Charlotte Yee's Empowering Journey: FWA Baruch Mentoring Sparks Finance Leadership Momentum

February 5, 2024

In the dynamic realm of finance, Charlotte Yee stands as a formidable presence within the Financial Women's Association - Baruch College Mentoring Program, embodying the program's impact on aspiring young women in finance. Charlotte reflects on her journey, stating, "Being a mentee in the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program has been one of the best things to happen to me personally and professionally."


Fueled by the ambition to grow both personally and professionally during her sophomore years, Charlotte applied for the program, in pursuit of more than just acquiring knowledge – she was looking for a way to advance herself. Charlotte’s mentor, Salome Makharadze, is herself an alumna of the FWA Mentoring Program’s early years; Salome continues to credit her FWA mentor, Francoise Jeanpierre, with her early success. Charlotte found not just guidance but a force propelling her evolution. Salome shares her perspective, stating, "It's been incredibly rewarding to witness Charlotte's growth, both personally and professionally. Our shared experiences have created a strong bond, and I'm proud of the strides she has made."


"Salome has encouraged me to broaden my horizons in both my professional aspirations and personal life. She has inspired me to dream bigger with my career and accept new challenges."


The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program served as the spark for Charlotte's career goals. Salome's counsel transformed Charlotte's approach to a summer internship at BMO Capital Markets in 2023, solidifying banking as a viable and fulfilling path. Charlotte reflects, "Before meeting Salome, all I knew about finance and the banking industry had come from my research online. Salome has encouraged me to broaden my horizons in both my professional aspirations and personal life. She has inspired me to dream bigger with my career and accept new challenges.”


Charlotte is pleased to be joining BMO Capital Markets as a fulltime analyst this summer, after her 2023 BMO Investment Banking Summer Analyst internship. She appreciates BMO’s commitment to Equity Through Education and the FWA, and its supportive culture. Charlotte has fast-forwarded her knowledge of finance with a multiple firms: she was a Growth Equity Immersion Program Participant at PeakSpan Capital in 2023, a Venture Capital Spring Analyst at SoundBoard Venture Fund, and she’s currently a Founders Fellow at Centerbridge Partners, L.P.


The program's impact transcends formal mentorship, weaving influence through various FWA Baruch events. Charlotte's interactions with informal mentors inspired her to seize control of her career, discern priorities, and fearlessly navigate the professional landscape.


As Charlotte envisions herself becoming a mentor, the program's influence on her perception of giving back becomes evident. Already applying to mentor high school students in the New York City area, Charlotte is poised to contribute to the growth and success of future generations, embodying the spirit of mentorship that has shaped her formidable journey.


While January was National Mentoring Month, Charlotte's narrative serves as a rallying call. Her journey is an anthem of empowerment within the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program.


For those ready to mentor a promising college student navigating the business landscape, reach out to the program leads:

Baruch - Betsy Werley ([email protected]) or

Seton Hall - Donna Harris ([email protected]) or Lu Licciardello ([email protected])


Join the league of mentors sculpting the future of finance and empowering the next wave of leaders.

Photo from the FWA-Baruch College Mentoring Program's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured: (L-R) Charlotte Yee, Salome Makharadze, Nayancie Matthews , and Françoise Jeanpierre

