2024 Wall Street Exchange Provides Networking Guidance

June 28, 2024

The FWA’s Wall Street Exchange Program launched on June 11. The 2024 program includes 57 participants interning at 18 firms and representing 38 different schools.

 

Wall Street Exchange (WSE) augments the summer internship experience of rising college seniors with weekly career development events that help them develop professional and career management skills. During the opening session, interns participated in series of networking breakout sessions designed to facilitate introductions and help them build bonds that will continue throughout the summer program – and their careers.

What does it take to build a strong network? During the second WSE session on June 18, interns learned how to break the ice and build rapport, effective uses of online networking tools, and the importance of authenticity.

 

Dan Yu of FastBook Advisors moderated a high-energy panel discussion and shared his own insights, drawing on his experience coaching early careerists to seasoned executives on career path strategy and career management.

 

Panelists Aidi Zheng of BMO Capital Markets, Paige Derlinga of Citizens Financial Group, and Amber Doreen of J.P. Morgan generously shared their own career experiences and guidance for making the most of networking opportunities during the lively session.

Thank you to the 2024 Wall Street Exchange sponsors that make this program possible: Citizens Bank, BMO Capital Markets, J.P. Morgan, Oliver Wyman, Amazon Web Services, New York Life, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Thanks, as well, to the WSE Co-chairs and Committee members, our President’s Circle firms, and to FWA leadership and the FWA office team for their support.

 

Click here to learn more about the Wall Street Exchange program. For questions about the program, please contact Kelsie Piersaint, the FWA’s Next-Gen Educational Programs Manager.

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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 .

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Wall Street Exchange Celebrates Graduation

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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.

FWA Summer 2025: Connection, Celebration, Community

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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.
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