Join the FWA
Become part of the leading association for women in the financial industry. FWA connects a vibrant community of dynamic professionals and proactive institutions focused on development and empowerment to advance leadership growth and accelerate the success of all women in finance.
FWA was established in 1956 when eight enterprising women on Wall Street met to share professional experiences and further their knowledge. Today, our non-profit organization proudly promotes the professional development and advancement of all women through education, mentorship, scholarships, networking, and alliances across the financial community.
Featured Events
New to the FWA? Join FWA Connect—a FREE virtual meetup to learn how you can grow your network, build connections and develop the skills you need to accelerate your career.
FWA News Highlights
Highlights from Kathryn Mayer: I’m honored to have been the featured speaker at the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) event, Elevate Your Network, Empower Your Career . A huge thank you to the FWA Membership & Engagement Committee, Erin K. Preston, Samantha DiMercurio, and Marsh McLennan for making this happen. Networking is evolving as many of us are returning to the office again, and FWA members are eager to rebuild their skills. Despite the rainy evening, the energy, engagement, and willingness to be vulnerable made this workshop unforgettable. I opened with this powerful insight: "Research shows that new ideas and career opportunities are most likely to come from weak ties – relationships outside our closest circles."* To illustrate this, I shared my own experience—how a simple question to my book editor led me to a life-changing conversation with keynote speaker and bestselling author Victoria Labalme who is a weak tie. Her advice? Just start calling yourself a keynote speaker. That shift in mindset transformed my approach, leading to new opportunities within weeks. Then, I challenged attendees with an interactive exercise. Each participant partnered with someone they didn’t know, spending five minutes brainstorming a person they wanted to meet or a request they could make to connect with a weak tie. The energy in the room was electric as women realized the untapped potential in their networks. Next, we explored key principles of strategic networking: defining its purpose, differentiating mentor-sponsor relationships, and identifying the 10–15 critical connections that drive success. Attendees then paired with new partners to reflect on how they define themselves—not just professionally, but through their education, family roles, hobbies, volunteer work, and social circles. Many discovered surprising commonalities, from boxing to shared alma maters, reinforcing the power of authentic connections. By the end, everyone walked away having met at least two to three new people and with actionable strategies to enhance their network. If you want to dive deeper, I cover strategic networking in my newly released book, The Productive Perfectionist. I also write a monthly blog on leadership development, so stay ahead of the curve and subscribe! Plus, if you're looking for coaching or training, visit kcmayer.com to connect and to buy my new book! *Gianpiero Petriglieri, “How to Make Better Friends at Work,” MIT Sloan Management Review, volume 65, no.3 (Spring 2024), page 44
Building and retaining leadership and a pipeline for the future Ariel Boverman is a human resources (HR) professional who has used her expertise to guide executives though organizational change at top firms including Marsh and McLennan, PwC, EY and Wells Fargo Advisors. She represents the Nominating Committee on the FWA’s board, and previously, she served on the board of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In her free time, Ariel loves engaging with diverse people and cultures and being a tourist in her own city. Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the FWA’s Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, spoke with Ariel about her background and her role in helping the FWA ensure sustainability through strong leadership.
Dear FWA Members, It’s graduation season, a time to remember the countless young lives touched by FWA’s mentorship programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives. To celebrate our incredible graduates, it is time for our annual Dollars for Scholars fundraising campaign. FWA’s life-changing programs have given thousands of female scholars the guidance and tools to succeed in the classroom, and our outstanding alumnae are pursuing careers at many top-tier firms. Last year, with support from the generosity of our donors and sponsors, we: Provided guidance, development and networking opportunities through 119 high school and undergraduate mentorships Awarded scholarships and financial support for 57 students from our programs Supported 24 mentees to attend local leadership conferences for women Provided financial training to 250 Baruch graduate school students Accepted 67 interns into the FWA’s summer 2024 Wall Street Exchange program for career development Our initiatives and networking opportunities have indeed prepared our mentees to lead - at work as well as in their community. In the coming weeks, the profound impact of our educational programs will be highlighted through the dynamic journeys of our stellar graduates. I hope their stories will also inspire you to make a meaningful gift to help our future scholars. Remember, when women support women, incredible things can happen. Thank you for your support, Annette Stewart FWA President 2023-2025
When Ananya Putta switched her major from biology to finance, she wasn’t just changing a field of study, she was stepping into the unknown. Like many first-generation college students navigating their academic and career choices, she was searching for clarity, confidence, and a sense of direction. Through the FWA's Seton Hall Mentoring Program , Ananya was matched with Karen Kerby, a Partner at Prager Metis CPAs and member of the Financial Women’s Association for just over two years. What began as a formal mentorship quickly blossomed into something much deeper: a lasting, empowering relationship built on mutual respect, shared ambition, and authentic support. “Karen is more than a mentor—she’s a guiding light,” said Ananya. “She helped me see a future I wasn’t sure I belonged in, and she gave me the tools to move toward it with confidence.” Karen, reflecting on their journey, noted how personal the experience was for her too. “I was a shy, uncertain young woman when I began my career. I know what it feels like to not have all the answers. I wanted to be the kind of mentor I wish I had—someone who listens, encourages, and reminds you of your worth.” Together, they tackled mock interviews, résumé reviews, networking strategies, and those hard-to-name challenges like imposter syndrome and self-doubt. As Ananya advanced, Karen remained a steady presence, offering not just guidance, but belief.
Corporate Sponsorship
“The FWA President’s Circle provides organizations with an unmatched opportunity to develop their female professionals internally and to raise their visibility externally as advocates of women’s leadership. Our President’s Circle offers an inspiring community of peers enabling our members to exchange best practices and support our common goal of women’s advancement.”
- Lily Klebanoff Blake, Past Chair of the President’s Circle Committee
Partnership Circle
Friends of the FWA
