Barbara Stewart, CFA

Barbara Stewart, CFA is one of the world’s leading researchers specializing in women and finance, focusing on real life financial behaviours and providing global insights into how smart women think and communicate. Her interest had its genesis during the 2009 financial crisis. Frustrated by media depictions of women as powerless victims lacking knowledge and confidence, Barbara was the pioneer in changing the global conversation around women and money.

Setting the record straight, she has researched, written and published an annual series of Rich Thinking® white papers, launching every International Women’s Day. These papers have changed the global conversation around women and finance, with Barbara’s interview-based research showing that women now make their own money, invest in their passions, and “are not risk averse, they are risk aware.”

In addition to her Rich Thinking research, Barbara uses her proprietary research skills to work as an Executive Interviewer on a project basis for global financial institutions seeking to gain a deeper understanding of their key stakeholders, both women and men.
Barbara is a sought after speaker, educator and evangelist on women, money and investing. Whether in an intimate setting, or as a keynote speaker to thousands, Barbara shares her research with women (and men) of all ages, reminding them that “women need finance, and finance needs women!”

Barbara is a columnist for the CFA Institute’s Enterprising Investor, Golden Girl Finance, and Canadian MoneySaver magazine. She is regularly consulted by print and broadcast media worldwide. Barbara is on the Advisory Board for Kensington Capital Partners Limited in Toronto.
Previously, Barbara spent 20 years as a portfolio manager and investment counsellor for high net worth investors. She lives in Toronto with her husband Duncan Stewart, CFA.