Invest like a girl

St Margaret’s College Alumnae from the New Zealand Super Fund and Craigs Investment Partners joined our students, their families and wider community to demystify the world of investment and to provide insight into careers in the investment industry.  

Alice Mew (Year 9 1989) and Poppy Cox (Year 9 2014) of the New Zealand Super Fund, and Annabel Shand (Year 9 1980) of Craigs Investment Partners encouraged our community to educate themselves, invest in what matters to them, and take charge of their future. 

With one of the biggest transfers of wealth in history already underway from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Generation X, it is predicted that women will control much of this capital. According to Alice, women tend to make excellent investors. They trade less, stay invested longer, and are more likely to invest in companies that align with their values.

Poppy’s advice? Start now, even with just $10. Harness the power of compounding, diversify your investments, and stay in for the long haul. Whether it’s shares, bonds, real estate, cryptocurrency, or art and collectibles, there are many entry points. Tools like Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and sustainable investment options such as companies committed to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, B Corps (businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency), or impact funds are great ways to get started, especially through user-friendly apps.

Annabel reassured our audience that the industry is now more regulated than ever to protect investors, and resources like the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) help investors stay safe and informed.

Alice, Annabel and Poppy believe that careers in investment also offer exciting opportunities for young women. It is a field where diversity of thought is valued and curiosity is key, and specific financial qualifications are not required for entry level roles. 

We are grateful to Alice, Annabel and Poppy for sharing their advice and experiences with our community, empowering our students to secure their financial future.