FWA’s International Business Conference Highlights Greece and Awards 2024 FWA Entrepreneur of the Year to Chef Maria Loi

May 21, 2024

FWA's annual conference was held in Greece this year highlighting their economic growth and recovery, drawing distinguished speakers and investors.


NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, May 21, 2024

/EINPresswire.com/


The Financial Women’s Association of New York (FWA), an organization focused on advancing women in the financial industry, recently hosted its annual International Business Conference in Greece, themed ‘Economic Transformation.’ During the conference, FWA President Annette Stewart presented the 2024 FWA Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Chef Maria Loi in recognition of her innovative business approach and entrepreneurial drive.

Chef Loi, celebrated as the Julia Child of Greece, is an acclaimed celebrity chef, restaurateur, and the founder of Loi Food Products, which emphasizes traditional Greek ingredients with an eye on healthy lifestyles. Her role as the host of the award-winning series, "The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets" and her authorship of over 36 cookbooks, exemplify her influence and commitment. She is also a dedicated philanthropist through her work with various foundations and charitable organizations such as The Center for Discovery, The Loukoumi Make-A-Difference Foundation, Citymeals on Wheels, and others, as well as the foundation she helped start, Elpida, aiding children with cancer.


"We were honored to be with Chef Loi during the 2024 FWA International Business Conference," said Annette Stewart. "She embodies the passionate, trailblazing spirit that the FWA champions in leadership across the globe. Thank you, Chef Loi, for welcoming the FWA to Greece and for your invaluable contributions for us all."

The conference featured a series of high-level discussions focused on rebuilding Greece through various sectors including property, infrastructure, and energy. Distinguished speakers including H.E. Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of National Economy & Finance and Alex Patelis, Chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, provided insights into Greece's economic strategies, it’s recovery and the nation's strategic vision.

“Here in Greece, we also heard about the challenges presented by the energy transition which is being addressed by governments around the world. Greece has a head start over some on renewables and has also dealt with the reality of finding new sources of energy such as US Liquified Natural Gas. It was an important and interesting discussion,” commented Patti Domm, a senior FWA advisor, board member and conference co-chair.

The week-long event not only covered critical economic discussions, it also offered delegates a cultural immersion into Greece, with meetings in Athens and Santorini, providing the FWA Delegation with a firsthand experience of the vibrant Greek culture and heritage.

“As we look forward to next year’s FWA International Business Conference, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our host country and many speakers for their valuable contributions, building our firsthand experience in Greece," added Stewart.

Corporate sponsors include: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and AKD Wealth Partners.

The conference was brought to fruition through the hard work of IBC Committee Co-Chairs: President Annette Stewart, Anastasia Boukouvala and Patti Domm, with further support from Lori Ioannou, Natalie Iannone, Rosemarie Bonelli, and Jacqueline Linden.


About Financial Women's Association (FWA):
Founded in 1956, the FWA works collaboratively with leading firms to help accelerate mutual goals of advancing the leadership and success of women creating a community of lifelong learners. With over 800 Members – both women and men – and numerous corporate, government, and academic allies, the FWA presents key thought leadership events, builds performance skills, and promotes valuable business connections through networking opportunities for its members. It produces international conferences facilitating exposure to global businesses and economic opportunities. In addition, the FWA gives back to the community and is helping to develop a diverse pipeline of talent by providing scholarships and mentoring to young professionals, and to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to continue their education. Members and student mentees also have access to members-only programs, including professional development workshops and Member2Member mentoring.

