#95 The $30 Trillion Opportunity: Serving Women Investors Better with Cary Carbonaro, CFP®

Aug 8, 2025

Cary Carbonaro, a Managing Wealth Advisor and Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas, discusses the future of female investors—predicted to control over $30 trillion by 2030. She highlights the financial industry's historical oversight of women and suggests actionable changes for better engagement. Cary emphasizes the importance of tailored communication and separate meetings for female clients to foster deeper connections. Additionally, she advocates for enhanced female representation in finance and the necessity of understanding emotional finance to build trust with women investors.

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INSIGHT

Industry Built For Men Needs Redesign

The wealth industry was designed by men and often treats women as an afterthought.
Changing client demographics will force firms to redesign experience, language, and marketing.

INSIGHT

Widows Often Leave After Spouse Dies

A large majority of widows change advisors after a spouse's death, often because they were excluded earlier.
By the time the spouse dies, it is usually too late to repair the relationship.

ADVICE

Hold Separate Meetings For The Spouse

Offer separate meetings with the female spouse to build a direct relationship and listen without the partner present.
Use that time to connect on priorities and forge long-term trust.

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Most advisors know women will control the majority of wealth by 2030—so why aren’t more of them preparing now?

In this episode, Referral Coach Bill Cates interviews Cary Carbonaro, CFP®, Managing Wealth Advisor and the Women and Wealth Ambassador at Ashton Thomas. Cary explains how the financial industry has historically overlooked female clients and what needs to change to better serve and retain them. She also outlines actionable ways advisors can create more inclusive, client-centered practices that truly resonate with women.

Cary discusses:

The reasons most advisors still struggle to connect with women, despite long-standing data showing their rising financial power
How traditional practices, language, and analogies often alienate female clients and prospects
Why offering separate meetings for women within couples can significantly strengthen advisor-client relationships
How behavioral finance tools help advisors build deeper emotional connections and trust with women
The importance of changing hiring practices and early outreach to increase female representation in the advisory profession
…And more!

Sponsors:

SHOW SPONSOR: ProudMouth
EPISODE SPONSOR: IronClad Family | Holistic Advisor Guide

Resources:

Connect With Bill Cates:

Connect With Cary Carbonaro:

About Cary Carbonaro, CFP®:

Cary Carbonaro is an award-winning Certified Financial Planner professional with 25+ years of experience. She is passionate about increasing financial literacy and empowering women, and is the author of the best-selling wealth management books for women. She is a CFP® Board Ambassador and was appointed to represent the industry in the media. At Ashton Thomas, Cary will provide Private Wealth Management Services and spearhead the establishment of the Women and Wealth leadership initiative. She has spoken internationally on financial literacy for women and endows a scholarship at her alma mater. She also founded the Women’s Giving Alliance and resides in Winter Garden, FL, with her husband.