From Albania to FWA President: My Story, My Vision, Our Future

July 3, 2025

It was only a couple of weeks ago that I stood in front of many of you at our Annual Members Meeting. The moment I took the stage as the 60th President of the Financial Women’s Association, I felt a wave of gratitude—not just for the role, but for the road that brought me here.


That road started thousands of miles away, in a small city in southern Albania.


I was 16 years old when I told my parents I wanted to go to America—not just to visit, but to live, to learn, to build something bigger than what I could see around me. Although a difficult decision, my parents supported me. They knew that as a woman, growing up in a country that had seen communism, a difficult transition to democracy, civil war and refugee crisis, I wouldn’t have the same opportunities if I had stayed.


That decision would change my life forever.

I left home in August 1999 with a suitcase, a laminated photo of my family—which I always keep in my wallet—and a heart full of hope. I wouldn’t see my parents again for six years.


My first stop was Kentucky where I lived with a host family, I experienced American culture, worked hard and graduated in the top 10 of my class. I then moved to New York City and attended St. Francis College while working at Ridgewood Savings Bank. I earned my MBA while navigating long subway rides, late-night study sessions, and learning to build a life in a city that never stops moving.


I had dreams of Wall Street, but I graduated into the 2008 financial crisis—a time when the path forward wasn’t clear. Still, luck met preparation. I joined NYU Langone as a budget analyst, and over 12 years, I rose to become Director of Financial Planning & Analysis.


NYU gave me more than a job. It gave me a mentor—Susan DiGeronimo-Wild. Susan believed in me, promoted me, challenged me, and supported me like a second mother. She was the kind of leader I hope to be. When I met my husband George, I even sought Susan’s blessing—because I trusted her guidance that much. George and I built a life together, and he gave me my two greatest joys: Leo and Emily.


And yet, even the most stable chapters eventually turn. When Susan left NYU in 2019, I felt adrift. I began asking: What’s next? Where do I belong now?


Like many of us do in moments of transition, I turned to Google. I typed: “Women in Finance.”


That’s when I discovered the FWA.


Finding My Place


I received a message from Marie-Helene Kennedy-Payen shortly after joining—kind, welcoming, warm. That message changed everything. I went to my first event and met Simone Vinocour and Nina Batson—then President and President-Elect. I remember thinking: How often do you walk into a new organization and are immediately greeted by its leadership?


I felt seen. I felt like I belonged.


In 2020, when the pandemic hit and I, like so many others, lost my job, FWA became more than a network—it became my anchor. Marie-Helene and I started a weekly Friday accountability call to stay focused and push each other forward. We still have those calls, five years later.


From there, I leaned in—deeply. I joined the Membership & Engagement Committee, the Financial Backpack Committee, and the Member-to-Member Mentorship Program, where I had the incredible fortune to be paired with Annette Stewart.


Annette’s belief in me pushed me to run for President-Elect. And that’s the thread running through my entire story—people who believed in me when I needed it most.


That’s the heart of FWA.


My Vision as President


As I begin this year of service, I carry with me every challenge, every leap, and every lesson I’ve learned—from my childhood in a post-communist country to building a career and a family in America.


I also carry a vision for what FWA can continue to be:

  • A community where every woman feels seen.
  • A space where potential is met with possibility.
  • A network that doesn’t just elevate resumes—but lives.


This year, I’m focused on three bold goals:

  • Grow our membership by 20% — expanding our reach and deepening our impact.
  • Establish four new corporate partnerships — bringing in mission-aligned organizations to fuel our work.
  • Strengthen our digital presence — making FWA more visible, accessible, and influential.


We’re already rolling out new initiatives. We’re bringing back the Executive Leaders Committee, building up the Florida, AI, Lifescape, and FWA Voices committees, in addition to planning our 70th anniversary celebration, and investing in stronger programming to serve each stage of our members’ careers.


Because who we serve is central to everything:

  • Next Gen & Emerging Leaders – students and early-career professionals building a foundation
  • Rising Stars – mid-career women navigating growth, influence, and leadership
  • Senior Visionaries – executives seeking thought leadership, board presence, and legacy
  • Legacy Champions – retired trailblazers who continue to give back
  • Strategic Allies – male champions committed to equity and inclusion


My Call to You


This community is only as powerful as the people within it.


