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Last night, FWA board member Katrin Dambrot hosted Stories from School , an evening of connection and community in support of the FWA Mentorship and Scholarship Program at Seton Hall University . The theme of the evening was moments that matter. Guests shared personal accounts of mentors and experiences that shaped their college years and early careers—powerful reminders of how guidance and opportunity can change lives. Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve raised $17,000 toward our $25,000 goal! To help us continue supporting the next generation of leaders, make a gift here .

We are excited to announce that the Financial Women’s Association will host its next International Business Conference in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in April 2026. This one-week immersive conference will feature high-level meetings with financial leaders, global innovators, and cultural experiences. If you’d like to receive early updates and priority access as plans develop, please complete the short interest form below. Space will be limited.

On July 29, the FWA’s 2025 Wall Street Exchange Program held its graduation ceremony. Over eight weeks this summer, 72 rising college seniors from 41 universities with summer internships in finance roles with 40 companies embarked on a journey of growth, learning, and connection. WSE is designed to empower the next generation of financial leaders with tools, insights, and relationships that will last far beyond the summer. Thank you to Wells Fargo Advisors for hosting an inspiring closing event — and to Brenda Titus who shared heartfelt and powerful advice to her 21-year-old self. Among the takeaways were reminders that it’s important to take risks and fail fast, to choose your circle wisely, that the greatest growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and that it’s important to find mentors, not idols. After Titus’ presentation, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, WSE Co-chairs, and Albana Theka, FWA’s President, presented graduates with their program completion certificates. Congratulations to the 2025 graduates! We look forward to seeing you continue your journey with FWA and beyond. The future is brighter because of you. Special thanks to Wells Fargo Advisors for sponsoring this in-person celebration and to all of this summer’s speakers, who bring this program to life for the interns who represent financial services’ future. A huge thank you to this year's sponsors: AbleMarkets, Amazon Web Services, Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc, Citizens Bank, Goldman Sachs, Joele Frank, Knopeman Marks, MUFG, PwC, SMBC, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Thanks also to the WSE committee members and the FWA Office for their support.

Early August brought two standout networking events for women in finance hosted by the Financial Women's Association. One took place on the green, the other in Midtown NYC, and both highlighted the power of professional connection and community. On August 5, the FWA’s Long Island Committee hosted its 12 th Annual Golf Outing at Cold Spring Country Club, one of Long Island’s premier private courses. Members and guests joined for competitive and fun foursomes, a PGA-led golf clinic, and an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffles, and prizes. "It was a great group of people doing something fun together. I learned new things on the green and got some great professional advice on two pressing issues I am facing. That is the power of FWA events,” said Alissa Desmarais, FWA Executive Director & COO. FWA member Maria Maris added, “What a fun afternoon/evening this was! Already looking forward to the next one.” A special thank you to the Long Island Committee and our generous sponsors for making this women’s finance networking event a success.

