Sallie Krawcheck

Sallie L. Krawcheck has reshaped the financial services industry by consistently reaching executive roles rarely held by women, navigating mergers, and launching ventures focused on women's financial empowerment. She led Merrill Lynch Wealth Management through the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, steering the division to a $3.1 billion profit at a time when its parent, Bank of America, faced major losses[1]. Today, as co-founder and CEO of Ellevest—a digital investment platform designed by and for women—her work addresses both the gender investing gap and the underrepresentation of women in the highest echelons of Wall Street[2].

Born in 1964 in Charleston, South Carolina, Krawcheck grew up in an era and region where prevailing expectations for young women were modest, a fact she’s publicly acknowledged with candor. Her academic achievements set her apart early: she attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on the Morehead Scholarship, graduating in 1987 as a summa cum laude student in Journalism and Political Science[3]. She went on to earn an MBA with honors from Columbia Business School in 1992[4], establishing a foundation for a future at the intersection of finance and leadership.

Krawcheck began her Wall Street career as an equity research analyst, quickly earning recognition for the rigor and independence of her work. After joining Sanford C. Bernstein in 1995, she rose from director of research to CEO by 2001[5]. Her integrity during the era of Wall Street research scandals led Fortune magazine to call her "The Last Honest Analyst". Recruited by Citigroup in 2002, she led Smith Barney and became Citigroup's Chief Financial Officer by 2005, making her one of the few women ever to hold such critical positions at a major financial institution[3]. At Bank of America, she was appointed president of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, managing one of the world’s largest wealth businesses through the 2008 banking crisis and into a high-profit period while the larger institution absorbed losses[1]. After her role was eliminated under the leadership of Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan in 2011, Krawcheck pivoted to entrepreneurial ventures and gender equity.

In 2013, Krawcheck acquired and became chairwoman of Ellevate Network, a global professional women’s network previously known as 85 Broads. Three years later, she co-founded Ellevest, a digital-first investment platform built to close the gender investing gap, offering tailored financial products and education to women. Ellevest has since been recognized among CNBC’s top "Disruptor" startups and Fast Company’s "100 Most Creative People in Business" lists[2]. Through these ventures, her mission is clear: to put financial power into the hands of more women, enabling broader economic participation and advancement.

Krawcheck’s legacy spans financial services reform, gender equality in investing, and advocacy for diversity in corporate leadership. She is credited with influencing the shift to client-centered business models in wealth management, as well as building networks and tools directly supporting women’s financial independence and leadership ambitions. Recognized repeatedly by Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, and others for her leadership and creative vision, she continues to shape both boardrooms and broader industry conversations. Her observation—"As demographics and buying power shift, diversity has moved from being a fairness issue to also being a significant business driver"—reflects her ongoing advocacy linking diversity to measurable business results.

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