If you’re already a member, I hope you’ll re-engage with purpose—


If you’re new to FWA or considering joining: welcome. There is a place here for you, no matter your stage or story.


You are FWA’s greatest ambassador. Your story, your voice, your presence—they matter.


Together, let’s build a future where women in finance don’t just survive… we lead, we thrive, and we lift others as we rise.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. I’m honored to lead, serve, and grow with you.


With gratitude and purpose,


Albana Theka

President 2025-2027

Financial Women’s Association



P.S. Let’s put the fun back in FWA. Our work is serious, but our joy is powerful. Here’s to a transformative year—together.

WSE Interns Get a Firsthand Look at the Future of Finance

August 20, 2026
The fifth session of the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program , held on Tuesday, July 14, brought together students, industry leaders, and a program alumnus for an engaging discussion on the future of finance, financial technology, artificial intelligence, and career development. WSE committee member Amber Doreen welcomed the participants and introduced the session's moderator, Yanique Williams Elliott, a Wall Street Exchange alumna, technologist, founder, and venture capitalist. The discussion featured accomplished professionals representing venture capital, technology, operations, and financial services, Souky Dolinsek, Vice President of Operations at Billford; Shade Alcine, Renewal Manager at Human Security; and Alix Jules, Head of AI Transformation at Broadridge. The panel began by exploring the defining moments that required the speakers to make difficult career decisions. They discussed changing industries, accepting unfamiliar responsibilities, and entering roles that required them to build processes from the ground up. Several panelists candidly discussed experiencing imposter syndrome, especially when entering unfamiliar environments or participating in conversations with senior executives. The panel also explored how artificial intelligence is changing the speed, scope, and nature of financial work. AI can assist with financial modeling, forecasting, bookkeeping, data analysis, investor materials, and other time-intensive responsibilities. Employers will increasingly expect professionals to use AI as a productivity partner. The strongest employees will be those who can combine technological fluency with sound judgment, creativity, and strategic thinking. The discussion explored in depth the intersection of blockchain, tokenization, digital assets, and the rise of digital workforces. Another important discussion focused on the distinction between mentors and sponsors. Mentors speak to you. They provide advice, encouragement, perspective, and guidance while helping you navigate professional decisions. Sponsors speak about you. They are often senior leaders who advocate for you when you are not present, recommend you for significant assignments, and use their organizational influence to support your advancement. As technology continues to evolve, the panel identified several key skills of the future and qualities that will remain essential. Curiosity was highlighted as a particularly valuable quality among 10 others. Interns should ask to attend meetings, learn how other departments operate, and speak with colleagues whose work interests them. Unless a meeting is confidential, employees may be willing to allow an intern to observe and learn. The panel concluded with several memorable lessons for the interns: “Consistency beats perfection.” “Do not become too comfortable.” “Trust the process.” The WSE Co-Chairs, Gerri Feemster Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, and the WSE Committee extend their heartfelt thanks to moderator, Yanique Williams Elliott and our panelists, Souky Dolinsek, Shade Alcine, and Alix Jules, for generously sharing their time, experiences, and valuable career insights with our participants.

Preparing for What's Next: Cailyn Kitchens and the Power of Mentorship

August 13, 2026
by Robert Brown "I believe that mentorship is incredibly valuable, especially during college as you are navigating a lot of changes and first-time experiences." For Cailyn Kitchens, a junior at Baruch College, those words aren't simply a reflection on her college experience. They've become the foundation of how she's prepared for her future. Following her junior-year internship at Scotiabank, Cailyn credits the Financial Women's Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program and her mentor, Laleh Bashirrad, Managing Director at BNP Paribas, with helping her approach one of the most pivotal chapters of her college journey with greater confidence, curiosity, and perspective.

