My name is Minahil Akmal. I grew up in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, in a family that placed education at the center of everything. With my mother as a doctor and my father a businessman, I was raised to see education as the most powerful enabler of opportunity. As the eldest of six sisters, I naturally became a role model and trailblazer—paving the way for my siblings and cousins to pursue education and careers abroad.
I began my career as a Finance Analyst in Treasury, where I gained hands-on experience on the repo desk and funding operations and witnessed large financial merger firsthand. This experience gave me early exposure to the complexity of financial markets, legal entity structures, and how institutions navigate crisis.
After several years, I returned to Pakistan to honor a promise to my parents and help run my family’s textile business as COO of a weaving unit with more than 2,200 employees. Immersing myself in operations, supply chain, and textile sales, I learned how to lead at scale, balance financial discipline with operational excellence, and adapt to an entirely different business environment.
Eventually, I transitioned into management consulting, where I have spent most of my career advising G-SIB banks and asset managers. I’ve led transformative projects, built strong relationships with C-suite executives, opened new business opportunities, and developed alliances and go-to-market strategies that deliver sustainable growth.
At the heart of my journey is a passion for breaking barriers and building bridges. From being the first in my family to work abroad, to leading thousands of employees in Pakistan, to advising the world’s largest financial institutions, I remain committed to proving that gender should never define opportunity.
I was the first girl in my family to study abroad, and that decision opened doors for all five of my sisters and many of my cousins. I attended Mount Holyoke College, one of the first women’s colleges in the U.S., and that experience shaped me into who I am today—confident, ambitious, and committed to the belief that the sky is the limit. It instilled in me the conviction that gender should never define opportunity.
The mission of the FWA—advancing women and creating equal opportunity—aligns deeply with my own journey. After Mount Holyoke, I missed the intellectual conversations and community of women who made me feel like anything was possible. FWA gave me a way to reconnect with that energy, surround myself with inspiring women, and invest in a cause that is very close to my heart.
I was first introduced to the FWA over by Katrin who encouraged me to get involved and gave the opportunity to host an international business conference. That experience was pivotal—it not only strengthened my leadership skills but also helped me realize what I most enjoy doing and broadened my professional and personal network.
The FWA has had a profound impact on both my career and my personal development. Professionally, it has provided me with opportunities to showcase leadership, expand my network, and collaborate with inspiring women leaders across industries. Hosting events and contributing to initiatives has sharpened my skills in strategy, relationship building, and thought leadership.
On a personal level, the FWA has given me a renewed sense of purpose and community. It has reconnected me to the kind of intellectual conversations and supportive environment I cherished at Mount Holyoke. The women I’ve met through FWA continually remind me that anything is possible, and they inspire me to keep opening doors for the next generation.
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.
