This year's International Women's Day has tremendous momentum behind it with positive movements for social change propelling broad, global discussions on what our society will and will not tolerate. There is no question that gender equality is one of the defining themes of our time.

I see this theme bringing about change in the investment and wealth management world in 2 key areas. The first is the gender investing gap and our efforts as advisors to help close it by being aware of how women's relationship with money tends to differ from men's and providing investment and financial planning advice to women that is tailored to them accordingly.  

The growing importance placed on responsible investing is the other area where I see issues like gender equality having a great impact. Choosing investments that have been screened for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors means investing in companies that believe practices like gender equity on their boards is paramount to their success. Most importantly this has proven to add incremental value.

I have the incredible privilege of working with and alongside a number of strong, smart and confident women. My daughters are 4 and 2 and I am optimistic that the dialogue happening now, along with the many visible role models, will have a lasting and positive impact on the world they will grow up in.

Happy International Women's Day 2018!