A lot has been said and done in the world of banking so far in 2020. Throughout all the collaboration and competition, there have been prominent leaders who have emerged from all areas of the industry. Whether it’s bank CEOs, hedge fund managers, or other magnates within the finance industry, all the key figures listed below are known for their strong leadership skills. With that in mind, here are 5 of the most influential leaders in the finance sector.

Warren Buffett

As the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett’s financial enterprise began at age 11, when he purchased his first stock. Now at 85, Buffett has amassed an eye-watering fortune of $65 billion, thanks to his long-term and smart bets on large corporations like American Express and Coca-Cola. Some of the most surprising facts about Warren Buffett include:

• Being rejected by Harvard Business School

• People will pay fortunes to have lunch with him

• He was making over $53,000 by the age of 16

Not only is Buffett friends with the Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, but he also gives away half of his wealth to charity, totaling more than $21.5 billion throughout his lifetime. Since taking over in 1964, the original $1,000 invested in Berkshire Hathaway has gone on to become worth over $10 million in 2020. 

Janet Yellen

Born in the United States, Janet Yellen is known by her peers as the head of the Federal Reserve. As the first woman to obtain the role, Yellen is the guardian of the US economy. Some of the most interesting facts about Yellen include:

• She was the first female in the world to lead a major central bank

• She taught at Harvard University and the London School of Economics

• She has a stamp collection estimated to be worth close to $50,000

For aspiring women who want to go into the finance sector, Yellen has proved that hard work and dedication can go a long way.

Jiang Jianqing 

Jiang was the executive director and chairman of the industrial and commercial bank of China. Known as the largest commercial bank in the world, and with a staggering $3.5 trillion in assets, Jiang took over and became president in 2000, with the bank generating $45 billion in annual profits as of today. When compared with competitors, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China makes more than twice as much as the largest US commercial lender JPMorgan Chase. Since leaving the bank in 2016, Jiang has gone on to become the director of CLIIF and professor of finance at CEIBS.

Abigail Johnson

Taking the reins from her father, Abigail Johnson has been the CEO of Fidelity since late 2014. Known as America’s second-biggest mutual fund business, Fidelity is in charge of over $5.2 trillion in assets. What you may find surprising is Johnson likes to keep a low profile, however, it’s no secret that Johnson was groomed to take over the business from a young age. Some fast facts about Johnson include:

• She has a personal net worth of $13.7 billion

• She ranks 7th on the list of wealthiest females in the world

• She ranked 19th in the world’s most powerful women by Forbes

• She started her career by answering calls in the customer service department of Fidelity 

Despite being one of the wealthiest women in the United States, Johnson is known for working 11-hour days and preferring her work to do the talking, rather than her status. When Johnson took over Fidelity, she meant business. Her first move was to fire ineffective managers and keep costs down, helping to push the company in a new direction.

Larry Fink

Larry Fink is the founder and CEO of the financial planning and investment management company BlackRock. Responsible for guiding individuals, institutions, and financial professionals to build healthier financial futures, Fink is regarded as one of the savviest leaders in the finance world. At present, Fink is in charge of monitoring $4.5 trillion in assets, a large chunk of which is comprised of the average US citizen’s retirement or pension account. As a popular figure, Fink has been rumored to be a candidate for the U.S Treasury secretary. 

All the key figures in the finance sector got to where they are now with a passion for success. If you are a natural-born leader, obtaining a BA in organizational leadership can teach you invaluable knowledge and expertise, helping you to obtain roles in executive management, public administration, consulting, and finance.

If a role in finance interests you, taking notes from the influential leaders above can help you carve out a successful career.