Future Leaders Spotlight Series – Yulia Manyutina

At WIBF, we believe that supporting future leaders in financial services is about more than just career development—it’s about creating a lasting impact. Our Future Leaders Shadow Board (FLSB) has been a game-changer, not only for the organisation but also for the
individuals who have shaped it.

For Yulia Manyutina, serving as the FLSB Strategy Lead was a defining moment in her professional journey. Now, reflecting on her time on the board, she credits the experience with influencing both her career path and the direction of WIBF itself.

Driving strategic change at WIBF

Yulia’s time on the FLSB wasn’t just about gaining experience—it was about making real, tangible change happen. “There were undoubtedly many exciting moments during my time as the FLSB Strategy Lead, but my proudest achievement was overseeing the process of WIBF becoming a social enterprise back in 2021” she explains.

Transitioning WIBF to a social enterprise model was a significant milestone, allowing the organisation to expand its impact, strengthen its purpose, and position itself as a driving force for gender equity in financial services. Yulia’s strategic leadership played a crucial role in making that vision a reality.

Why gender diversity in leadership matters

While progress has been made in bringing more women into financial services, Yulia is clear that retention and leadership representation remain major challenges.

“We have seen an improvement in the diversity of entry-level recruits in the financial services industry, but there is still more work to be done on retaining female colleagues in their careers and getting more women into Board- and top-level leadership roles”, she says.
“The impact of women in leadership extends beyond individual careers – it transforms businesses.”

Research shows that women-led companies often achieve better performance over time and tend to have higher environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores than other companies. This is a clear signal that promoting and retaining female talent has a wider
positive economic and social impact.”

This is why WIBF continues to champion leadership development, mentorship, and workplace policies that support women not just in entering the industry, but in staying, thriving, and reaching the highest levels.

How the FLSB shaped her career

For Yulia, her time on the FLSB wasn’t just an add-on to her CV- it shifted the entire trajectory of her career. “My Strategy Lead role at WIBF was my first try at taking a more strategic role in an organisation. I enjoyed this experience so much that I decided to make a switch at my job and moved from a solely client-facing role into a more strategic one!”

This highlights one of the key benefits of joining initiatives like the Future Leaders Shadow Board—it provides hands-on leadership experience that directly translates into career progression. WIBF’s commitment to nurturing talent means that members don’t just gain skills—they gain clarity, confidence, and a pathway to leadership.

Looking ahead

Yulia’s experience is a powerful example of how WIBF’s Future Leaders Shadow Board isn’t just a development opportunity – it’s a launchpad for impact. The insights, skills, and networks built during her time on the board have shaped not only her own career but also
the direction of WIBF. As WIBF continues to push for greater representation of women at the highest levels of leadership, the experiences of past FLSB members like Yulia prove that investing in future leaders today creates the industry trailblazers of tomorrow.

Want to be part of WIBF’s mission to develop the next generation of financial leaders? Keep an eye out for more spotlights on the incredible women shaping the future of finance.

If you are a WIBF member in the first ten years of your career, you can join our Future Leaders Network here.