We are crushing on Asahi

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to blend sharp business acumen with deep social commitment, look no further, we present to you a blend of brilliance and vision-Asahi

This week on our ConfidenceCrush, we are honoring Asahi Pompey – a visionary leader whose career beautifully merges Wall Street excellence with transformative social impact. Her story is not just about professional success; it's about how one determined woman can reshape entire systems while lifting others up along the way. Using her as a case study projects the fact that “we rise by lifting others”.

Currently serving as Global Head of the Office of Corporate Engagement and Chair of the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs, Asahi operates at the powerful intersection of finance and social change. She leads some of the firm's most ambitious initiatives, including programs that support small business owners, advance gender equity, and invest in Black women's economic empowerment. Through her leadership of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, she directs philanthropic efforts that create meaningful opportunities in underserved communities.

What makes Asahi's journey particularly inspiring is how she's reinvented herself while staying true to her values. Before becoming a driving force for corporate social responsibility, she built an impressive career in compliance, rising to become Co-Chief Compliance Officer and Global Head of Investment Banking Division Compliance. Her legal background at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, with experience spanning New York to Frankfurt, gave her the rigorous foundation that informs her leadership today.

Beyond her official roles, Asahi's influence radiates through her board memberships and advisory positions. She helps guide institutions like Swarthmore College and the Brooklyn Museum while contributing her expertise to initiatives celebrating women's achievements and expanding economic opportunity.

What truly sets Asahi apart is her ability to operate at the highest levels of finance while never losing sight of the human impact. She embodies the idea that leadership isn't just about making decisions – it's about making a difference. Her career shows us that success and significance aren't mutually exclusive, and that real power comes from creating opportunities for others.

Asahi Pompey represents the kind of leader we need more of in the world: brilliant, principled, and deeply committed to building a more equitable future. She reminds us that with enough determination and vision, we can reshape systems while staying grounded in what matters most.