Resilience and perseverance are the two traits that have come to epitomize Hermina 'Nina' Batson, a strategic, mission-driven global executive recognized for her impressive track record in financial services and regulatory engagement. As a senior business leader, Nina possesses invaluable expertise and a distinguished background in regulatory relations, risk management, corporate finance, and successful securitization deals.
With over 30 years of experience, she has worked at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, MetLife, and JPMorgan Chase. Most recently, Nina served as the Global Head of Regulatory Engagement for Barclays' Internal Audit. She holds Series 79 and 63 certifications and has earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, as well as a Certificate in Accounting from Hofstra University.
As a facilitation leader who brings clarity and strong negotiation skills to complex transactions, Nina manages and oversees diverse global teams, delivering top-tier services within large international financial institutions. As a change agent and problem solver, her confident mindset, combined with effective executive communication skills, has enabled her to build and lead collaborative, high-performing cross-functional teams across various regions, consistently achieving and delivering exceptional results, often during times of significant change.
Nina leverages her extensive skills to collaborate with senior management, business leaders, and various departments, including legal, compliance, accounting, audit, tax operations, and risk management. She fosters positive, lasting change, effectively resolves issues, promotes regulatory readiness and transparency across the organization, builds credible relationships with global regulators, and earns trust with key stakeholders and executive leaders. Her ability to synthesize important information into actionable strategies and navigate supervisory environments has led to revenue growth, cost reductions, improved expense planning, optimized headcount, streamlined processes, better workflows, and increased efficiency.
Nina is also committed to doing the right thing and giving back to the community. She is a member of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Equity & Opportunity Advisory Council and the Hofstra Zarb School of Business Dean's Advisory Board. She received the Hofstra Zarb School of Business Alumni of the Year Award in 2024. CIO Views Magazine named her one of the ten Most Successful Black Businesswomen Making a Difference in 2023. In 2022, Crain's New York Business recognized her as one of 105 Notable Black Leaders and Executives. She also received the Markets Choice Awards’ Women in Finance: Excellence in Social Responsibility Award.
Though Nina has received numerous accolades in her career, she does not define success in terms of awards or recognition. Over the years, Nina has defined success in many different ways. In terms of promotion, becoming a leader and a manager of many while successfully navigating and balancing her career as a single mother, her daughter recently graduating college, and pivoting her career post pandemic, are a few of her most recent additional success stories. Now, Nina defines success by building knowledge, fostering a sense of family, mentoring, and finding a sense of purpose.
“It also means being passionate about something, working toward that mission, personally and professionally, and achieving it — sometimes laterally and sometimes taking two steps back to leap forward while realizing that you are making a difference by changing the world one person at a time (if not yourself),” Nina said.
Nina first started attending FWA events as a non-member in 2007 during the financial crisis. After attending many events, that FWA President invited her to get more involved, so she joined the FWA and one of its committees. Since 2009, she has been very active, including (in no particular order) serving as:
- First Black and 58th President of the FWA (2021–2023)
- President Elect and Leadership Council Chair (2019–2021)
- Executive Vice President (2018)
- Vice President of Membership and Engagement Division (2017)
- Membership Chair (2016)
- Membership Co-chair (2015)
- Head of Membership Committee’s Ambassador Program (2014)
- MUFG/FWA President’s Circle Relationship Manager (2009–2021)
- FWA Member at Large (2009–present)
- FWA Immediate Past President (2023–2025)
- Co-chair of the upcoming FWA 70th Anniversary Gala
“Having the privilege to provide executive oversight over dozens of personal and professional development initiatives, featuring and honoring thought leaders that enrich the careers of financial services professionals, and having orchestrated hundreds of events, including an international business conference to Bermuda and the 65th anniversary celebration, both in 2023, have been a few other successes that I’m proud of. The FWA has changed my life. I am honored, proud, and happy to give back via this illustrious organization. We’re here for you throughout your financial services career,” she says.
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Discover More FWA Voices
Explore the recently-released features below, or click here to view the full collection of FWA Voices.
