Anne Cathrine Garde

Anne Cathrine Garde
EMFIN'26
Danish

I have spent over a decade in impact investing and sustainability, focusing on mobilising capital towards solutions that drive both financial returns and measurable social and environmental impact. My career has taken me across emerging and developed markets, from leading climate investments in Africa to structuring innovative financing models for conservation.

Change also requires women to take up space – owning expertise, building networks, and advocating for others.

Have there been any changes in gender dynamics that you have witnessed over the course of your career?

Over the years, I have seen gender dynamics in finance shift – but not fast enough. There are more women in investment roles today than when I started, but leadership remains male-dominated, women-led businesses still receive disproportionately less funding, and implicit biases persist.

Can you share a moment when you overcame a challenge related to gender expectations and how it shaped you?

Early in my corporate finance career, where men dominated the industry, I focused on blending in – wearing suits, adopting ways of working, and chasing male-driven KPIs to gain respect and achieve external validation. Motherhood helped reshape my perspective and bring forward my intrinsic values. Since then, I have made it a priority to lead with authenticity and embrace diverse strengths within my teams, guiding younger professionals to navigate their careers and uncover their unique value proposition.

Can you reflect on the progress made towards gender equity and the work that still needs to be done?

Progress is happening, but gender equity in finance needs more intentionality. 

Investors must go beyond ticking diversity boxes to ensuring capital flows equitably and leadership structures reflect the world we invest in. Change also requires women to take up space – owning expertise, building networks, and advocating for others. While we are moving in the right direction, there is still work to be done to make gender inclusion the norm rather than the exception.

More information about the programme Anne Cathrine attended: 

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INSEAD's Executive Master in Finance (EMFin) offers an accelerated programme that integrates both theoretical knowledge and practical application, placing a significant emphasis on finance and specialised concentrations in Corporate Finance and Financial Markets.

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