From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs) run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

Diverse representation is an expectation, but as individuals no longer allow themselves to be defined in singular terms, there's mounting pressure on brands to understand and sensitively reflect how the intersections between race, gender, class, and ability impact people's everyday lives.

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Women in leadership roles are reevaluating work, and are looking for like-minded individuals that they can connect with to advance their career prospects. Chief, a networking membership club, is looking to meet this demand by fostering a peer-to-peer support system among women business leaders.

In Canada, Mastercard has launched an initiative that helps women-owned culinary businesses by providing resources and funding. Focusing on three women who have overcome challenges to grow their businesses, the campaign demonstrates how the company is meeting expectations for empathy and support.

The need for an ecosystem designed to help women succeed in the world of work became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stack World – a space built for women, by women – offers an online environment in which members can network, foster community, and evolve their careers.

American women are investing their money at higher rates than ever, but confidence is still low. Women are working to combat the field’s existing gender and race gap, but how is that playing out, and what can existing and emerging financial providers do to tap into and innovate among this audience?