Spotlight on Kelsey Halloran, FWA Secretary

February 27, 2025

Supporting corporate governance through top-notch administration


People who enjoy solving puzzles and problems are often detail-oriented, observant, organized, patient and analytical. These traits enable them to approach complex challenges methodically and effectively. For Kelsey Halloran, these qualities have been key to her success as a forensic accountant at a leading global advisory firm and have made her a prime choice for secretary of the FWA.



Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the FWA’s Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, talked with Kelsey about her career and the role the FWA has played in developing her leadership skills and shaping her professional growth.

Sherree: Please tell us about your background and professional career.


Kelsey: I’m a CPA and senior director in the Risk & Investigations practice at FTI Consulting, where I specialize in forensic accounting, internal investigations and compliance/risk assessments. Our work can be proactive, reactive or preventative in nature. We routinely assist and support companies and legal counsel in navigating a variety of complex, high-pressure and often high-profile white-collar crime investigations. We also work with companies to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.


Growing up, I witnessed the real-world impact of financial misconduct when an employee of my father’s business embezzled funds. This personal experience ignited my passion for forensic accounting and investigative work. I have always loved solving puzzles, and every case is essentially a new puzzle to untangle and discover.


Our investigations frequently arise from an allegation of suspected misuse of or missing funds, which could be the result of embezzlement, corruption, bribery or money laundering. An area I find particularly interesting is bribery and corruption investigations relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which is typically in an international context. I regularly assist clients in responding to and addressing inquiries initiated by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, we have a deep bench of experts in-house, who regularly serve as expert witnesses in both civil and criminal litigation as well as post-acquisition disputes.


What I love most about my role is that every day presents a new challenge, and each case is unique. The variability and flexibility my career offers keeps me engaged and motivated.


Sherree: How long have you been a member of the FWA?


Kelsey: I joined the FWA in 2019 and was thankful to have had the opportunity to attend two in-person events before Covid brought everything to a halt. One of these events was a committee fair, where I had the chance to learn about the various committees. As someone who always says “yes” to new opportunities, I joined the Emerging Leaders Committee to learn more about the FWA and connect with like-minded professionals.


Shortly after joining, the chair of the Emerging Leaders Committee went on maternity leave, and the FWA was looking for someone new to step in. I saw an exciting opportunity to deepen my involvement by taking on the role of chair. I also had the chance to expand both my internal-FWA and external networks by helping to assemble co-chairs and organizing several events.


Participating in the Member2Member program was a particularly impactful and inspiring time for me. I was paired with an incredible mentor, Jennifer Covell, who played a key role in guiding me through my promotion from senior consultant to director. This demonstrated to me the level of investment and support this organization makes in its members.


My journey with the board began as a director-at-large and a member of the Nominating Committee. A couple years ago, I first volunteered to fill in as interim secretary. The following year, I officially assumed the role of secretary, and this is the position I hold today.


Sherree: How have you benefitted from the FWA personally and professionally?


Kelsey: The FWA provides an incredible platform for women to access opportunities and mentorship. I’ve been fortunate to have inspiring mentors like Hermina Batson and Jennifer Covell, who encouraged me to take on leadership roles.


Professionally, the FWA has helped me develop leadership skills, become more confident with public speaking and improve my overall time management skills. It has provided opportunities to learn from industry leaders and build a network that spans various sectors.


Personally, I’ve connected with like-minded individuals who share a passion for professional growth and mentorship. The friendships and collaborations I’ve formed through the FWA have been invaluable, enriching both my career and personal life.


In addition, the FWA provided me with the skills to start a side-hustle during Covid. I own a women’s lounge wear brand. My clothing is made from certified organic cotton and produced by a woman-owned factory in India. The FWA connected me with business mentors on the Entrepreneurship Committee, who taught me how to get funding and run a small business.


Sherree: Please tell us about your role as secretary of the FWA.


Kelsey: As Secretary of the FWA, I oversee administrative and communication functions, which includes preparing and distributing meeting agendas, capturing detailed minutes and maintaining accurate records for the board and committees. I also ensure follow-up actions are tracked and completed and facilitate clear communication among members to support our initiatives.


