This shoot was a memorable one. Miriam brought her daughter Sophia, a budding college-aged creative in school to pursue a career in photography. What a cool experience…to be on set watching your Mom get photographed for FORBES. About five minutes into the shoot, I asked Sophia if she could stand slightly to the right of my camera and said, “Miriam, I want you to look at Sophia. Make her your eye line.” Her face softened and then tears started rolling down her cheeks. I looked back at Sophia and she was crying. I put down my camera, smiled at Miriam and said, “Take this moment in. She is SO so proud of you.”

This is when ‘work’ transforms into something else. Something deeper. I live for moments like this. We all do. It’s called human connection.

Ulu Ventures cofounder Miriam Rivera is finding unicorns by betting on the underdogs; Sharon Bowen is breaking glass ceilings at the New York Stock Exchange; economist Olivia Mitchell is warning the nation about Social Security shortfalls. These are the women shaping the way money flows in the U.S—and beyond.

Edited by Maggie McGrath

Reported by Vickie Chachere

Photography by Mary Beth Koeth for Forbes

Digi by Javier I Sanchez

Assistant Matthew Goldstein

Photography Director Robyn Selman

Studio CapsuleStudio NYC Haruko, you and your team are so awesome! Thank you for creating a cozy space with the best people and pups!