Investing After 50 With Purpose: Carole Laible On Women’s Financial Power

Is It Too Late to Build Financial Power After 50?

Not every woman has the opportunity to develop the foundations of power and leadership early in her career.

Carole, for example, discovered the value of efficiency and resilience in college, “building muscle for the future”, and went on to enter finance as the youngest professional in a predominantly male industry. Yet she emphasizes that it’s never too late to start: “Growth and learning are always possible.”

After 50, the focus often shifts from simply building wealth to managing it strategically—thinking about the legacy you want to leave, securing your retirement, and using your experience to generate new income streams in ways that align with your values and ethical goals. But there’s no reason to feel intimidated by investing after 50; with the right approach, it can be an empowering way to grow your wealth and make your money work for you.

“The data is clear,” Laible says. “Women are excellent investors: they have a very solid track record in being able to do this successfully. They take appropriate levels of risk, and over time, they often have better results than men“. She notes that there’s no biological gap, only conditioning. “There is no study that says men are better at this,” she emphasizes. “In fact, it’s the opposite.”

The problem is that many fears around money start early. Laible explains: “From a very early age, girls receive the message that money is for the boys. Some of these fears or misconceptions are ingrained from childhood. I recently saw a study showing that only 23% of women report being taught about investing while growing up, compared to 45% of men. It’s as if we’re constantly signaling to girls: stay out of the money”.

Yet, Carole offers a solution: “Let’s start bringing girls into the conversations and start talking about investing with them at a very young age, and put it in a context that’s interesting to them. Whether it’s the new doll everyone’s buying, talk about how much it costs to make, how much they’d be willing to pay, and what amount would be too much. Start socializing the concept of money with girls young,” she says. “Women have to acknowledge that discomfort around money may just be a learned behavior—it’s not innate in their ability. Today, more women are responsible for household finances than in the past.”

What Steps Should Women Take to Start Investing After 50?

When asked what advice she would give to women over 50 who want to enter or advance in finance but don’t know where to start, she says: “This is your future. Your savings. Your well-being. That’s worth investing in. Definitely connect with networks or women. There’s a lot of research showing clusters—defined as three or more people—as really advantageous in helping to grow confidence, skills, networks, and mentorship. My advice would be to get to know somebody in the field, start getting involved in groups, gather advice, and get to know people.”

How Can Women Align Money and Power With Their Values?

For women over 50, understanding and owning their finances is not just a practical skill, it’s a form of self-determination that supports independence, resilience, and a future shaped by intention rather than circumstance.

It’s a time when investing after 50 is less about speculation and more about intention: protecting what’s been built while allowing it to grow with care. That’s where sustainable investing becomes particularly compelling for women navigating this stage of life. It offers an approach grounded in long-term thinking, stability, and alignment with personal values, especially important when financial decisions are tied to retirement, independence, and legacy.

Laible encourages women to begin simply, without pressure or perfection. “Start small,” she says. “Take a small pool of money: something you’d be okay losing a little or gaining a little. That’s how confidence builds.”

This measured entry point is what makes sustainable investing so accessible for women over 50. Rather than chasing trends or high-risk strategies, it prioritizes well-managed companies and forward-looking leadership—qualities that tend to reduce long-term risk while supporting steady growth.

“You don’t need private equity or Bitcoin to be a real investor,” Laible adds. “You can start with an index fund or a broadly diversified ETF.” As confidence grows, so does curiosity. “Once you’re comfortable, you can expand: sector funds, themes you care about. But you don’t need to make it complicated.”

At Domini Impact Investments, Laible’s work is rooted in values-based investing; not as an idealistic stance, but as a disciplined strategy. “We’re not talking about giving up returns,” she explains. “We’re talking about using more data.” Domini integrates environmental and social factors alongside traditional financial analysis to identify companies positioned for long-term success. “We believe these factors lead to better-managed companies,” she says. “What’s good for people and the planet is typically good for business.”

Reinvention, Confidence, and Financial Power for Women Over 50

Regarding leadership and redefining success after 50, Laible emphasizes the importance of balance.

“You can’t have it all,” she says. “So decide what matters most. When you’re at work, be at work. When you’re home, be home: don’t live with one foot on the dock and one in the boat.”

Carole sees midlife as an opening, not an ending, but a prime time to take risks. “Now is your time,” she says. “Before 50, women often devote themselves to caring for others. After 50, the path is yours. You have wisdom, experience, and perspective. You’ve already done the hard work. You know you can do this.”

Reinvention doesn’t have to be dramatic. “Take classes. Join networks. Explore what has always interested you,” she suggests. “Life can take you places you never imagined. If you stay open, the journey will surprise you.”

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