Sherree: How has the FWA changed, and how would you like to see the organization evolve in the future?


Kelsey: The FWA has evolved significantly over the years. Once an exclusive group, the organization has expanded its reach, opening membership to everyone, regardless of location. Members can now join from any state or country, reflecting the FWA’s commitment to inclusivity. Since Covid, the organization has embraced a hybrid approach, offering both in-person and virtual events, allowing members to participate in ways that best suit their preferences. This adaptability during the pandemic demonstrated the FWA’s resilience and commitment to keeping members engaged.


Looking ahead, I’d love to see the FWA host more large-scale events, such as galas, conferences and speaker series, that celebrate achievements and foster deeper connections within the community.


Sherree: How can people get the most out of their FWA membership?


Kelsey: Get involved! Attend events – even if you don’t know anyone – and take the leap to join a committee or mentorship program. When I first joined, I knew almost no one, but the welcoming atmosphere made it easy to connect.


Engaging with the FWA is about more than networking. It’s about contributing, learning and building relationships that will support and inspire you throughout your journey.

Preparing for What's Next: Cailyn Kitchens and the Power of Mentorship

August 13, 2026
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.

Wall Street Exchange Interns Get an Inside Look at Strategic Communications

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On July 7, 2026, interns in the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program came together virtually for the fourth session of the summer, titled “Strategic Communications,” sponsored by Joele Frank. Jordan Resnick, HR Specialist, and Heather Wallach, Talent Acquisition Manager, introduced interns to Joele Frank and the world of strategic communications, a field many interns had never considered as part of the financial services landscape. Jordan and Heather explained that Joele Frank advises companies through their most consequential moments, from mergers and acquisitions to shareholder activism, restructuring, leadership transitions, and crisis response, ranking as the #1 U.S. M&A PR advisor and #1 shareholder activism defense advisor in the industry. To bring the firm’s work to life, Jordan and Heather walked interns through several high-profile engagements, including Joele Frank’s support of Warner Bros. Discovery, a current client, as an example of how the firm helps companies navigate high-stakes, high-visibility situations in real time. The discussion underscored that effective strategic communications require not just managing a narrative, but protecting a company’s credibility with every audience watching, from investors and employees to the media and the public. Jordan and Heather also broke down the many disciplines that fall under the strategic communications umbrella, including investor relations, corporate and media relations, governance and corporate stewardship, design, and digital strategy. They emphasized that the firm hires like a law firm, bringing on Account Associates directly out of undergrad, and encouraged interns interested in the field to build strong writing skills, stay current on financial news through outlets like The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, and consider Joele Frank’s summer internship or full-time Account Associate programs as a path into the industry. Interns had the opportunity to ask questions throughout the presentation before breaking into small groups to discuss their key takeaways from the session and reflect on what they had learned so far this summer. Many interns shared that the session reshaped their understanding of what a career in PR actually looks like, moving past common misconceptions to reveal a discipline built on strategy, judgment, and relationships. Several groups also highlighted the session’s emphasis on soft skills, noting how much communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence matter in a field so often mistaken for being purely about writing press releases. At the conclusion of the session, the WSE spun the wheel to award a CFA Society Student Membership, sponsored by the CFA Society, to Sarah Convery. Congrats, Sarah! A huge thank you to Jordan Resnick, Heather Wallach, and the entire Joele Frank team for giving interns a behind-the-scenes look at the strategic communications industry. The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program. 

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn Foundations for Professional Excellence

