Jane Fraser: How a Part-Time Mother of Two Broke Wall Street

It was a milestone Wall Street had never seen before. In 2021, Jane Fraser became the first woman to lead a major U.S. bank, stepping into the role of CEO at Citigroup. But unlike many of her predecessors, Jane did not take a linear path to the top. Her ascent was marked by bold career choices, personal sacrifices, and an unshakable commitment to balance—both in business and in life.

Born in the small coastal town of St. Andrews, Scotland, Jane’s early years offered little indication that she would one day run a global financial institution. She studied economics at the University of Cambridge before securing a role at Goldman Sachs, an enviable first step in the finance world. Yet, Jane's ambitions stretched beyond traditional banking. She moved to the United States, earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, and then took an unconventional turn: rather than racing up the corporate ladder, she stepped off of it—at least temporarily.