Revisiting our 2021 discussion on women, wealth, and innovation, and why the message is even more relevant today.
We’re revisiting a 2021 conversation featuring Rialto Markets CEO Shari Noonan on theDWealthMuse Podcast with host Dara Albright. The episode explored a McKinsey & Company report forecasting an unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfer with American women expected to control much of the $30 trillion in baby boomer financial assets by 2030. Four years later, that shift appears to be progressing as female investors continue to play an expanding role in drive innovation across private markets. As technology evolves, from crowdfunding to digital securities, access to private capital is broadening, supporting more diverse participation in markets once limited to institutions.
- According to recent research, the U.S. may experience an estimated $124 trillion inter-generational wealth transfer by 2048, and women are expected to inherit a significant majority of it (e.g., one source estimates close to $100 trillion of that will go to women). Women Will Inherit Most of the $124T Great Wealth Transfer
- Between 2018 and 2023, global financial wealth grew ~43 percent while the portion controlled by women rose ~51 percent; indicating women’s wealth share is growing faster than overall wealth. (McKinsey & Company).
- Private Equity International, in their piece titled “Women in Private Funds 2025” highlights that the private equity industry is placing increasing focus on gender diversity, both at the GP/talent level and in LP allocation/decision-making. Private Equity International
- While it notes there is “still plenty of work to be done,” the scale of female talent is rising alongside growth in the private markets sector. Private Equity International
- This underscores the premise that women are becoming more influential in private or alternative asset-classes.
- Forbes article “Women Are Redefining Wealth, And The Future Of Investing”, July 2025 highlights that women investors are helping to shape a “purpose-driven financial movement.” Forbes
- It states that women in the U.S. already control $10.9 trillion in assets (as of that piece) and that they are positioned to inherit a large share of wealth Forbes
- It also notes that women are backing women-led start-ups, companies that focus on pay-equity, etc., furthering women’s focus on innovation and participation in new asset classes.
Rialto Markets participates in this evolving landscape by providing technology and regulatory infrastructure that supports companies seeking to raise capital, operate marketplaces, and enable secondary trading within transparent and compliant frameworks. Revisit the original discussion: Episode 36: The Economic Impact of B2C Crowdfunding