A recent YouTube survey revealed what’s topping the bucket lists of women over 50: 10% dream of starting their own business, while 27% aspire to achieve financial independence. For Nell Daly, a venture capitalist and advocate for women’s empowerment, these goals are personal—and she’s on a mission to help make them a reality.
Nell’s journey to financial independence and success was far from easy. Growing up in a home marked by domestic violence, she saw firsthand how a lack of financial resources trapped her mother in a toxic relationship. “At a very young age, I realized my mom felt like she couldn’t leave because she didn’t have the money to care for three kids,” Nell explained.
Despite this challenging start, Nell initially pursued a career in social work, a field where she worked tirelessly on the front lines to support marginalized communities, including victims of domestic violence and those living with HIV/AIDS. However, after becoming a psychotherapist, Nell noticed a troubling pattern among her patients: many were stuck in toxic relationships or unfulfilling jobs simply because they lacked the financial means to leave.
After 10 years and over 20,000 hours of listening to stories of struggle and resilience, Nell made a bold decision to pivot her career. She entered the finance world, determined to make a broader impact by empowering women with the tools and resources to achieve financial independence.
But the path wasn’t straightforward. Nell encountered significant barriers, many of which stemmed from the male-dominated nature of the finance industry. “One of my first jobs after college was in finance, but as a woman, I was immediately assigned to the back office,” she recalled. “When I told the men I wanted to do what they were doing, they said, ‘We don’t hire women for that job.’”
Undeterred, Nell taught herself the ropes of venture capitalism—first through Google, and now with tools like ChatGPT, which she believes could have accelerated her career by years. Today, she invests in women-led businesses in both the U.S. and the U.K., using her platform to mentor and uplift women in finance.
Nell believes that the lack of financial education is a systemic issue, one that starts at a young age. “We’re not taught about finance in school. It feels like this coded language, but it’s really not,” she explained. She advocates for teaching children, especially young girls, how to manage money early on, so they can grow up feeling empowered and financially literate.
When asked why the finance world remains a “boys’ club,” Nell didn’t mince words. “If women don’t have money, they don’t have power. It’s very convenient for a system to keep women in situations where they can’t stand up for themselves, whether that’s in relationships, politics, or the workplace.”
However, Nell is optimistic about the future. She sees younger generations of women entering fields like technology, economics, and finance, breaking down barriers and shifting the balance of power. She’s also quick to acknowledge the complexities of modern trends, such as the “trad wife” movement on social media, which glamorizes traditional gender roles. While respecting diverse choices, she encourages young women to embrace opportunities for financial independence.
“The statistics are clear,” Nell said. “By 2030, 44% of women in the U.S. between the ages of 25 and 44 will be single and childless. At the same time, $30 trillion will be inherited by that generation from baby boomers. That’s a stampede of economic power coming, and women need to be ready to join it—not be crushed by it.”
For women juggling careers and motherhood, Nell acknowledges the challenges. She shared her own experience of hiding her status as a mother when transitioning into venture capital. “During COVID, I worked with a group of men for six months, and they didn’t even know I had kids. I knew about the motherhood bias, so I told my kids they weren’t allowed near my workspace.”
Nell Daly’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a fierce commitment to empowering women. Her message is clear: financial independence isn’t just about money—it’s about freedom, power, and the ability to shape your own destiny. And as Nell continues to break barriers, she’s paving the way for more women to take their place at the table.
