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Women's History Month - FWA's 1996 Public/Non-Profit Sector Woman of the Year Madeleine Albright

February 29, 2024

Happy Leap Day! Tomorrow, March 1, marks the beginning of Women’s History Month. Join us this month as we take time to remember that history doesn’t happen, it is made. 


FWA Salutes the History Makers!


Throughout the month, we will be highlighting women from the FWA's history - past presidents, awardees, and others who have made a contribution to paving the way forward for women in our community. Today, we highlight Hon. Madeleine Albright (1937-2022), who famously stated: "There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."


In 1996, the FWA awarded Madeleine Albright Public/Non-Profit Sector Woman of the Year in recognition of her service as U.S. Representative to the United Nations. Later that year, President Clinton appointed her as Secretary of State. Among her prestigious roles, Albright was chief legislative assistant to Senator Edmund Muskie and a member of the White House staff and the National Security Council under President Jimmy Carter.

Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Madeleine Albright immigrated to the U.S. when she was 11 years old. She went on to earn a B.A. in political science from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Public Law and Government from Columbia University. Prior to serving as Secretary of State and U.S. Representative to the United Nations, she worked as a legislative assistant to Senator Edmund Muskie and as a member of President Jimmy Carter’s National Security Council and White House staff.


Albright was known for being a tough-minded advocate for U.S. interests. Her notable achievements included promoting NATO expansion into eastern Europe, nuclear non-proliferation, free-market democratization in the developing world and normalization of relations with Vietnam. Further, she supported ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on Global Climate Change. President Barack Obama awarded Albright the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2012.


Madeleine Albright paved the way forward for the next generation of women, and now it’s your turn to do the same. By giving a small donation each month, you can help support the FWA’s mission to develop and empower women leaders and advance opportunities for all women in finance.

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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