Championing Financial Empowerment and Global Women’s Leadership

For more than two decades, Sunita has been a driving force in financial services—a field she entered by chance, but quickly realized it was her calling. Drawn to its mix of purpose, entrepreneurship, and people-centric impact, she found a career that aligned deeply with her values. Today, as Managing Director at Fortis Lux Financial and newly appointed President of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC), Sunita is using her platform to champion advisor growth and global women’s leadership.

Empowering Advisors with Purpose and Partnership

Sunita’s leadership journey at Fortis Lux has centered on cultivating advisor success. In her role, she leads strategic efforts to grow the firm, helping financial professionals grow thriving practices rooted in comprehensive planning. “My goal has always been to attract high-quality advisors who are committed to financial empowerment—who want to make a real difference in people’s lives,” she says.

The firm’s advisor-first culture is a major differentiator. Fortis Lux operates with a boutique, high-touch model that emphasizes collaboration, teaming, and long-term growth. Advisors benefit from a client centric approach, receiving support from in-house -specialists, coaches, and business development resources. “We help them navigate uncertainty, mitigate risk, and lead with vision. That’s how we enable them to truly impact their clients’ futures.

Sunita’s leadership style is rooted in trust, empathy, and authenticity—values she credits to her upbringing and personal journey. “I never tried to fit a mold. I’ve always led with compassion and strategic clarity. My approach is to understand, support, and guide—not dictate,” she explains.

Addressing the Industry’s Evolving Challenges

The financial landscape is rapidly evolving. From the rise of digital tools and cybersecurity risks to generational shifts in client expectations, advisors face growing complexity. “Younger clients—Gen Z and millennials—want alignment with values, personalized advice, and transparency. At the same time, technology is accelerating at a pace that can be overwhelming,” Sunita notes.

To help advisors stay ahead, Fortis Lux invests in continual education, strategic partnerships, and a robust support infrastructure. “Our mission is to provide clarity and community. That’s what builds resilience and drives growth.

She also champions a deeply inclusive culture. “Diversity isn’t a checkbox—it’s a mindset. We’re building a space where advisors of all backgrounds can belong and thrive. That includes ethnic and generational diversity, gender diversity, diversity of thought, and a strong focus on serving underrepresented markets”

Our industry has done little innovation and a poor job of attracting women advisors. In this day and age, this gender imbalance needs to be addressed. Not only for gender diversity but the fact that women often excel in client centered approaches, and they bring specific advantages like approaching financial decisions with a big picture and long-term perspective – making them trusted comprehensive financial professionals.

Bringing innovation to strategize and help grow a client base without having to knock on doors or resorting to traditional hard-core methods is the need today. Creating a client centric model, aligning the advisor with a CPA and a team of professionals under one roof I believe will serve the future of our industry well and a career of choice for women advisors.

Let’s not forget that women’s financial influence is growing rapidly due to many factors. Research shows that within the next 5 years, women are expected to control an estimated $30 trillion in financial assets.¹ This represents a significant business imperative.

Leading Globally with IWEC

In 2024, Sunita was appointed President of IWEC, a global network committed to advancing women-owned businesses through education, connectivity, market access, and visibility. Her involvement began through her board role with the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, where she was invited to collaborate with international chambers and diplomats to support women entrepreneurs globally.

“The mission spoke to me instantly,” she recalls. “I saw the parallels between the needs of global women entrepreneurs and what we aim to provide in financial services—trusted guidance, sustainable strategy, and the right partnerships.”

Through IWEC, Sunita has met women from over 50 countries—each building businesses that are innovative, resilient, and community-driven. From Shanghai to Torino, some of the most impactful panels have centered on succession planning—an often overlooked yet critical issue for business continuity.

“Entrepreneurship is a universal language,” she says. “These global stories of resilience, creativity, and collaboration inspire me daily—and they inform how I lead at Fortis Lux. The insights I gain from IWEC help me better guide the advisors I work with.”

Vision, Legacy, and the Road Ahead

As both a leader in financial services and a global advocate, Sunita sees immense opportunity ahead. “At Fortis, we believe in the power of mentorship, collaboration, and strong relationships. I’m excited to keep opening doors for women in financial services and for entrepreneurs around the world.”

She is particularly passionate about expanding women’s leadership in a historically male-dominated industry. “There is space for women to lead—and to do so in ways that are authentic, strategic, and deeply impactful. My legacy, I hope, will be one of empowerment, trust, and meaningful change.”

Sunita’s work proves that leadership doesn’t have to conform to tradition—it can be purpose-driven, inclusive, and globally connected. And in doing so, she is redefining what it means to lead in financial services—and beyond.

Sunita Bajaj is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC (www.SIPC.org). 420 Lexington Avenue, 25^th Fl Suite 2510, New York, NY 10170.(212) 578-0300. CRN202807-9042821.

¹ Source: McKinsey & Company, The new face of Wealth: The rise of the female investor. May 8, 2025

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