Women Who Invest: Finance With No Bro

For many of us at St Andrews, especially those outside the economics or management courses, the word finance conjures feelings of prestige and intimidation. Those of us who are unfamiliar might immediately think of stocks or “sell me this pen” from Wolf of Wall Street. The term ‘Finance Bro’ has no clear origin, but it embodies everything that feels overwhelming about the industry – a culture reserved for those who already speak the language.  

Notoriously, it’s a bit of an old boys' club.  

Fourth-year Moa Kulle recognised this dynamic firsthand, noting a striking gender gap in finance-focused societies and crucially, the idea that you had to arrive with prior knowledge to take part. Fellow fourth-year Flora McMahon shared this perspective, and in September 2024, they founded Women Who Invest, creating a space where any student - no matter what they’re studying or what level of knowledge they have - “can feel comfortable”. 

Credit: Eilidh Paterson 

The idea grew after Moa and Flora asked their economics classmates why they hadn’t joined an investment society at the university, recalling that many “felt too intimidated.”  

“You already needed a foundation in finance before you even applied,” says Moa, and “some weren’t sure if they wanted to pursue it long term,” feeling put off by lengthy application processes which require CVs and multiple rounds of interviews. “This struck me as a real barrier,” she continued, one that their society would attempt to dismantle.   

Women Who Invest set out to build something accessible, even for those whose knowledge of finance is limited to The Wolf of Wall Street. Their aim, Flora explains, is to help women “explore whether finance is right for them” and “to offer an educational platform that helps build financial literacy,” leading members to "feel equipped to break into the industry.”

That emphasis on accessibility is crucial for committee members who have felt these barriers themselves. Head of Sponsorship Anja Colombi recalled the uncertainty of beginning her applications: “I knew I was interested in finance and tech, but I had no idea what I was doing or where I wanted to go.” Having a “network where knowledge and information is shared and passed down, where people can feel comfortable to ask questions” she says, is essential. Treasurer Yasmin Mccallum agrees, adding “If I’d had something like this in first year, I would’ve been so much better prepared [...] the workshops teach skills that are really helpful in an internship, for example.”  

Credit: Flora McMahon 

The environment surrounding finance at this university can feel like “you're meant to do it since birth,” says Second Year Representative Lucia Gellis. It leaves “a big gap of people who don’t come from that background, but who want to learn about it”. Lucia stressed the importance of finding a middle ground: “That’s what drew me to this society. It’s not intense, it's not daunting and it’s so educationally based.” 

Joining Women Who Invest is simple: memberships are free, events are welcoming, and there are “no silly questions”.  

This semester, the society has already hosted a Spring Week panel with students who have interned across multiple finance companies, offering advice on applications and careers. Upcoming events will continue to prioritise the society’s emphasis on education, including various workshops, guest speaker events with alumni and industry professionals, and informal networking socials designed to help students build connections in a supportive environment. Women Who Invest are also running a personal investing session, through which the committee hopes to give students the tools and confidence to take control of their own financial futures. The aim, says the team, is to make finance “relatable and accessible,” to “empower students with knowledge they can apply immediately.” 

Credit: Anja Colombi 

Women Who Invest’s new partnership with GAIN (Girls Are Investors) marks another key development. The global charity is dedicated to “equipping young women and non-binary students with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to succeed in the world of investment management”. The team also hopes to host a joint event later this semester offering direct insights into life in investment. 

At a university where finance can feel like a closed-off world, Women Who Invest offer something refreshing; endeavouring to teach members the basics, without flaunting connections or requiring a CV. Whether members go on to careers in investment or simply walk away with stronger financial literacy, the impact is the same: a community that makes finance less intimidating, more approachable, and more representative.