Wall Street Exchange Interns Get an Inside Look at Strategic Communications

August 6, 2026
On July 7, 2026, interns in the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program came together virtually for the fourth session of the summer, titled “Strategic Communications,” sponsored by Joele Frank. Jordan Resnick, HR Specialist, and Heather Wallach, Talent Acquisition Manager, introduced interns to Joele Frank and the world of strategic communications, a field many interns had never considered as part of the financial services landscape. Jordan and Heather explained that Joele Frank advises companies through their most consequential moments, from mergers and acquisitions to shareholder activism, restructuring, leadership transitions, and crisis response, ranking as the #1 U.S. M&A PR advisor and #1 shareholder activism defense advisor in the industry. To bring the firm’s work to life, Jordan and Heather walked interns through several high-profile engagements, including Joele Frank’s support of Warner Bros. Discovery, a current client, as an example of how the firm helps companies navigate high-stakes, high-visibility situations in real time. The discussion underscored that effective strategic communications require not just managing a narrative, but protecting a company’s credibility with every audience watching, from investors and employees to the media and the public. Jordan and Heather also broke down the many disciplines that fall under the strategic communications umbrella, including investor relations, corporate and media relations, governance and corporate stewardship, design, and digital strategy. They emphasized that the firm hires like a law firm, bringing on Account Associates directly out of undergrad, and encouraged interns interested in the field to build strong writing skills, stay current on financial news through outlets like The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, and consider Joele Frank’s summer internship or full-time Account Associate programs as a path into the industry. Interns had the opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentation before breaking into small groups to discuss their key takeaways from the session and reflect on what they had learned so far this summer. Many interns shared that the session reshaped their understanding of what a career in PR actually looks like, moving past common misconceptions to reveal a discipline built on strategy, judgment, and relationships. Several groups also highlighted the session’s emphasis on soft skills, noting how much communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence matter in a field so often mistaken for being purely about writing press releases. At the conclusion of the session, the WSE spun the wheel to award a CFA Society Student Membership, sponsored by the CFA Society, to Sarah Convery. Congrats, Sarah! A huge thank you to Jordan Resnick, Heather Wallach, and the entire Joele Frank team for giving interns a behind-the-scenes look at the strategic communications industry. 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 for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program. 

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn Foundations for Professional Excellence

July 30, 2026
On June 23, 2026, the FWA's Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program 2026 cohort gathered virtually for the third weekly session of the program. The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm known for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Brian Marks, Co-Founder and President of Knopman Marks & Highwire, led a practical, high-energy conversation titled "Foundations for Professional Excellence." The first topic that Brian discussed was the habits that drive a successful early career and why those habits matter well beyond an internship. The skills interns build now are the same ones that separate a good intern from a great one; and that later separate a good professional from a high performer. He described high performance, not as a matter of raw talent, but rather as a set of behaviors one can practice. The habits put in place early are the ones that compound. The interns who start practicing them now are the ones who carry them from an internship with limited responsibilities into executive-level responsibility later. The interns then reviewed a series of four credibility builders and four credibility killers, proactive behaviors that shape how senior professionals come to trust a young professional. Owning your mistakes and learning from them is a key credibility builder and surprising your manager with bad news at the last minute is a major credibility killer. The interns then rated themselves on a Strategic Action Matrix, a four-box framework charting how strategy: “Are you focused on the right things?” interacts with execution: “Are you doing the work to get there?”. He asked interns to consider one or two new habits they could put to work immediately. Brian impressed upon the interns that professional excellence is thinking strategically and executing well, while stepping outside their comfort zone, stretching past their limits and building resilience when the plan changes. Brian then introduced the five strategies in The Intern Success Playbook, emphasizing that interns are building their personal brand every day through what others observe. Whether it's staying focused instead of constantly checking a mobile phone or taking the initiative to connect with colleagues, everyday actions shape how others perceive them. His five strategies focused on working and communicating smarter, building authentic relationships, and paying close attention to perception and details. The interactive format kept energy high. Interns enjoyed the live Q&A, the quiz, and the chance to ask questions. A screen full of Zoom hearts spoke to the value they found in his advice. A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing their time and expertise in the WSE 2026 cohort. The session concluded with the WSE Committee awarding intern Sarah Convery a CFA Student Annual Membership, sponsored by the CFA Society. The WSE Co-Chairs, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, and the WSE Committee extend their sincere appreciation to Brian Marks and Knopman Marks for their support in making this virtual session a success. We also thank the FWA President Albana Theka, FWA leadership, volunteers, sponsoring firms, and participating employers for their continued commitment to providing this valuable experience to the next generation of financial professionals. 
More Posts