The world of proprietary trading is still a boy’s club. In the U.S., just 4.3% of proprietary traders are women, according to data from Zippia. Flip that around, and it means men make up a staggering 95.7% of the field. The picture isn’t much better in the U.K., where women account for only 10% of the online trading market.
But here’s the twist, and the more interesting story: The women who are in the game might be playing it better.
This is all happening inside a financial engine of almost unimaginable scale. The foreign exchange, or forex, market, where prop firms often play, is a $7.5-trillion-a-day global machine that never, ever sleeps. It’s the ultimate 24/7 market. And while the gender split there is also heavily skewed — 89% men to 11% women — the performance metrics tell a different story.
A study from Warwick Business School found that women traders actually outperform men by 1.8%, thanks to a different psychological approach. Women tend to avoid the short-term, high-risk gambles that can define a certain type of trading culture, opting instead for more calculated, long-term strategies. In other words, they’re less likely to YOLO their firm’s capital on a gut feeling.
The path to parity is long, and the current numbers are stark. However, although systemic change is slow, individual breakthroughs are happening, and they’re being driven by people who refuse to play by the old rules, or at least ignore their worst impulses.
August is officially recognized as Women’s Month in South Africa and holds strong cultural significance for women in the South East of Nigeria. Within this broader context of empowerment, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the women who are shaping the future of prop trading.
Daniela Egli — The Woman Behind TheTradingPit
Daniela Egli serves as the CEO of TheTradingPit, one of the fastest-growing prop trading firms in the industry. With a career rooted in the regulated side of finance and deep expertise in compliance and operational models, Daniela leads with transparency, vision and structural innovation that truly meets the needs of traders today.
Andria Evripidou — From Revolut to Leading FundingPips
A recent and highly strategic appointment in the industry is that of Andria Evripidou as Group Managing Director of FundingPips. Her fintech and regulatory experience includes serving as Global Authorizations Senior Manager at Revolut and Senior Policy Advisor at the UK’s FCA.
Her move into prop trading reflects a growing trend of “brain drain” from traditional finance into the prop space, and her leadership is expected to bring compliance strength and visionary growth to the brand.
Katarina Kvasnicak — The Female Voice Behind thePropTrade
As CEO of thePropTrade, Katarina Kvasnicak stands out as a dynamic leader in the prop trading industry. With a background that blends strategic vision and operational excellence, she has been instrumental in positioning thePropTrade as a competitive force in the market.
Her leadership style emphasizes transparency, trader-focused innovation, and sustainable growth, making her a strong voice in shaping the future direction of the prop trading space.
Natalia Bojko — Leading SpiceProp to New Heights
As co-CEO and co-founder of SpiceProp, Natalia Bojko brings a sharp strategic mindset and strong entrepreneurial drive to the table.
Under her leadership, the firm focuses not only on performance but also on culture, emphasizing representation, innovation and sustainable growth. She represents a new generation of prop leaders who build ecosystems, not just companies.
Beyond Individual Names: A Collective Movement
These women are not the exception. They are part of a global movement. Their progress serves as inspiration for emerging traders and highlights the often underappreciated strengths women bring to trading: Calm under pressure, methodical risk-taking and long-term strategic thinking.
Outside the prop scene, the broader trading world has long been shaped by legendary female figures. Kathy Lien, one of the most respected forex analysts globally, rose through the ranks at JPMorgan Chase and authored several top-selling books.
Raghee Horner carved her niche with custom trading indicators and a deep focus on risk management. Cathie Wood, through ARK Invest, showed how bold vision can lead to exponential innovation.
And Linda Bradford Raschke, with over 30 years of experience, remains a key figure in short-term trading and a respected mentor across the industry.
Whether leading prop firms or charting strategies from behind the scenes, these women prove one thing: Success in trading isn’t about gender. It’s about discipline, strategy and vision.
Disclaimer: The content presented herein is for informational purposes only. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, no guarantees are made regarding its completeness, reliability or suitability for any particular purpose. Before making any financial decisions, we strongly advise seeking guidance from a qualified professional.
