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.



Download the Report

About the FWA


Founded in 1956 by eight trailblazing professionals on Wall Street, the Financial Women’s Association (FWA) is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting leadership, professional growth, and community across the financial industry. With an engaged membership that includes individuals, corporate sponsors, and strategic alliances with educational institutions and other organizations, the FWA provides access to high-impact programming, mentorship, and educational opportunities. Through its numerous events and initiatives, the FWA fosters connection, innovation, and career advancement for those shaping the future of finance.


About Melissa Fisher


Melissa Fisher, Ph.D. is a cultural anthropologist specializing in gender, finance, and workplace culture. She is a Senior Advisor at CFAR, a Visiting Scholar at NYU’s Institute for Public Knowledge, and teaches in the Strategic Design and Management program at Parsons School of Design. Melissa is the author of Wall Street Women and Frontiers of Capital (Duke University Press). Her current research explores equity in evolving workplace environments. Named one of Avuity’s Top 65 Work Tech Experts to Follow in 2025, she consults widely on leadership development and today's complex business needs. Want to explore how anthropological tools and approaches can design a more human-centered workplace? Melissa's consulting services can be found at www.melissafisherphd.com. She is also offering 15 minute free consultations. Connect with her at [email protected].

Member2Member Applications Open - Apply Today!

September 2, 2026
We're pleased to announce that the next cohort of the Member2Member program will run from November 2026 through April 2027. Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is Friday, September 18, 2026 .  Please note the Member2Member program is only open to FWA members. Not currently a member? Join or renew today! The FWA Member2Member mentoring program helps advance the FWA mission of accelerating leadership and success of women in the financial community. The program pairs experienced FWA members with those eager to build leadership skills and advance their careers. Our goal is to create meaningful mentor and mentee partnerships where pairs work together to identify strengths, uncover opportunities, and empower the mentee. We also encourage networking and reverse mentoring among members of the cohort. Interested in participating? Learn more here!

The Seat Comes with Seventy Years

August 27, 2026
A Message from FWA President Albana Theka When I stepped into the role of President of the Financial Women’s Association last July, I thought I understood what I was taking on. I had served on the board, co-chaired membership, spent two years as President Elect, and I knew the history the way most of us know it, in the broad strokes of dates and programs and the story of the eight women in 1956 who were turned away from an investment association and decided to build their own. What I did not expect was what happened in the weeks that followed, when past FWA presidents began reaching out to me one by one, not to give instructions, but to tell me their stories.

Announcing Our 2026 Non-Profit Sector Woman of the Year

August 26, 2026
The FWA is pleased to share that Mary Barneby will be honored as the 2026 Non-Profit Sector Woman of the Year at the FWA's 70th Anniversary Gala on October 8, 2026. We look forward to introducing additional honorees in the weeks ahead. Mary Barneby served as the Regional Chief Executive for the American Red Cross of Greater New York from 2020 to 2023. In that role, she led a team dedicated to alleviating suffering caused by disasters and emergencies across the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland Counties, and Greenwich, CT. Prior to joining the Red Cross, Mary served for eight years as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, where she led a major transformation of volunteer support services and technology enhancements.

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.
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