Women in the asset management industry: Maroussia Guillemot

Maroussia Guillemot brings nearly 25 years of experience in sales and financial markets. She joined Anaxis at its inception and is a partner, overseeing institutional clients in French-speaking Switzerland. After completing her studies in Switzerland and at Paris-Dauphine University in France, she established herself in Geneva, where she further honed her sales expertise through her early professional experiences. She was named RankiaPro's Sales Manager of the Month.

How does diversity influence an investment committee — and what do women specifically bring?

After more than 25 years as a sales in asset management, working closely with private banks, family offices and independent managers, I’ve seen one thing very clearly: diversity changes outcomes. Not symbolically — substantially.

Women bring a different kind of intelligence and a highly valuable layer to investment discussions. Not by speaking louder, but by adding another dimension.

Women often bring:

• Deeper listening and emotional intelligence

• Intuition for context and sentiment

• Long term thinking and a balanced view of risk

These traits don’t compete with others; they complete the picture. 

That complementarity is what strengthens an investment committee. Women bring a different type of intelligence to investment discussions, by widening the lens, without necessarily taking over. A committee made up entirely of women doesn’t automatically turn into a zen temple either. It’s the mix that makes it sharp.

When I joined my firm, Anaxis, I was the only woman. Today we’re close to 30%. The impact is clear: smoother communication, more nuanced debates and incisive questions, and fewer blind spots. This was made possible because leadership understood early on the strategic value of diverse profiles across sales, risk, compliance and governance. 

Our Partners have long recognised the importance of gender diversity, and I am proud to have become a Partner myself, as it has enabled me to bring this perspective to the highest strategic level.

What should change for greater gender equality?

I spent most of my career in a predominantly male environment, trying to adapt to traditional codes to “fit in.” Today I know that authenticity creates more impact than conformity. Conformity dilutes impact. Authenticity increases it.

What needs to evolve?

A culture where different communication and leadership styles are valued as strengths, and not as exceptions. 

Qualities often linked to women — empathy, intuition, relational intelligence, deep listening — aren’t soft skills. They’re strategic assets that reinforce technical expertise and strengthen decision-making, client relationships and team dynamics.

To accelerate gender equality, we need:

• More women in senior, visible roles

• Environments where diverse leadership styles can thrive

• Flexibility and authenticity recognized as strengths

When organizations embrace different styles as strengths, talent stops trying to fit in and rises more naturally. Diversity is not a “nice to have.” It’s a performance driver, and it changes the quality of decisions.

Do you have a female role model in finance?

I don’t have one name. I have many.

During my years on the committee of 100 Women in Hedge Funds — before it became 100 Women in Finance in 2016 — and through my continued involvement afterwards, I’ve met many outstanding women across senior roles in the industry. 

Women who show up, hold their ground and shape space instead of shrinking into it.

Women who bring sensitivity and sharp analysis.

Women who don’t try to emulate a masculine code, but bring their own.

Leadership has many faces. 

Not one — many. And they all matter.

Message to the next generation?

The industry doesn’t need replicas. It needs diversity and perspective, including your way of thinking and working.

The industry needs women who trust their instincts, take space and own their value. Your personality is not a compromise. Your difference is not a weakness. It’s your competitive edge.

Bring your depth, your intelligence, your tone, your intuition. And stay authentic. That’s where your power is, and where your impact begins.