The Most Powerful Women in Banking

Goldman Sachs’ Heidi Cruz takes some flak for comments she made in an interview about her other job — as the wife of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Goldman's Dina Powell turns down a chance to be the next Nikki Haley. And a lawsuit against the American Bankers Association calls it a “boy’s club.”

The gap in attitudes and outlook on gender inclusion is wide enough that women and men in financial services often have entirely different takes on gender in the workforce, with men much more likely to have an outsized positive view on progress in gender inclusion.

Despite obstacles that keep women from being equally represented in the boardroom, there are steps they can take to close the gap.

"He hasn't missed any of our diversity and inclusion councils in 10 years. It starts with him and trickles down," said Sheri Bronstein, the bank's global human resources executive.

Promoting diversity must go beyond putting women in the C-suite. It’s about creating products and practices that help support and elevate those who tend to be overlooked.