by Robert Brown
"I believe that mentorship is incredibly valuable, especially during college as you are navigating a lot of changes and first-time experiences."
For Cailyn Kitchens, a junior at Baruch College, those words aren't simply a reflection on her college experience. They've become the foundation of how she's prepared for her future.
Following her junior-year internship at Scotiabank, Cailyn credits the Financial Women's Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program and her mentor, Laleh Bashirrad, Managing Director at BNP Paribas, with helping her approach one of the most pivotal chapters of her college journey with greater confidence, curiosity, and perspective.
"The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program has greatly influenced my personal and professional growth," Cailyn said. "Through the program's events and conversations with alumnae and mentors, I am able to understand industries and career paths outside of the one I am planning to pursue, learning about the nonlinear but inspiring journeys professionals have taken throughout their lives. I am also able to learn fundamental life skills and financial literacy, such as budgeting and planning for retirement."
Encouraged by fellow FWA mentees and inspired after attending the FWA's Find Your Finance Interview Edge and Mock Interview Workshop, Cailyn knew she wanted to become part of the community. "Seeing the care, effort, and intentionality Olga and Betsy put into supporting students solidified that I wanted to be a part of this uplifting community."
That decision introduced her to Laleh, and what began as a mentor-mentee match quickly grew into a relationship built on trust, honest conversations, and encouragement. "My relationship with my mentor, Laleh, is one that is open, honest, and nurturing," Cailyn said. "Her guidance has helped me feel much more confident entering the finance industry for my junior-year internship."
Whether breaking down the realities of front-office finance, explaining the impact of macroeconomic events, or introducing Cailyn to professionals across her network, Laleh became both a trusted advisor and a sounding board. Their conversations extended well beyond internships and interviews, giving Cailyn a place to ask honest questions, work through uncertainty, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. "I always appreciate that I can openly talk about any concerns or uncertainties, and she gives thoughtful, practical advice and reassurance."
As she prepared for her internship, Laleh's guidance helped Cailyn approach the team placement process with greater confidence. "My mentor helped me understand each team's responsibilities more in-depth based on her own experience, and helped me prepare insightful talking points and questions to feel more confident. Now that I have completed the team matching process, I am very happy with my placement and am now utilizing resources that my mentor has recommended to feel even more prepared."
While the internship itself was an important milestone, Cailyn says the preparation leading up to it proved just as valuable. Learning how to evaluate opportunities, ask thoughtful questions, and trust her instincts are lessons she'll carry with her throughout her career.
For Laleh, mentoring through the FWA has been one of the most rewarding ways to invest in the next generation of women leaders. "I've had the pleasure of mentoring young women through the FWA-Baruch College Mentoring Program for more than a decade, and I'm continually inspired by the exceptional talent, resilience, and drive these students bring," Laleh said. "Cailyn is a perfect example. She balanced a demanding academic schedule, leadership roles across multiple campus organizations, and preparation for her summer internship while studying the global securitization markets. Through it all, she demonstrated a level of composure, curiosity, and professionalism beyond her years. I look forward to supporting her continued growth and success in future chapters of her journey."
For Cailyn, that encouragement has made all the difference. For Laleh, it's a reminder of why mentoring continues to matter: helping talented young women discover what's possible before they fully realize it themselves.
One lesson has stayed with Cailyn more than any other: never stop learning. "One of the most valuable things I have gained from my mentor is the importance of curiosity and continuous learning," she said. When she wanted to learn Python but wasn't sure where to begin, Laleh encouraged her to connect it to her career interests by building a project of her own.
"Accomplishing goals is not just about having the ambition to do, it's about being resourceful, proactive, and willing to invest time. These are qualities that my mentor exudes, and I believe will be instrumental in my future success." It's a mindset Cailyn now carries into everything she takes on. Rather than waiting until she feels completely ready, she's learned to start, stay curious, and continue learning along the way.
The FWA has also given Cailyn something that's harder to measure but just as important: the confidence to advocate for herself. "At every FWA event, I have consistently taken away the importance of advocating for yourself because 'closed mouths do not get fed'. As someone who grew up very shy and is still working on being uncomfortable in unfamiliar social and professional settings, hearing this as a constant reminder has been especially meaningful to me. I have realized that advocating for yourself is essential to building credibility, gaining autonomy, and succeeding in a competitive industry, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field."
Although she's still early in her journey, Cailyn is already thinking about how she can pay forward the support she's received. "As I progress in my career, I absolutely envision myself becoming a mentor. I have already had opportunities to serve as a peer mentor through the campus organizations I am involved in, Women in Business and 50Five Capital, as well as a first-year seminar peer mentor for Baruch's New Student Programs. As I continue building my professional experience, I would love to become an alumni mentor for college students, especially for the FWA! I would be grateful for the opportunity to guide students as they navigate many of the changes, uncertainties, and first-time experiences I once faced myself. I already was aware of the amazing impact mentoring can have, but being in the FWA has only strengthened that belief, and I hope to give back and empower others in the same way that I have been."
Cailyn's story is still being written, but the foundation is already in place. She's building more than technical skills or industry knowledge. She's building the confidence to lead, the curiosity to keep learning, and the desire to help others do the same.
That's the lasting impact of mentorship. Today's mentees become tomorrow's mentors, carrying forward the same encouragement, wisdom, and belief that helped shape their own journeys.
Get Involved
Inspired by Cailyn's story? Whether you're an experienced professional ready to pay it forward or interested in helping shape the next generation of women leaders, the FWA's mentoring programs offer an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
To learn more or become a mentor, connect with one of our program leads:
Betsy Werley
[email protected]
Mary Beth Dunn
Jeanine Pepe
[email protected]
High School of Economics & Finance
Jacqueline Linden
[email protected]
