By Jodi Penn Rives
Business Development Officer
We are in the midst of one of the largest wealth transitions in modern history. By 2030, women are expected to control $30 trillion in financial assets in the United States.
During Women’s History Month, it’s a natural time to reflect—not just on progress, but on how women are shaping the way wealth is built, managed, and shared.
Several factors are driving this shift. Women tend to live longer and often step into financial leadership later in life. Divorce and inheritance play a role, while more women are also creating wealth through their own careers and businesses.
What’s changing isn’t just who holds wealth—but how it’s approached. More and more, it’s being led with intention.
That often shows up in four ways:
- Building what lasts
- Protecting what matters
- Passing down values, not just assets
- Giving with purpose
Building What Lasts
“You are one decision away from a completely different life.” – Mel Robbins
Building wealth doesn’t happen all at once. It’s shaped by everyday decisions—how we earn, spend, save, and invest.
For many women, those decisions take on new meaning during life transitions. After the death of my husband, I found myself stepping into full financial responsibility for my family. It was overwhelming at times, but it also pushed me to learn, ask questions, and become more engaged.
I went from being a passenger to taking the lead.
That shift is a common thread. Building what lasts isn’t just about growing assets—it’s about making steady, thoughtful choices that create stability and open doors over time.
Protecting What Matters
“For women, risk isn’t about volatility—it’s about protecting the people, choices, and futures that depend on us.” – Tara N. Adams
If building wealth is about growth, protecting it is about clarity.
Risk can feel abstract, especially when it’s defined in technical terms. But at its core, it’s personal. It’s about how much uncertainty we’re comfortable with—and what we’re trying to protect.
For many, the hardest part is simply getting started. The language of investing can feel unfamiliar, and that can lead to hesitation. But waiting too long to act can be a risk in itself.
With time, experience, and the right guidance, those decisions become clearer. Markets will always fluctuate, but long-term goals tend to matter more than short-term movement.
Stewardship Across Generations
“Stewardship was modeled by my parents in their everyday choices—how they saved, how they gave, and how they taught me to do the same.” – Jodi Penn Rives
For many of us, our earliest lessons about money didn’t come from spreadsheets—they came from watching.
My parents lived with quiet discipline. They gave first, saved consistently, and kept track of everything by hand. It wasn’t complicated, but it was consistent.
And it worked.
What they modeled wasn’t just financial habits—it was a mindset. One that shaped how I think about responsibility, planning, and caring for what we’ve been given.
That’s what stewardship really is. It’s not just about passing down wealth—it’s about passing down values.
Sustaining a Legacy
“The joy of giving is the greatest joy of all.” – Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
Legacy is often thought of as what we leave behind. But it’s also what we choose to support along the way.
For many families, giving becomes a natural extension of everything else they’ve built. It reflects what matters to them—whether that’s community, education, faith, or opportunity for others.
There’s no single approach. Some plan for it formally, others give more organically. But in each case, it’s intentional.
And that intention is what makes it last.
Wherever you are in your financial journey, small, thoughtful decisions add up. Over time, they shape not just outcomes—but impact.
And increasingly, women are leading that process with clarity, purpose, and intention.