Interns participating in the Wall Street Exchange Program gathered virtually for the program’s sixth session, sponsored and facilitated by MUFG. The session, titled “Own Your Career: Taking Personal Accountability to Drive Your Destiny,” focused on career ownership, mindfulness, and managing workplace stress, essential tools for thriving in today’s dynamic financial sector. The event opened with a welcome from WSE Co-Chair, Gerri Bostick, who introduced lead facilitator Marguerita Courtney, Managing Director, Global Learning at MUFG. Marguerita then welcomed her colleagues Enid D. Jean-Claude, Deputy General Counsel, Managing Director at MUFG and Raquel Azevedo, Assistant General Counsel, Director at MUFG, who each brought powerful personal and professional perspectives to the discussion. Marguerita kicked off the session by emphasizing that career mobility is a shared responsibility and interns must take charge of their own development. This includes honest self-assessment, flexibility, and the initiative to seek learning beyond their job description. “There’s no one right way to do things,” she reminded attendees, “so don’t take everything personally.”  Enid and Raquel shared practical tips such as recognizing organizational culture shifts and the critical importance of human connection. As Enid put it, “Everything in life is about the human connection.” Breakout group discussions followed on the topic of workplace stress and coping strategies. Interns shared challenges such as navigating downtime and finding purpose when workloads are light. Collectively, they offered creative solutions like scheduling coffee chats, shadowing colleagues, and exploring new areas of the organization. The session included a guided mindfulness exercise led by Raquel, who offered the following tips for success: Know yourself Be curious and open Identify your core values Be kind and be flexible MUFG’s evolving mindfulness initiative, introduced over a decade ago by Director Tsewang Namgyal, now extends to its C-Suite leaders. Interns learned how “slowing down to pause” can boost creativity and resilience. The MUFG team also shared resources including the e-book Integrating Compassion into the Financial Services Industry and recommended Janice Marturano’s book, Finding the Space to Lead . A heartfelt thank you to the MUFG team for empowering our interns with wisdom that supports not just career growth, but personal well-being. The WSE Co-Chairs, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, Partnership Circle Firms, and Friends of the FWA for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

For decades, the Financial Women’s Association has grown by asking what members need and then making it happen. That same energy was front and center when the FWA Board gathered for a full-day Leadership Retreat focused on connection, clear priorities, and moving forward. Setting the tone, FWA President Albana Theka kicked off the day with clear direction: How do we honor our history while seizing new opportunities? Facilitator Thea Watkins then guided the Board through lively discussions and practical exercises that turned ideas into action. The focus for the year ahead: Membership Growth — reaching more professionals and delivering greater value. Partnership Expansion — strengthening ties with corporate and mission-aligned allies. Brand Visibility — telling the FWA story with confidence and clarity. Teams broke out to brainstorm, test ideas, and present their best plans. The Board voted on top initiatives, setting the course for the year ahead. Thanks to: Kelsey Halloran and FTI Consulting for hosting us in their fantastic space. Thea Watkins for steering the day with insight and care. Executive Director Alissa Desmarais for grounding us in FWA’s mission, vision, and goals. The takeaway: A Board that’s aligned, energized, and ready to deliver. You’ll see the impact in upcoming programs, partnerships, and outreach. Thanks to everyone who helped lay the groundwork for a strong year — together, we’re moving forward.

What will it take to succeed in the future world of financial services, where technology plays an even more dominant role? During week 5 of the Wall Street Exchange Program , an expert panel of industry leaders in AI, blockchain, and data analytics and digital tools, shared their experiences and thoughts about the evolution of financial services and what the future holds for those aspiring to build their careers in finance. Susan Green of SGAdvisory moderated an expert panel, which included Alix Jules, AI Business Transformation Leader at Broadridge ; Irene Aldridge, CEO and Founder of AbleBlox and AbleMarkets ; and Janna Treybick, Director in the Assurance Innovation & Technology (AIT) - Market Information & Data Analytics (MIDA) practice at PWC . Panelists emphasized that we are in a transition period, where there is unending opportunity. To be successful in the evolving future, they offered advice around the importance of building relationships and interpersonal competencies, and of being intentional about targeting your next two roles in your skill-building. While technology might rule the future, this won’t change the importance of relationships and ensuring you keep your work and accomplishments visible to others. Among suggestions panelists offered to interns interested in understanding whether a company will be a good fit were: to speak to current employees, to look for others like you succeeding within the organization, and to ask for stories about those who had been promoted. Inclusion needs to be purposeful, not just platitudes. The WSE Committee extends its gratitude to the session panelists for an insightful session and for their support of FWA and the Wall Street Exchange Program. Special thanks, as well, to Susan Migliaccio and the FinTech Committee for their assistance in organizing this event.

