In the world of finance, where leadership has long been dominated by men, Seema Hingorani stands as a beacon of transformation, resilience, and vision. As a Managing Director, Senior Client Advisor, and member of the Operating Committee at Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Seema has spent over three decades building an extraordinary career. But beyond her impressive professional achievements, she has dedicated her life to solving one of the investment industry’s most persistent challenges—bridging the gender gap.
Through her pioneering non-profit, Girls Who Invest, Seema has inspired thousands of young women and gender-nonbinary individuals to pursue careers in finance, empowering them with education, internships, and mentorship to become the next generation of industry leaders.
Seema Hingorani: From Wall Street to World Impact
Seema’s career reads like a roadmap of excellence and determination. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2019, she held several high-profile roles, including serving as Chief Investment Officer of the New York City Retirement Systems—managing an astonishing $160 billion portfolio. Under her leadership, the fund earned recognition as Hedge Fund Manager of the Year for large public pension plans by Institutional Investor.
Her earlier career included senior positions at some of the most respected firms in the world, including T. Rowe Price, Pequot Capital, Andor Capital, and Pyramis Global Advisors. She even co-founded hedge fund Mirador Capital and later established SevenStep Capital, an investment platform focused on seeding women portfolio managers.
At every step, Seema not only proved her investment acumen but also noticed a troubling trend: women were largely absent from decision-making roles in finance. Instead of accepting this status quo, she chose to change it.
The Birth of Girls Who Invest
While serving as CIO for New York City’s pension funds, Seema realized that women were significantly underrepresented on investment teams. When she asked industry peers why this was the case, many responded that they “didn’t see resumes from women.” This glaring reality was not about talent but about access and awareness.
In 2015, she launched Girls Who Invest with a bold vision: by 2030, 30% of the world’s investable capital should be managed by women and gender-nonbinary individuals.
The organization works tirelessly to turn this vision into reality through:
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Educational Programs: Intensive summer curriculums led by leading professors and industry experts.
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Paid Internships: Opportunities at top investment firms to give participants real-world experience.
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Mentorship and Networking: A powerful community that supports young women in advancing their careers.
This initiative is not just about creating opportunities; it is about reshaping the culture of finance itself. By “flooding the system” with talented, diverse candidates, Seema Hingorani is building a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive industry.
Seema Hingorani: Recognitions and Honors
Seema’s relentless efforts to promote diversity and excellence have not gone unnoticed. She has been celebrated globally with numerous awards and honors, including:
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Forbes “50 Over 50: Investment” (2024) for her leadership in the industry.
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Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honor, France, 2021)—the country’s highest civil and military distinction.
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Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance (2021).
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Bloomberg 50 “Ones to Watch” (2019).
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Wall Street Women Entrepreneur of the Year (2015).
Her recognitions are not just accolades but a testament to the change she is spearheading in one of the most competitive industries in the world.
A Visionary Beyond Finance
Seema Hingorani’s leadership extends beyond the walls of Morgan Stanley and Girls Who Invest. She serves on boards, advises organizations, and supports global initiatives focused on empowering women and advancing economic opportunity. As a board director at Women’s World Banking and a senior advisor for The Wharton School’s Cypher Accelerator, she continues to influence both finance and entrepreneurship.
Her membership in The Economic Club of New York and her involvement in policy and advocacy efforts further highlight her commitment to shaping not only an industry but society at large.
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