Lily Klebanoff Blake
Lily Klebanoff Blake has over 20 years of experience working in emerging markets. Currently, she is the President of Klebanoff International, a business consultancy focused on the countries of the Former Soviet Union and China. Prior to that, Lily was the Executive Director of the American Medical Consortium, which facilitated entry of Fortune 500 companies (Colgate-Palmolive, Hewlett Packard, Pfizer, and Amoco) into the Soviet market.
Laura Smith Dunaief
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Nancy Ancovitz
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Kari Desai
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Kristel Philogene
Kristel Philogene is an accomplished business leader at BNY, located in New York, and known for leading cross-functional initiatives that enhance regulatory risk governance. She collaborates closely with senior stakeholders to design and implement scalable frameworks aimed at reducing regulatory risk while supporting efficient and reliable operational delivery. Kristel is recognized for her pragmatic, results-oriented leadership, aligning teams around measurable objectives, fostering accountability, and advancing organizational effectiveness.
Darcy Flanders
Darcy Ann Flanders is a seasoned professional in the creative services industry, renowned for her expertise in financial branding, design and communication. As an early entrepreneur her career spans over three decades, during which time she has played a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of financial messaging for her clients.
Elizabeth Green
Elizabeth Green is the Director of Global Brand Value Chain for Clinique at The Estée Lauder Companies. With over 15 years of experience in the consumer goods and supply chain industries, she brings a strong passion for beauty and luxury goods to her role.
Jenn Feliberty
Jenn grew up in the family business. When most teens were invited to Quinceañera parties, she was the one organizing the contracts in Spanish & English. She realized that she could serve the business more as a financial specialist than going anywhere near the glue gun. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Buffalo and a Masters in Finance from University of Rochester Simon Business School.
Marie-Helene Kennedy-Payen
"Serving is an honor and a vote of confidence. When we're given the opportunity to volunteer, it means others trust us to carry forward a mission that matters. We're not just filling a role, we're being entrusted with meaningful work, a privilege that reflects belief in our dedication and our ability to advance a purpose larger than ourselves."
Richard Hartman
I am Richard Hartman, a Business Consultant forged in the crucible of the Employee Benefits and Risk Management sectors, an industry leader in the vibrant realms of Food & Beverage and Hospitality. My story began in 1979, stepping into the insurance arena fresh out of college, eager to make my mark.
Hermina 'Nina' Batson
Resilience and perseverance are the two traits that have come to epitomize Hermina 'Nina' Batson, a strategic, mission-driven global executive recognized for her impressive track record in financial services and regulatory engagement. As a senior business leader, Nina possesses invaluable expertise and a distinguished background in regulatory relations, risk management, corporate finance, and successful securitization deals.
Leya Yusupov
Hi, my name is Leya Yusupov, and I am truly honored to be one of the voices of the Financial Women’s Association (FWA)! I was born in the former Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union collapsed my family immigrated to the United States as religious refugees. We left everything behind in search of freedom, opportunity, and a place where we could practice our faith openly. Our journey was not easy—we spent seven months in Austria and Italy before finally arriving in the U.S.—but we never lost hope in the American dream.
Tara Smith
Tara’s journey has been shaped by a genuine passion for people and possibility. From the earliest days of her career, she discovered that she loved helping others grow - whether that meant guiding colleagues through challenges, finding a new role, or designing programs that unlocked potential. Over the years, she has built a reputation as a trusted advisor who combines business acumen with empathy, always keeping both organizational goals and individual needs in focus.
Maria Maris
From a young woman stepping off a plane into a country she had never seen, armed only with determination and an unshakable belief in possibility, Maria C. Maris has built a career that spans continents, industries, and transformations. Today, she is a global human resources executive and transformation leader with over twenty years of experience guiding multinational organizations through change — from pre-IPO readiness to large-scale global integrations.
Albana Theka
Albana Theka is a visionary leader in data, analytics, and finance who blends her passion for technology with a proven record in healthcare finance. Raised in a small city in southern Albania, Albana arrived in the United States at the age of 17—alone, hopeful, and determined to build a brighter future. Her parents, drawing strength from a tumultuous era in Albanian history, sent her across the world on a $6,000 loan—a life-altering leap of faith.














