Jane Greenfield, principal and head of consultant relations and the small market, Vanguard Group

Jane Greenfield always knew she wanted a career where she could help people. When she realized she was too squeamish to become a doctor, she decided to pursue a career in finance instead.

"I'm kind of queasy, so I knew I couldn't go into medicine. That wouldn't be my thing," she said. "I thought it would be helpful if I could help people achieve financial success so they could tend to their families, and reach their goals, and educate their children and all that kind of stuff. It seemed like that was the best way for me to be a contributor."

Ms. Greenfield, who has been in the finance industry for 34 years and now serves as principal and head of consultant relations and the small market at Vanguard Group in Malvern, Pa., said her time at the asset management giant has offered her an unparalleled opportunity to do meaningful and impactful work.

"In the business I'm in, I get to try to ensure that Americans wake up one day and look at their 401(k) accounts and say, 'Oh my gosh, I can retire. And it wasn't that painful,'" Ms. Greenfield said. "It's massively important and purposeful work."

Outside of helping clients, Ms. Greenfield takes an active role in mentoring women at Vanguard. As a mother of two now-grown children, Ms. Greenfield is particularly interested in helping other women navigate the intersection of work and family life.

"Mentoring people is truly, at the end of the day, what I feel like my life's work is," she said. "I can only get so much done as an individual, but if you invest in others you can accomplish so much more."

Ms. Greenfield has mentored dozens of women, many who are now senior leaders in the institutional industry themselves, according to her nomination.