2023 Wall Street Exchange Interns Interact with BNP Paribas Leaders

July 6, 2023

Landing the Full-time Job and Succeeding in Your Career is a popular topic with the Wall Street Exchange interns. The 3rd session of the program, held on June 27, 2023, was hosted by co-chair Gerri Bostick. She introduced the moderator Greg Usvitsky, DEI and Quantitative Finance Recruiter and also an alumnus of the Wall Street Exchange Program (2020). Greg presented the panelists, all with diverse backgrounds: Ngan Diep, Business Manager; Janet Lee, Head Project Manager of the Liquidity & Investment Advisory team; Cassandra Hancock, Change & Solutions Transformation Process Efficiency Lead; and Clara Bachere, Equity Derivatives Sales, Insurance Solutions Associate.


Greg posed a series of questions to the panelists who represented different levels within BNP Paribas, from first year associates to managers. In response to a question about how they knew their employer was invested in their growth, they mentioned the support for building social relationships, creating opportunities for them to bond with other associates, having a good pulse on how the organization treated them, and creating quality opportunities that matched with their goals. The interns were advised to vocalize what they want and make sure it’s given in areas such as the quality of the projects and whether they are being heard.


During the Q&A segment, the interns were encouraged to take advantage of being inside the organization and schedule coffee chats with peers to learn what they are doing as well as pivot to other departments that they are interested in to learn more. They were also told to understand the WHY during their interviews – why that company, why that role, and to make it easier for the interviewer, talk about WHY YOU for that role.


A poll taken by the interns at the beginning of the session showed that 70% of the interns were “confident” with their strategies for securing a permanent position, with 30% saying “not very confident”. At the end of the session, the interns took the poll again and there was a dramatic shift to 94% saying they were “very confident” or “confident” and only 6% saying “not very confident”. Kudos to the BNP Paribas team!


The Co-Chairs and the committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to Greg, the panelists and the company sponsor, BNP Paribas, for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

FWA Graduate School Partnership: Finance Training Program

March 27, 2025
In Fall 2024, the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) Graduate School Partnerships Committee, with support from BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education Program, sponsored a finance training program for over 175 Baruch College Zicklin School of Business graduate students. As part of the curriculum, students attended a financial markets overview lecture by KLD Training and completed courses in applied Excel and corporate valuation with Training the Street. The Graduate School Partnerships Committee is proud to help fulfill the FWA’s mission to contribute to our communities and prepare the next generation of professionals through this multi-year initiative. As the financial services industry continues to go through technological and regulatory changes, the Committee hopes these young professionals will gain an edge as they enter the financial services industry with the additional technical skills and financial knowledge acquired from the training program. In the excerpts below, a few participants share how the course helped their corporate valuation knowledge and express their gratitude to the FWA and BMO Capital Markets. Click here to view the complete Participants Testimonial booklet . For more information about the FWA Graduate School Partnership, please contact committee chair Christine Li-Auyeung .

FWA Immediate Past President Hermina "Nina" Batson Featured in Equities.com

March 20, 2025
We're proud to celebrate our immediate past President, Hermina "Nina" Batson's recognition in Equities.com ! Her career resilience, leadership during the pandemic, and unwavering commitment to provide access, inclusion, and diversity continue to inspire. Read more here: Nina Batson: A trailblazing Black woman on Wall Street - Equities.com

Greetings From France!

March 13, 2025
This past week, we had the privilege of celebrating International Women's Day and kicking off our International Business Conference here in France. We began with a warm welcome dinner on Sunday night, followed by a series of events at businesses across central Paris. We have taken a deep dive into France’s technological advancements, energy sector, markets, and economic leadership. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity presented by the FWA International Business Conference, which has brought together delegates from around the world since 1978. It has been an absolute pleasure to experience France in such a unique and enriching way. As we approach the conclusion of this conference and prepare to head back home, I will carry with me the unforgettable experiences and knowledge gained here. La vie est belle!  Best, Annette Stewart FWA President 2023 - 2025

Spotlight on Kelsey Halloran, FWA Secretary

February 27, 2025
Supporting corporate governance through top-notch administration People who enjoy solving puzzles and problems are often detail-oriented, observant, organized, patient and analytical. These traits enable them to approach complex challenges methodically and effectively. For Kelsey Halloran, these qualities have been key to her success as a forensic accountant at a leading global advisory firm and have made her a prime choice for secretary of the FWA.  Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the FWA’s Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, talked with Kelsey about her career and the role the FWA has played in developing her leadership skills and shaping her professional growth.
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