Conference Presentation, Panel
From Experience to Excellence: Women Redefining Business and Financial Wellness | Global Conference
Milken InstituteSheryl WuDunn, Sheila Marcelo, Lauren Miller Rogen, Penny Pennington, Michele Trogni, Michelle Choney
- Women over 45 are projected to become the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, initiating a power shift that drives them to build independent systems rather than waiting for existing infrastructure to adapt.
- A $124 trillion wealth transfer is expected to occur within the next few years, with two-thirds moving actuarially from men to women of the same generation, while assets currently held by the older generation will shift to the next three generations.
- Women currently control $10 trillion in assets as primary deciders, with this figure projected to quadruple over the next 20 years, necessitating financial systems centered on women's needs, nonlinear careers, and protection rather than just wealth accumulation.
- A "longevity score" concept is being developed to assess whether individuals possess sufficient liquid assets to cover a year of non-earning, reflecting a market shift where longevity risk is now prioritized over mortality risk.
- Financial advice regarding insurance and long-term care is expected to move earlier into the 20s or early 30s to prevent uninsurability due to repricing or age-related conditions.
- Financial education mandates are present in at least two dozen states, though often unfunded, alongside plans to educate one million learners across high school, young adult, and digital platforms to address literacy gaps.
- Automation in the financial sector is anticipated to handle "ordinary" tasks to enable humanized "extraordinary" interactions, while Edward Jones intends to create metrics for both subjective and objective financial wellness.
- Alzheimer's and dementia prevention is critical, with science indicating brain changes occur 20 to 30 years before diagnosis, suggesting a 40% reduction in cases is possible through management of genetic and numerical risk factors.
- Ojai.ai plans to integrate services including Instacart, New York Times, and Weight Watchers to coordinate household tasks, with travel planning and medical appointments slated for integration this summer.
- Freeing up the average 4.8 hours of unpaid labor women perform daily could equal a trillion dollars in GDP, with goals to increase women's productivity or allow time for rest and clearer thinking.
- The care economy is viewed as a five-to-ten-year commitment requiring significant grit, yet interest is high among hundreds of VCs and entrepreneurs aiming to solve the care crisis.
- Childcare costs are projected to reach 25% of average household income, while the average recommended sleep duration is seven to nine hours with quality REM sleep and naps considered beneficial.
- Private equity and social impact philanthropy are expected to grow as wealthy clients seek positive investment impacts, with specific initiatives aiming to increase venture funding for women founders beyond 2.3%.
- Edward Jones has invested $50 million from 2016 to the present as a national sponsor for the Walk to End Alzheimer's and has funded Water Lily, an AI application for dementia planning.
- 50% of Americans will receive an inheritance, yet statistics indicate a strong reluctance to discuss it with parents, while "trusted contact" regulations aim to help advisors slow down decisions for vulnerable seniors.
- Future care solutions may involve AI avatars for senior engagement, and "baby bonds" of $1,000 are suggested as early investment tools to address economic inequality.