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Paving the Way Forward: Maitri Pandya and the Power of Mentorship

December 12, 2024

When Maitri Pandya first joined the FWA's Baruch College Mentoring Program, she had a clear goal: to learn and grow in her chosen field of investment banking. What she didn’t anticipate was how deeply the program would shape both her academic and personal life. Now a senior at Baruch College, Maitri reflects on how the program has been a cornerstone of her development and how it has sparked a deep passion for mentorship.


“I’ve built meaningful connections with peers and industry professionals, but my mentor, Laleh Bashirrad, has been the most impactful part of this journey,” Maitri shares.


Laleh, a Managing Director at BNP Paribas—a proud President’s Circle Sponsor of the FWA—has dedicated 25 years to the firm. But what truly sets Laleh apart isn’t just her impressive credentials, but her deep empathy and unwavering support for Maitri. From their very first meeting, it was clear that their connection was special. "Laleh is not just a powerhouse in finance; she’s family-oriented, grounded, and someone who genuinely cares about my personal and professional growth," Maitri says.


One particularly poignant moment that stands out to Maitri was during her summer internship with BNP Paribas when she felt the pressure of securing a return offer. "I was overwhelmed by the uncertainty of it all, but Laleh reminded me that ‘everything happens for a reason.’ Her guidance gave me the strength to trust the process," Maitri recalls. With Laleh’s support and reassurance, Maitri successfully completed her internship with the Power, Utilities, and Infrastructure team, later securing a role as an Investment Banking Analyst at BMO Capital Markets after graduation.


“The journey is as important as the destination,” Laleh’s words continue to resonate with Maitri today. It’s a perspective that has helped her stay grounded while excelling in her academic and professional pursuits. It also inspired Maitri to take on a leadership role, mentoring underclassmen at Baruch. "I’m passionate about paying it forward. I’ve seen how mentorship can truly transform someone’s career, and I’m excited to do the same for others."


The bond between Maitri and Laleh goes beyond advice on market trends or career strategies. Through their conversations, Maitri has not only developed technical skills but also learned the invaluable art of balancing work with life. "Laleh has shown me how to pursue my ambitions while also appreciating the small wins along the way," Maitri says.

Maitri's growth story is a testament to the ripple effect of mentorship. The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program offers more than just career advice—it creates a community of support, empowerment, and shared values. By guiding young women like Maitri, mentors are paving the way for the next generation of leaders, fostering confidence and resilience in a field that still lacks gender parity.



As Maitri prepares to take the next step in her career, she is already looking ahead to becoming a mentor herself. “The FWA program has taught me how powerful mentorship is. I want to be the mentor that someone like Laleh was for me—someone who listens, believes in potential, and encourages growth.”


Mentoring young women isn’t just about helping them climb the career ladder—it’s about creating a lasting legacy of support, empowerment, and progress. Laleh’s belief in Maitri and the guidance she’s received from the FWA program will continue to have a lasting impact on her career.


Are you ready to help pave the way forward? Join an FWA mentoring program and empower the next generation of women leaders. Connect with our program leads to get started:

Baruch - Betsy Werley ([email protected]) or

Seton Hall - Laura Travers ([email protected]) or Laura Bourgeois ([email protected])

 

Thanks to the generous support of sponsors like BNP Paribas and BMO Capital Markets, the FWA’s Mentoring Programs are transforming lives, one meaningful connection at a time.

FWA Member Darcy Ann Flanders, Founder of BaselineGroupNY, Honored with 2025 WBENC WBE Star Award

