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

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. 

Member2Member Applications Open - Apply for Mentorship Today

September 2, 2025
The FWA Member2Member mentoring program helps advance the FWA mission of accelerating leadership and success of women in the financial community. The program pairs experienced FWA members with those eager to build leadership skills and advance their careers. We're pleased to announce that the next cohort of the Member2Member program will run from November 2025 through April 2026. Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is Monday, October 6, 2025 .* Our goal is to create meaningful mentor and mentee partnerships where pairs work together to identify strengths, uncover opportunities, and empower the mentee. We also encourage networking and reverse mentoring among members of the cohort. Interested in participating? Learn more here! *The Member2Member program is only open to FWA members. Not currently a member? Join or renew today!

Stories From School: Moments that Matter

August 21, 2025
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 .

2026 FWA International Business Conference: Join Us in UAE!

August 19, 2025
We are excited to announce that the Financial Women’s Association is planning to host its next International Business Conference in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in April 2026. This one-week immersive conference will feature high-level meetings with financial leaders, global innovators, and cultural experiences. If you’d like to receive early updates and priority access as plans develop, please complete the short interest form below. Space will be limited.
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