Each of these three award recipients has stepped up and stepped forward, using their voice and platform to support women and diverse managers in asset management. Each of these men is paving the way for women in finance by serving as mentors, collaborators, and investors in women’s leadership and women-led funds.
In their acceptance comments, the awardees shared:
Senator Cory Booker, “We cannot have a nation where the trillions of dollars in our economy, whether it’s VC dollars or assets under management, is [managed by] less than 1% of half of our country. The absurdity of that is something that we all should be called to address, and that men should champion for their own self-interest.”
HeForShe awardee R. Paul Herman said: “Women aren’t given enough fair opportunities to demonstrate their excellence, and to show their leadership. This HeForShe award will be a beacon to encourage men to support women or for ‘He to support She’ in investing for our future, including our own portfolios. ”
HeForShe awardee Scott Saslow emphasized: “We know that female representation of capital managers is off the charts low. It absolutely makes no sense. So I think, as capital owners, we have to ask ourselves: Is it important to us? Do we care who we are actually investing in, and do we care about how that money is made? I think the answers to these questions are an absolute “yes” across the board.”
The awardees were announced at a recent event in late January 2026 in San Francisco, at an evening filled with exciting and distinguished speakers, including:
• Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Partner of California
• Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California
• Malia Cohen, California State Controller
• Anton Orlich, Managing Investment Director, CalPERS
• Kat Taylor, Co-Founder, Beneficial State Bank
• Val Red-Horse Mohl, CEO, Red-Horse Financial Group
• Darian Rodriguez Heyman, Best Selling Author
Kristin Hull, Founder and Director of the Nia Community Foundation, emphasized the importance of collective engagement: “Authentic male allyship requires listening, reflection, and sustained action. When men show up as partners and advocates, not bystanders, we create stronger, more inclusive systems where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and lead.”
The awards are brought to you by the Nia Community Foundation along with the following non-profit organizations: How Women Lead, Invest for Better, and The Real Mental Health Foundation.
This inaugural event aims to spark growth as more non-profits, allies, and others join the movement.
Visit the He for She website to learn more and take action. Join us—submit your interest today and become part of the growing movement for gender equity and allyship.