Volunteer for Financial Backpack!

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.

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. 

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.