July 30, 2026
On June 23, 2026, the FWA's Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program 2026 cohort gathered virtually for the third weekly session of the program. The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm known for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Brian Marks, Co-Founder and President of Knopman Marks & Highwire, led a practical, high-energy conversation titled "Foundations for Professional Excellence." The first topic that Brian discussed was the habits that drive a successful early career and why those habits matter well beyond an internship. The skills interns build now are the same ones that separate a good intern from a great one; and that later separate a good professional from a high performer. He described high performance, not as a matter of raw talent, but rather as a set of behaviors one can practice. The habits put in place early are the ones that compound. The interns who start practicing them now are the ones who carry them from an internship with limited responsibilities into executive-level responsibility later. The interns then reviewed a series of four credibility builders and four credibility killers, proactive behaviors that shape how senior professionals come to trust a young professional. Owning your mistakes and learning from them is a key credibility builder and surprising your manager with bad news at the last minute is a major credibility killer. The interns then rated themselves on a Strategic Action Matrix, a four-box framework charting how strategy: “Are you focused on the right things?” interacts with execution: “Are you doing the work to get there?”. He asked interns to consider one or two new habits they could put to work immediately. Brian impressed upon the interns that professional excellence is thinking strategically and executing well, while stepping outside their comfort zone, stretching past their limits and building resilience when the plan changes. Brian then introduced the five strategies in The Intern Success Playbook, emphasizing that interns are building their personal brand every day through what others observe. Whether it's staying focused instead of constantly checking a mobile phone or taking the initiative to connect with colleagues, everyday actions shape how others perceive them. His five strategies focused on working and communicating smarter, building authentic relationships, and paying close attention to perception and details. The interactive format kept energy high. Interns enjoyed the live Q&A, the quiz, and the chance to ask questions. A screen full of Zoom hearts spoke to the value they found in his advice. A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing their time and expertise in the WSE 2026 cohort. The session concluded with the WSE Committee awarding intern Sarah Convery a CFA Student Annual Membership, sponsored by the CFA Society. The WSE Co-Chairs, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, and the WSE Committee extend their sincere appreciation to Brian Marks and Knopman Marks for their support in making this virtual session a success. We also thank the FWA President Albana Theka, FWA leadership, volunteers, sponsoring firms, and participating employers for their continued commitment to providing this valuable experience to the next generation of financial professionals. 

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn Networking Best Practices

July 23, 2026
Interns participating in the 2026 Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program gathered virtually for the program’s second session, an interactive panel discussing “Networking Best Practices.” Sponsored by S&P Global, Northwestern Mutual, and Wells Fargo, the session brought together three financial services professionals to share how they have built and sustained meaningful relationships throughout their careers. The discussion was moderated by Dan Yu, Co-Founder of FutureProof You and Director of Partnerships at the talent development nonprofit Ascend Leadership . After a long career on Wall Street, Dan pivoted to recruiting and career coaching, work that has since taken him from coaching college students to C-level executives. He set an energetic, conversational tone for the panel, joined by Jena Angeliadis, Executive Director and Senior Lead Product Manager at Wells Fargo; Antonietta Gaudio, Recruiting Operations Manager at Northwestern Mutual; and Christina Siekierski, Senior Product Manager at S&P Global.  Jena traced her own path across American Express, JPMorgan Chase, and now Wells Fargo, encouraging interns to think of networking less as a transaction and more as an ongoing practice built on curiosity and follow-through. She pointed to her own career transitions, including launching the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card, as proof that relationships built early in a career often resurface in unexpected and valuable ways later on. Drawing on nearly 14 years in talent acquisition, Antonietta spoke about her “white glove” approach to building trust, urging interns to lead every interaction with empathy and authenticity rather than a polished pitch. She reminded the group that confidence in networking is built from within, and that the goal of any conversation should be genuine connection, not simply a foot in the door. Christina offered a product manager’s view of networking, describing how cross-functional relationships across product, commercial, and client teams at S&P Global have been just as important to her growth as relationships built outside the office. She encouraged interns to treat every colleague, not just senior leaders, as a connection worth investing in. To help interns put the panel’s advice into action, Dan closed the session with five “homework” assignments to complete in the weeks ahead: Update your LinkedIn profile Build a Linktree or dotcard Join or start a virtual networking group Reply to your three oldest unanswered text messages, using voice text Call someone you haven’t spoken with in a year A huge thank you to Dan Yu, Jena Angeliadis, Antonietta Gaudio, and Christina Siekierski, and to S&P Global, Northwestern Mutual, and Wells Fargo, for helping interns build the confidence and tools to network with purpose. At the conclusion of the session, the WSE Committee awarded a CFA Society New York student membership to Angela Lin. The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.
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