Women in the Economy
Women in the Economy is a research and leadership project that aims to answer the question: What would the economy look like if it were designed to work for women?
Driving Economic Progress for All
Women* are key drivers of our economy. As workers, breadwinners, business owners, investors, and caregivers, business owners, parents, breadwinners, and investors, their contributions are critical to the prosperity of families and the growth of our national economy. Yet, U.S. economic policies have never been designed to meet women’s needs and priorities.
Aspen FSP launched Women in the Economy (WE) in 2022 with an inaugural report that examined women’s economic lives to understand the causes of their financial insecurity, gather recommendations for the most promising solutions, and learn their vision for an equitable economy.
Building on this foundational research, we are now working to create a community leaders from across sectors to advance public policies, private sector practices, and other innovations that support women and, ultimately, economic prosperity for all.
*A note on terminology: We use a definition of “women” that is inclusive of cis-, transgender, and nonbinary people, and we have welcomed all LGBTQIA+ people in our research and convenings. Our definition of “working women” includes women who are providing care without compensation.
The amount of U.S. financial assets that women will control by 2030—a 3.5x increase in just a decade.
The rate of business growth for women-owned businesses compared to that for men.
The percentage of American mothers with young children who are working.
Women in the Economy Dialogues
The Women in the Economy Dialogues is a podcast-style webinar series hosted by the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program that features in-depth discussions with journalists, authors, filmmakers, and other thought leaders about how to build an economy that works for women.
Women in the Economy Research
Through in-depth interviews and national surveys, we heard from nearly 1,500 working women with diverse and intersectional backgrounds. The majority were women of color making less than $50,000 a year. Read our reports to learn about the financial challenges facing these women.
Partner Events
Women, Money, and Policy: A Post-Election Conversation
Heather McCulloch discusses gender and economic policy with host Jacki Zehner and journalist Josie Cox.
What If the Economy Worked for Women?
At a keynote for the SheMoney Summit 2024, Heather McCulloch share vital research and makes the case that building a gender-equitable economy is an economic imperative.
Beyond Surviving to Thriving: Building a Gender-Equitable Economy Based on Women’s Lived Experience
Presentation by the Women in the Economy team and research interviewees on national webinar co-hosted by Aspen FSP and the Asset Funders Network, Care for All with Respect and Equity (CARE) Fund, Economic Opportunity Funders, and EITC Funders Network.
What if the Economy Worked for Women?
Webinar co-hosted by Aspen FSP and The Century Foundation featuring presentations by Heather McCulloch, Céline Apollon, and Women in the Economy research interviewees with comments from former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Building a Gender-Equitable Economy
Presentation to the Keiretsu Forum-Investor Capital Expo 2024 by Heather McCulloch.
In the Media
Century Lives Podcast: The Mobius Strip
Ken Stern interviews Women in the Economy founder Heather McCulloch about the relationship between gender, caregiving roles, and financial security for the Century Lives Podcast from the Stanford Center on Longevity.
Why Are Women Less Likely to Use AI?
Heather McCulloch discusses the relationship between the unpaid labor of women and their ability to experiment with generative AI with Bloomberg reporter, Josie Cox.
The Pay Gap for Moms Is Bad. It’s About to Get Worse.
An op-ed for Ms. Magazine co-authored by Julie Kashen (The Century Foundation) and Heather McCulloch.
Building a Gender-Equitable Economy Is Not A Women’s Issue—It’s Everyone’s Issue
Commentary by Heather McCulloch for AARP International Megatrends: The Future of Work for 50+
Breaking Through with Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
MomsRising Co-Founder and CEO Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner interviews Women in the Economy Founder Heather McCulloch on We Act Radio.
What would the economy look like if it worked for women?
Women in the Economy survey findings and interviewee stories featured in The 19th News.
“Understanding the Gender Wealth Gap, and Why it Matters” from The Future of Wealth: Brief Essays on the Best Ideas to Build Wealth—For Everyone
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Aspen Institute, with Mariko Chang, Ana Hernández Kent, and Heather McCulloch.
Supporting women and work-life balance in today’s economy
An interview of Women in the Economy interviewees by Federal Reserve Senior Analyst Jennifer Fernandez for FedCommunities.
Funders
Institutions
AARP Thought Leadership
Blue Shield of California Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Individuals
Anonymous (3)
Mona Baroudi and Patrick Whitgrove
The Sangha Fund
Team
Advisors and Partners
Elena Chavez Quezada, StarrWise Solutions
Julie Kashen, The Century Foundation
Ana López Van Balen, Futures Without Violence
Miriam Warren, Yelp
Leigha Weinberg, California Partners Project
Shubhi Rao, Uplevyl
Jacki Zehner, SheMoney
Team
Heather McCulloch, Founder
Joanna Smith Ramani, Co-Executive Director, Aspen Institute Financial Security Program
Céline Apollon, Senior Research Partner
Stay Connected
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