Empowering Success: How the FWA Mentoring Program Transforms Lives

By Joanna Jordan, FWA Intern "Give me an F! Give me a W! Give me an A! F-W-A!" This was the level of non-stop energy and overwhelming passion that lit up the SMBC Group offices at our Annual Meeting and New Member Welcome on June 10, 2025. It wasn’t just any Annual Meeting; it was a moment of reinvention. The FWA turned the page and stepped into a bold new chapter with the official welcome of our new President, Albana Theka. Albana didn’t just step onto the stage. She owned it. She stepped into the role with fire, flair, and a plan that’s as fearless as she is. Her speech was not your typical podium read. It was intimate, real and relatable. Albana took the audience on a personal journey, from her roots in Albania to her bold leap to the U.S. in search of purpose. A Google search led her to the FWA in 2019, and the rest is history. From that digital moment to this very real one, her journey came full circle. Now, she’s here to lead. And she’s not playing small. With big goals such as a 20% increase in membership, four new corporate partnerships, a digital transformation, and four brand-new committees (hello Florida, AI, Voices of the FWA, and Lifescape), Albana is shaping a future full of purpose and power. And her energy while doing it? Absolutely contagious. The night wrapped with a surprise musical performance by Albana and George Theka, her husband. It was a heartfelt tribute to the FWA and everything our community stands for, and it was unforgettable. With our 70th anniversary on the horizon, the FWA isn’t just celebrating legacy. It’s rewriting the future, with more voices, more impact, and more fire than ever before. Ready to be part of what’s next? Connect with Albana , follow us on LinkedIn , and join this powerful movement. Let’s build this exciting new chapter together! 

The Financial Women's Association (FWA) proudly kicked off another impactful summer of the Wall Street Exchange Program on June 11, 2025. The program is now approaching its 50th year of advancing excellence, connection, and leadership for the next generation of financial professionals. This year’s program opened with a dynamic, high-energy event hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at their Midtown NYC office. We are deeply grateful to Megan Restuccia, Priya Chesnutt, PhD, Tomris Postaci, and the rest of the dynamic AWS team for their warm hospitality. It was a seamless orchestration of a powerful evening that brought together 70 exceptional interns representing financial services, insurance, and other finance-related roles across the industry. The kickoff included an engaging speed networking bingo activity, which was a big hit! The interns made meaningful new connections, broke the ice with future collaborators, and began building the kind of professional relationships that often lead to lifelong friendships and mentorships. As one intern said: “This is a huge opportunity to connect with so many people in the finance industry. I’m looking forward to making new friends and having an incredible summer. Thank you all for making this possible.” With the bar set high, the 2025 Wall Street Exchange Program is officially underway, and we look forward to a summer full of learning, growth, and transformative connections. A heartfelt thank you goes to the FWA leadership who helped make this evening possible, including FWA President Albana Theka who welcomed the interns and offered words of wisdom to help them succeed; Alissa Desmarais, Executive Director & COO; and Meredith McGriff, Director of Technology and Communications. Their presence and support are instrumental to the continued success of the WSE program. The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA Firms for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming the new and returning Financial Women’s Association Board Members for the 2025-2026 term. We look forward to working with you to support and serve our community. Thank you for your leadership and service!