMet Philanthropy on the power of giving circles.

The Torch Bearer

    The Torch Bearer

    Marlo Thomas, award-winning actress and humanitarian, on a lifetime of giving as the fundraising force behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

    Explore more

    Sustainable/Inclusive Investing

    Reimagine the power of people and capital to create a world that’s fair, sustainable and allows everyone the opportunity to thrive.

    Family Advisory & Philanthropy

    We help make it simpler for you and your family to manage your philanthropy and maximize your impact.

    Optimus Foundation

    Impactful philanthropy—we deliver breakthrough solutions to pressing social and environmental issues.


    Research and insights

    This is just the latest of our ongoing efforts to explore the evolving relationship between women and money.

    See below for a complete list of our previous Own Your Worth reports as well as additional research.

    Women and wealth events

    Highlights from women who share what they’ve learned about relationships, money, financial empowerment and investing in yourself.

    Own Your Worth Event Highlights

    Check out highlights from some of our recent Own Your Worth events with names you might recognize.

    Women on Purpose

    Click here to view highlights and replays of the 2022 Women on Purpose Forum in NYC

    IWD event

    International Women’s Day

    A special message celebrating the economic, political and cultural progress made by women.

    Real life, real stories

      Real life, real stories

      Candid conversations about the benefits of equal participation in financial matters—and the costs of not being involved.

      Own Your Worth video series

      • Why do women defer long-term financial decisions?
      • Why do men lead on long-term financial decisions?
      • The benefits of equal partnership
      • The costs of not being involved
      • Lessons learned 
      • Male allyship

      Paulina Porizkova

        Love and money do mix, with Paulina Porizkova

        Career. Marriage. Motherhood. Divorce. Widowhood. Model and author Paulina Porizkova has seen it all, and shares her advice for making sure you are taking control of your finances.

        Michelle Williams

        Breaking through

        Former Destiny’s Child singer and Grammy Award-winning megastar Michelle Williams talks about overcoming mental health challenges to gain clarity across every aspect of her life.

        Hear some of the powerful and personal insights revealed in her new book, Checking In.

        Her story could help you or someone you know.

        Laura Dern

          Touching audiences, changing Hollywood with Laura Dern

          Oscar Award-winning actor and producer Laura Dern shares how her fight for equal pay is breaking the glass ceiling in Hollywood, and how she talks money with her daughter.

          Own Your Worth 2020

            Own your worth 2020

            An all-star line-up—featuring Billie Jean King, Lisa Leslie, Paula Polito, Paulina Porizkova, Elaine Welteroth and Dr. Jill Yavorsky—shares their own stories of money, power and resilience.

            Financial participation

            Tips and tools, without jargon or complexity, starting with a quiz that identifies each person’s money language and ideas for how to begin your financial journey.

            Money Move Quiz

            Money Move Quiz

            What's your money language?

            We all know one size does not fit all, and that goes for your financial planning too. Learn your language and make the money move that’s right for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas.

            Top 10 Money Moves

            Welcome to the money table

            You belong in this seat, and you're just getting started. Big or small, your next money move takes you even further. Money moves are action steps that get you involved with your finances, and we have plenty for you to choose from. Wherever you are, there's a money move to make. So, let's get started.


            You can't make your dream come true if you don't know what it looks like. Figure out what truly matters to you, and what you want in your future. 


            These are the moves that keep you moving. They have a positive ripple effect across everything you do, and set you up for larger decisions.


            Make these moves today for the life you want tomorrow. A little bit of action now could grow and build, paying off later (in a big way).

            Tips


            When you're moving cash forward you may need cash to fall back on.

            Consider saving and keeping some cash for an adequate emergency fund.


            Money Talk

            When you open the lines of communication early and often, money talks don’t have to be contentious. UBS research shows that partners who share financial decisions feel more positive about the future and less anxious about money.1


            Cash Cushion

            If you need to help care for someone else down the road, you may want to increase your cash to cover their needs as well. Contact a Financial Advisor to help you plan.

            Money talk guides

             

             

            Money talk guides

            Our fill-in-the-blank money talk guides are the perfect way to organize your thoughts when it comes to commonly avoided conversations. Start planning now.

            Kickstart guides

            Money Beliefs 

            These conversations are tricky. You and your partner may have different ideas about what you want your money to do, both now and after you're gone. If you understand why your partner feels differently, it will be easier to come to an agreement. Use this Kickstart Guide to help start a conversation that gets to the root of both your values.

            New Financial Goals

            It’s time to reevaluate how your financial goals fit with the goals you have for your life. Meeting with a Financial Advisor can help you build a comprehensive plan and remove some anxieties around the unknown. Here is a list of questions to talk with a Financial Advisor about right now:

            Financial Dreams 

            Dreaming about what you want your money to do can be fun. Use this Financial Dreams Kickstart Guide to get going.

            Get in touch

            Together, we can help you pursue what’s important