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.
After seventeen years as a Senior Fixed Income Trader, Jenn decided to join the team in 2020. Becoming an advisor comes with a personal story of how a reversible medical situation kept her out of work for over 90 days. "I wish someone had the conversation with me, that protecting your income and financial well-being is just as important as growing your wealth. I've made it a mission to educate people that your story can be better than mine". Jenn gives her time to the FWA, EPIC LI & serving as the University of Rochester Co-Chair Latin Alumni Network.
I still remember my first FWA event. At the time, I was a fixed income trader focused on International & Emerging Market trading. While the technical side of emerging markets was somewhat digestible, the politics were a whole different recipe. In my quest to grasp the political ingredients of the Russian government, I discovered a talk by Columbia University professor Padma Desai at an FWA event in 2006, where she gave insights on her book.* This day stands out in my mind because I struggled at the time to embrace networking. It seemed that my mind surrounded itself to making time to learn or grasp analytical conversations to further my career. It is through the FWA that I learned that creating a community of like-minded individuals who have my career and best interests at heart was equally important.
Fast forward to the 2013 International Business Conference held in Washington DC where I was a delegate. The experience of organizing such a large event—with all its travel, lodging, and distinguished speaking logistics—was invaluable and taught me how to be a leader in various roles. I volunteered to take the minutes during our planning meetings, not fully understanding what it entailed but eager to engage. Taking notes was second nature to me, so it felt like a natural fit.
After a memorable tour of the Pentagon, we were scheduled to meet a US Air Force Member of the Senior Executive Service. Being in the Pentagon, surrounded by so much history, was awe-inspiring. By the time our program began, I realized I was the first woman to enter the auditorium, reminiscent of a college lecture hall. I instinctively sat in the very last row. Past FWA President Susan Harper, whom I admired for her gentle yet direct manner, noticed I was sitting far back and asked why. Paraphrasing her words, she said, "Come to the front—you should always feel like you belong there". It was the first time someone encouraged me to take up space and be where the action is. Now, whenever the voice in my head tells me to shrink, I recall that day and confidently move to the front.
During this period, my role as a fixed income trader was demanding, set within a challenging, male-dominated environment. However, my time in DC was transformative; it marked the last time I allowed myself to shrink and signaled the beginning of a new chapter in my journey. The FWA committee became a crucial outlet, empowering me to step away from negativity and embrace my presence. These pivotal experiences have enriched my contributions to various committees and, professionally, have given me the courage to identify where I can truly make a difference—a journey that began with the FWA.
*Conversation on Russia by Padma Desai is the book referenced.
New Paragraph
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
After building a successful 20-year career in retail and wholesale financial services, Laura Smith Dunaief made a bold pivot. In 2003, she launched CareerCraft, a consultancy focused on helping organizations strengthen leadership, communication, change management, and relationship-building skills.
Nancy Ancovitz
Nancy Ancowitz prepares senior leaders and rising talent for high-stakes presentations, meetings, and interviews where crisp communication shapes outcomes. As a career strategist and trusted advisor, she partners with clients and graduate students to prepare for consequential leadership moments.
Kari Desai
Kari Desai is the Vice President of Product Development at CNO Financial Group, where she leads the enterprise-wide design and execution of insurance product development across the Consumer and Worksite Divisions. Since joining CNO in 2022, Kari has overseen the end-to-end creation and enhancement of products across multiple product lines and brands, shaping product roadmaps that balance market opportunity, customer needs, and cross-functional execution.
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.