FWA Annual Summit Recap: Disrupting Wall Street

October 24, 2025
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Financial Women's Association's Annual Summit: Disrupting Wall Street highlighted how disruption is touching every aspect of our industry - from our cities and workplaces to the global economy. From Kathryn Wylde's call to rebuild public-private partnerships to Rick Rieder's global outlook, we were reminded that we're living through a new kind of industrial revolution. Every session pushed us to think bigger. We began with a powerful keynote from Kathryn Wylde who reminded us of the urgent need to revive public–private partnerships, particularly amid uncertainty in our own city. Conversations in following panels turned to the adoption of AI within individual firms, and considered how it is changing how we work on a day-to-day basis, fundamental aspects of our organizational structures and how they operate, and wider macro implications of advances in technology which will foundationally impact employment and education. Many speakers addressed the fact that we will need to learn to manage the masses of data at our disposal and the various implications of its usage. We are seeing the rise of the sophisticated retail investor in the markets, and increased discussions about the role of private credit markets. Here in NYC, we are known as the hub for Fintech and second only to Silicon Valley in venture capital. There is a revolution going on here too from increased investment in helping people to build financial resiliency or the disruption of the ecosystem to bring more capital to female or mixed gender led businesses. The enormity of the upcoming wealth transfer to women will only exacerbate this change. Yet amid all the talk of advances in technology and continued innovation, one key message came through clearly: the human component remains front and center. Leaders shared the value they place in collaboration and networking, and numerous speakers emphasized the concept of trust, whether it is between private and public partnerships, the ability of leaders to support their employees as AI is adopted within their firms, the relationships with regulators, or the acceleration of Fintech. Culture and behavior are also key; many of our speakers talked about experimentation, democratization, and staying curious. They reminded us not to be afraid of change and to seek out others to learn from. While some of these things may at times feel daunting, it can also be a time of exhilaration. We at the FWA are excited to be a part of your journey through all of this - supporting our members as they navigate and shape the future of finance. Thank you to our incredible host, Amazon Web Services (AWS), our Summit Sponsors Korn Ferry, Trianz, Concierto, and N-iX, our Promotional Partners Al NYC, TechWalk NYC, and This Week in Fintech, and our event organizers, the FWA Annual Summit and Fintech Committees. To every speaker, attendee, and committee member who helped make the day unforgettable, thank you for showing up ready to learn, share, and make an impact.

Registration is Open for the 2026 FWA International Business Conference in the United Arab Emirates

October 9, 2025
We invite you to join us as a delegate for our upcoming International Business Conference (IBC) , which will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on April 19-24, 2026 . This event will provide members with career-enhancing insights and create a unique opportunity to connect with influential leaders abroad. Join us to: Explore new developments in finance, investment, and sustainability in the UAE Develop an understanding of the UAE’s role in global markets and sovereign wealth investment Gain insights into innovation, fintech, and energy transition Engage in discussions about best practices in corporate governance, diversity, and leadership Build your professional network through direct access to regional and global business leaders Click here to learn more!

Hermina “Nina” Batson: Fearless Leadership and a Lasting Legacy in Mentorship

October 2, 2025
What happens when a setback sparks a calling? For Hermina “Nina” Batson, walking away from electrical engineering wasn’t the end of her high school dream; it was the start of a fearless career in financial services—one built on integrity, courage, resilience, fortitude, determination, and a strong commitment to giving back. The daughter of Panamanian parents, Nina grew up on Long Island. At Hofstra University, she took steps to create opportunities for every student to feel included and have the chance to succeed. “Every student must have the opportunity to be successful, even if they don’t know how,” she says, a belief that continues to guide her. Long before Nina became a corporate leader, she taught financial literacy to underserved individuals in the communities she served, helping them understand the basics of money management and find pathways to independence. Mentoring, in one form or another, has always been part of her story.

New Report Calls for Systemic Change in Finance Workplaces - Driving Effectiveness, Innovation, and Profitability

September 4, 2025
The Financial Women’s Association (FWA) announces the release of a new white paper, The Post-Pandemic Return Among Women in Finance , authored by cultural anthropologist Dr. Melissa Suzanne Fisher. Commissioned by the FWA, the report examines how return-to-office policies and shifting workplace norms continue to shape careers in the financial services industry and outlines practical steps firms can take to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces. Based on pandemic and post-pandemic research, the report offers an analysis of challenges that remain highly relevant today: balancing work and family responsibilities, supporting employee well-being, and dismantling systemic barriers that hinder career success. Drawing on interdisciplinary social sciences and firsthand accounts, the report highlights persistent cultural and structural barriers that limit progress across the industry. The report highlights that while the pandemic's remote work experiments offered employees new ways to balance work and personal life, the push for a full-time return to the office threatens this progress. Key recommendations highlighted in the report include: Responsibility of caregiving and work/life balance should be shared across the organization, rather than leaving individuals to manage these challenges alone. Firms should focus on addressing bias and discrimination embedded in their systems, not just changing individual attitudes. New models of mentoring and support are needed to reflect evolving work environments (such as hybrid work) and changing employee needs. Dr. Fisher, author of Wall Street Women , and a faculty member at Parsons School of Design, as well as a Senior Advisor at CFAR Consulting and Coaching Services, argues that supporting employees in balancing work, family, and personal needs is not only the right thing to do - it also drives innovation, effectiveness, and long-term profitability. The Financial Women’s Association has championed the advancement of women across the financial industry for nearly 70 years. This report adds to that tradition by offering actionable strategies firms can adopt to create more welcoming, supportive, and equitable workplaces so all employees can thrive. 
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