Barron's Advisor Debra Brennan Tagg: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Finance
Nov 25, 2025
Debra Brennan-Tagg, president of BFS Advisory Group and a financial expert, shares her insights on advancing women in finance. She discusses the persistent underrepresentation of women in wealth management and how industry messaging deters their entry. Debra offers practical tips for closing the wage gap, including financial planning and negotiation tactics. She highlights challenges faced by female business owners and the funding disparities impacting their growth. Ultimately, she encourages women to leverage their strengths for success in the finance sector.
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Underrepresentation Keeps Women Away
- Women remain underrepresented in wealth management, which discourages female clients from seeking advice.
- Debra Brennan-Tagg links this gap to industry messaging and a lack of visible female advisors.
Messaging Creates A Self‑Fulfilling Narrative
- Industry materials often frame women as likely to fail due to wage gaps and life choices.
- That messaging creates a discouraging, self-fulfilling narrative for women considering finance.
Start Early And Negotiate
- Start financial planning early to let markets compound and close the wealth gap over time.
- Negotiate your pay and benefits by researching benchmarks and asserting your value.