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
The FWA is pleased to share that Virginia Maloney will be honored as the 2026 Public 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.
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!
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.
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.
