Women in Finance: Breaking Barriers & Building Wealth 🚀💼 |Stephanie Link & Shannon Saccocia

In this episode of The FEW Podcast, recorded live at the 2026 Confidence Summit in Rancho Mirage, host Robert Schein sits down with two top leaders in finance and wealth management to discuss investing, career growth, and women’s leadership in the financial industry. The conversation explores their journeys to becoming Chief Investment Officer and Chief Investment Strategist roles, including the challenges of building confidence in a competitive field, the importance of mentorship, and how communication and public speaking skills helped shape their careers. They also share insights into the realities of working in finance, how long it can take to truly feel you belong in the industry, and why persistence, curiosity, and continuous learning are essential for long-term success.The episode also dives into investment strategy, financial decision-making, and how investors can develop confidence through research and disciplined processes rather than emotional reactions. The episode discusses why many investors buy high and sell low, when to change an investment thesis, and how tools like AI, financial news, and economic research can improve market knowledge. A major focus of the discussion is women and wealth—encouraging women to define what financial independence means to them and to pursue financial security, freedom, and impact without apology. The conversation concludes with advice for students and young professionals entering finance, emphasizing technical skills, adaptability, mentorship, and preparing for careers that will evolve alongside technology and the future of work.