February 20, 2025
The prestigious recognition awards 14 woman-owned businesses across the country Darcy Ann Flanders, Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of BaselineGroupNY , has been named a 2025 WBENC WBE Star Award recipient , a national honor celebrating trailblazing women who lead with vision, innovation, and impact while supporting their corporate clients. Selected from a powerful network of certified woman-owned businesses, Flanders stands among 14 honorees nationwide representing WBEC Metro NY, the New York regional partner organization. The award recognizes Flanders as a successful business leader, pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and creating new opportunities for herself, her businesses, and her communities. As the visionary force behind the award-winning creative agency, BaselineGroupNY, Flanders has spent 28 years at the helm transforming brands through compelling stories using visual design. Under her leadership, strategy, and artistry come together to help clients like Capital One, Webster Bank, and Northwell Health cut through the noise with visually impactful creative solutions. For more than 30 years, Flanders has made a name for herself as a trusted leader and partner, combining her extensive expertise with a collaborative approach to help organizations achieve their goals through branding and design. "Receiving the WBENC WBE Star Award is an incredible honor," said Flanders. "At Baseline, we thrive on blending strategy, creativity, and agility to navigate the fast-paced needs of our clients. While we have deep expertise in financial creative services, we proudly serve a wide range of industries, including nonprofit, education, and various service-based sectors. We specialize in bridging the gap between large agencies and in-house teams, seamlessly integrating into existing structures or stepping in as a dedicated creative department for organizations that need targeted support.” Under Flanders’ leadership, Baseline has been a trusted partner in the creative industry since 1997, continuously adapting to the ever-changing landscape. Through the growth of the internet, financial crises, the rise of social media, and the challenges of COVID-19, Baseline weathered each storm—maintaining its reputation and retaining loyal clients who continue to work with them as they join new organizations. The agency has earned recognition from the Financial Communications Society, 2024 MUSE Awards, and 2023 Graphic Design USA. This latest honor from WBENC underscores not just Flanders creative expertise, but her ability to lead and thrive in the face of adversity. BaselineGroupNY looks forward to continuing to deliver the high level of excellence that the 2025 WBENC WBE Star Award espouses for their current and future corporate clients while continuing to influence the future of branding and design. 

Spotlight on FWA President Annette Stewart

January 30, 2025
Strategic planning and vision to advance women in financial services FWA President Annette Stewart’s accomplishments are impressive, to say the least. Not only is she a first-generation college graduate, but she’s also a lawyer and holds an MBA degree. She has nearly 18 years of experience on Wall Street, and still managed to strike the ideal work-life balance. In her most recent role, a senior director focusing on U.S. Business Acceleration and Integration at RBC, she worked remotely from her home in Memphis, TN and traveled to New York City for monthly meetings.  Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the FWA’s Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, talked with Annette about her career, her leadership journey at the FWA and how the organization has contributed to her success.

Registration Open for 2025 FWA International Business Conference

January 16, 2025
Join us in France!  We invite you to join us as a delegate for our upcoming FWA International Business Conference (IBC) , taking place in Paris from March 9–14, 2025 . As always, our IBCs are a great opportunity to learn in an international setting, build your professional career, and grow your network. In Paris you will: Engage with industry leaders and experts on topics such as energy, global markets, technology, women’s leadership, and sustainability Spend time at leading companies, including Skadden, RBC, Natixis, Banque Transatlantique, Crédit Mutuel, Groupe BPCE, and JP Morgan Participate in exclusive panels, workshops, and roundtables hosted by esteemed organizations like Université Paris Dauphine-PSL and JP Morgan’s ‘Women on the Move’ Immerse yourself in Parisian culture through curated evening events, networking dinners, and optional site visits. Click here to view a more detailed agenda (in formation). Conference Fees $1,500 Members* $2,000 Non-Members* *Includes a $500 deposit due by 1/31/2025 to secure your spot (non-refundable should you decide to cancel your registration). Full payment is due by 2/15/2025. Individuals are separately responsible for personal travel and accommodations. Suggestions and recommendations will be provided. Support is available from a travel consultant. Secure your spot today! Deposits are due by 1/31/2025. We look forward to being with you in Paris!

Spotlight on Operations Resource Committee Member Susan Migliaccio

January 9, 2025
Strong governance, risk, and controls expertise supports the FWA’s mission If you have a question about driving technological, financial and strategic transformation, Susan Migliaccio is your go-to expert. With over 20 years of experience, she has a proven track record of advising executives in complex organizations on intricate challenges across finance, operations and technology to achieve their goals. Her unique ability to solve problems from multiple functional perspectives provides valuable insights to her clients and teams. She is adept at building strong relationships with clients and bringing the right people together to achieve consensus and drive change.  Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, recently sat down with Susan to discuss how she has brought her expertise to various leadership roles within the FWA.
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