Australia is in the middle of the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in our history, with around 65% of it flowing to women. This transformation prompted the ABL Women’s Network to invite the co-founders of the Dea Network, Lillian Kline and Seri Renkin, to be our special guests at this year’s International Women's Day gathering in Melbourne.
Introducing the session, senior associate Michelle Ainsworth explained that the Dea Network was established as a trusted, private, women-centred ecosystem where smart, values-driven women can learn, connect and lead with confidence. She said that when Lillian and Seri approached ABL 18 months ago and invited us to come on board as one of the network’s founding partners, we had no hesitation in accepting.
“As a firm with a long and proud history advising families and individuals around how to manage their wealth, ABL is equally well known for its commitment to community and public interest causes. The Dea Network ticked all the right boxes for us.”
The panel session, attended by ABL clients, friends and staff, was facilitated by senior associate Molly Scott, who explored the potential impact on financial systems and society at large as massive amounts of wealth transfer to women. The discussion also covered persistent bias experienced by women investors, and how sharing stories and building confidence among Dea Network members is gradually breaking down the barriers.
Lillian and Seri generously shared their vision for balancing the scales in terms of who controls wealth and to what end. They reflected on the inherent biases that are assumed about the way women approach wealth management, and their reflections on helping Dea members grow their networks, knowledge and collective impact.