The roar of the crowd, a Liberty comeback win, and the connections sparked in the owner’s suite made July 13 a day that perfectly captured the spirit of the Financial Women’s Association. FWA members and friends gathered at Barclays Center not only to watch an exciting WNBA game but to celebrate community, inspiration, and collaboration. From courtside cheers to suite-side introductions, the atmosphere was electric as conversations sparked across every corner of the room. It was a chance to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones while enjoying world-class basketball. Moments That Mattered What made the day truly memorable was more than the final score. It was the opportunity to connect with leaders, colleagues, and friends in a unique setting. As Laura Smith Dunaief, FWA Wall Street Exchange Co-Chair, shared, “So much fun! Great networking and an exciting game!” Nina Batson, FWA Past President, summed it up perfectly, “Another great FWA event!” One first-time FWA attendee said, “It was my first FWA event and I left inspired and energized by the incredible women I met.” The event would not have been possible without the leadership of Keia Clarke, CEO of the New York Liberty, the support of Robert Windrem of NetsDaily, Programming Committee Chair Patti Domm, FWA Executive Director and COO Alissa Desmarais, and the talented photographer Leya Yusupov who captured the day’s energy.

During week 4 of the Wall Street Exchange Program , participants were engaged in a highly interactive session about career opportunities in Strategic Communications (StratComms), a field with which only 50 percent of the interns were familiar. Heather Wallach and Jordan Resnick from Joele Frank shared that, for those with a passion for storytelling and writing and with exceptional attention to detail, StratComms offers an opportunity to flex those skill muscles by helping firms manage crises, communicate clearly, and develop company narratives. While many firm relationships might begin with transactional engagements, they often evolve into long-term partnerships.  StratComms requires coordination and cross-communication with other partners that form a firm’s advisory circle, such as Investor Relations and Public Relations firms. This makes relationship-building and other interpersonal skills valuable attributes. While a degree or background in finance is not required, Jordan Resnick shared advice for those interested in entry level opportunities. She recommended following business news platforms to learn and stay current and writing a cover letter that expresses curiosity and interest in the field. The WSE Committee extends its gratitude to Joele Frank and its speakers for an insightful session and for their support of FWA and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

Our Tastes of New Jersey series continued earlier this month with two dinners at Monticello’s in Red Bank on July 9 and July 12. Both evenings reminded us why these gatherings matter: authentic conversations, shared stories, and the chance to connect beyond titles and LinkedIn headlines. As one attendee said: “Absolutely fantastic evening. Each of you have such interesting backgrounds and experiences. It was a pleasure.” – Maggie Kriebelt The discussions covered everything from work-life balance to travel and even astronomy, creating a space where members could learn from and inspire one another. “Such a nice evening. A pleasure dining with all of you.” – Debra Curran Many thanks to Past President Nina Batson for making these evenings possible: “What a fantastic time. Thanks to Nina for facilitating it.” – Susan Aufiero-Peters We are bringing this same energy to Summit tonight, with Clinton and Westfield coming up soon. Join us at the table...

The Financial Women’s Association had the great honor of visiting the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in New York City. We were warmly welcomed by Her Excellency Amna Ali Hamad Bin Zaal Almheiri and her team, who graciously shared their time and insights on the UAE’s remarkable journey of economic development, visionary leadership, and global engagement. Our visit marks the beginning of preparations for the FWA’s 2026 International Business Conference , which we are thrilled to host in the UAE next April. We extend heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency and the Consulate for their generous support and to Elynore Moran for her seamless coordination and professionalism. Each year, the FWA’s International Business Conference explores a region where fundamental investment and business opportunities are emerging. Since 1978—when we were one of the first U.S. delegations to visit China after its reopening—FWA has brought delegates to more than 30 countries across six continents. In every destination, we meet with senior government officials and business leaders to gain firsthand insights into economic conditions and policy strategies that shape global finance. For nearly five decades, the IBC has empowered our members to deepen their understanding of international markets and bring that knowledge back to their careers, companies, and communities in the U.S. As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to spotlight the UAE’s dynamic role in finance, technology, and global diplomacy—and to further cultivate cross-cultural dialogue and professional exchange.