FWA Annual Summit Recap: Disrupting Wall Street

October 24, 2025
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the Financial Women's Association's Annual Summit: Disrupting Wall Street highlighted how disruption is touching every aspect of our industry - from our cities and workplaces to the global economy. From Kathryn Wylde's call to rebuild public-private partnerships to Rick Rieder's global outlook, we were reminded that we're living through a new kind of industrial revolution. Every session pushed us to think bigger. We began with a powerful keynote from Kathryn Wylde who reminded us of the urgent need to revive public–private partnerships, particularly amid uncertainty in our own city. Conversations in following panels turned to the adoption of AI within individual firms, and considered how it is changing how we work on a day-to-day basis, fundamental aspects of our organizational structures and how they operate, and wider macro implications of advances in technology which will foundationally impact employment and education. Many speakers addressed the fact that we will need to learn to manage the masses of data at our disposal and the various implications of its usage. We are seeing the rise of the sophisticated retail investor in the markets, and increased discussions about the role of private credit markets. Here in NYC, we are known as the hub for Fintech and second only to Silicon Valley in venture capital. There is a revolution going on here too from increased investment in helping people to build financial resiliency or the disruption of the ecosystem to bring more capital to female or mixed gender led businesses. The enormity of the upcoming wealth transfer to women will only exacerbate this change. Yet amid all the talk of advances in technology and continued innovation, one key message came through clearly: the human component remains front and center. Leaders shared the value they place in collaboration and networking, and numerous speakers emphasized the concept of trust, whether it is between private and public partnerships, the ability of leaders to support their employees as AI is adopted within their firms, the relationships with regulators, or the acceleration of Fintech. Culture and behavior are also key; many of our speakers talked about experimentation, democratization, and staying curious. They reminded us not to be afraid of change and to seek out others to learn from. While some of these things may at times feel daunting, it can also be a time of exhilaration. We at the FWA are excited to be a part of your journey through all of this - supporting our members as they navigate and shape the future of finance. Thank you to our incredible host, Amazon Web Services (AWS), our Summit Sponsors Korn Ferry, Trianz, Concierto, and N-iX, our Promotional Partners Al NYC, TechWalk NYC, and This Week in Fintech, and our event organizers, the FWA Annual Summit and Fintech Committees. To every speaker, attendee, and committee member who helped make the day unforgettable, thank you for showing up ready to learn, share, and make an impact.

Registration is Open for the 2026 FWA International Business Conference in the United Arab Emirates

October 9, 2025
We invite you to join us as a delegate for our upcoming International Business Conference (IBC) , which will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on April 19-24, 2026 . This event will provide members with career-enhancing insights and create a unique opportunity to connect with influential leaders abroad. Join us to: Explore new developments in finance, investment, and sustainability in the UAE Develop an understanding of the UAE’s role in global markets and sovereign wealth investment Gain insights into innovation, fintech, and energy transition Engage in discussions about best practices in corporate governance, diversity, and leadership Build your professional network through direct access to regional and global business leaders Click here to learn more!

Hermina “Nina” Batson: Fearless Leadership and a Lasting Legacy in Mentorship

October 2, 2025
What happens when a setback sparks a calling? For Hermina “Nina” Batson, walking away from electrical engineering wasn’t the end of her high school dream; it was the start of a fearless career in financial services—one built on integrity, courage, resilience, fortitude, determination, and a strong commitment to giving back. The daughter of Panamanian parents, Nina grew up on Long Island. At Hofstra University, she took steps to create opportunities for every student to feel included and have the chance to succeed. “Every student must have the opportunity to be successful, even if they don’t know how,” she says, a belief that continues to guide her. Long before Nina became a corporate leader, she taught financial literacy to underserved individuals in the communities she served, helping them understand the basics of money management and find pathways to independence. Mentoring, in one form or another, has always been part of her story.

New Report Calls for Systemic Change in Finance Workplaces - Driving Effectiveness, Innovation, and Profitability

September 4, 2025
The Financial Women’s Association (FWA) announces the release of a new white paper, The Post-Pandemic Return Among Women in Finance , authored by cultural anthropologist Dr. Melissa Suzanne Fisher. Commissioned by the FWA, the report examines how return-to-office policies and shifting workplace norms continue to shape careers in the financial services industry and outlines practical steps firms can take to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workplaces. Based on pandemic and post-pandemic research, the report offers an analysis of challenges that remain highly relevant today: balancing work and family responsibilities, supporting employee well-being, and dismantling systemic barriers that hinder career success. Drawing on interdisciplinary social sciences and firsthand accounts, the report highlights persistent cultural and structural barriers that limit progress across the industry. The report highlights that while the pandemic's remote work experiments offered employees new ways to balance work and personal life, the push for a full-time return to the office threatens this progress. Key recommendations highlighted in the report include: Responsibility of caregiving and work/life balance should be shared across the organization, rather than leaving individuals to manage these challenges alone. Firms should focus on addressing bias and discrimination embedded in their systems, not just changing individual attitudes. New models of mentoring and support are needed to reflect evolving work environments (such as hybrid work) and changing employee needs. Dr. Fisher, author of Wall Street Women , and a faculty member at Parsons School of Design, as well as a Senior Advisor at CFAR Consulting and Coaching Services, argues that supporting employees in balancing work, family, and personal needs is not only the right thing to do - it also drives innovation, effectiveness, and long-term profitability. The Financial Women’s Association has championed the advancement of women across the financial industry for nearly 70 years. This report adds to that tradition by offering actionable strategies firms can adopt to create more welcoming, supportive, and equitable workplaces so all employees can thrive. 
More Posts