The Most Powerful Women in Banking

Courage is key for Wells Fargo's Diane Schumaker-Krieg. Her 37 years in financial services is practically a road map on how to embody it.

Noticing that clients were placing more emphasis on planning for specific goals than on simple returns and performance benchmarks, JPM's Kelly Coffey oversaw the development of a new wealth management platform to help project wealth, monitor and adjust their portfolios, and deploy surplus assets.

Attacking a problem — whether it's structuring an acquisition or merger for a Citigroup client or mastering the crescendo of a complicated piece — is about approaching it with creativity for Elinor Hoover.

"As women, we need to remind ourselves to have an 'opt-in' attitude," said Abigail Johnson, President and CEO of Fidelity Investments. "Career downturns happen to everyone and we must remember to treat them as opportunities to change how we work or try something new. That is what shows our true mettle."

Since joining Schwab in September 2010, Marie Chandoha has made it one of her personal missions to foster an environment that promotes diversity.