Stiletto Network

The Ultimate Exit Strategy

Young women like Mei and von Tobel are reaping the benefits of senior executives’ cumulative wealth and experience, but it’s not only the upstarts who profit when their elders co-invest. Executive women’s horizontal networks are becoming ever more robust. Just as a child strengthens the bond of marriage, financial ties add another dimension to friendships.

“My relationship with Sheryl [WuDunn] is stronger, and it was so nice that Janet Hanson was involved because I knew her years ago. When someone crops back up, it’s a sign you’re in the right place. I could see where it could go terribly wrong, but for us it’s been positive,” says Abigail Disney, who seldom angel-invests but says she didn’t do a lot of digging because ...