The Power of Mentoring: A Spotlight on SHU’s Nalani Rios and FWA Mentor Stephanie Hauge

July 25, 2024

Mentorship is a powerful force that can often shape careers, inspire personal growth, and create lasting impacts. Within the Financial Women's Association’s Seton Hall University Mentoring Program, the relationship between mentee Nalani Rios and mentor Stephanie Hauge exemplifies the profound benefits of such connections. Their journey together highlights the importance of mentorship in nurturing future leaders in finance and beyond.

 

Stephanie Hauge: A Seasoned Leader and Dedicated Mentor

 

Stephanie, though officially retired, remains active as the Principal of The Non-Profit Helper consultancy. Her distinguished career in accounting and finance spans pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and telecommunications, culminating in senior leadership roles before transitioning to the non-profit sector. A Past President of the FWA (2009-10), Stephanie has been an FWA mentor since 2010, inspired by the programs' tangible impact. She currently serves on FWA's Development Committee and co-chairs the FWA NJ Committee, further demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the organization.

 

"I was inspired by the commitment of long-time FWA members and the impact that the mentoring programs were making," says Stephanie. Her extensive experience and passion for mentoring young women before they begin their careers have made her a treasure to the FWA-Seton Hall University Mentoring Program.

 

Nalani Rios: An Emerging Leader in Marketing

 

Nalani, a marketing major at Seton Hall set to graduate in December, joined the FWA mentoring program to connect with successful women and learn from their experiences. "I was drawn to the idea of a community dedicated to supporting and uplifting women in their career journeys," Nalani shares. Her enthusiasm for marketing, especially in digital and social media, has driven her to excel in various academic and extracurricular pursuits.

 

One notable achievement is Nalani’s participation in the Hult Prize Global Summit in Boston in June 2024. The competition, known as the world's largest student social entrepreneurship event, saw Nalani and her team present their innovative sustainable packaging solution, Naturefill Replenish. Competing against some of the brightest minds globally, this experience underscored Nalani's commitment to blending innovation with environmental consciousness.

The Mentoring Relationship: Mutual Growth and Shared Insights

 

Stephanie and Nalani's mentoring relationship is built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to growth. Stephanie has provided Nalani with the tools and affirmation needed to navigate her career path. "Through affirmation and practical skill sets, Stephanie has given me the space to embrace discomfort to grow," Nalani explains. This guidance has been instrumental in helping Nalani develop confidence and resilience in high-pressure situations.

 

Stephanie also emphasizes the importance of persistence, a lesson Nalani holds dear. "Stephanie’s story has been an inspiring example of the determination and persistence I will continue to nourish throughout my career," Nalani says. This resilience is crucial, especially in the face of gender-based challenges that women often encounter in the finance industry.

 

Looking Ahead: Goals and Aspirations


Nalani envisions leveraging emerging technologies and consumer insights to create impactful marketing campaigns. With Stephanie's support, she aims to refine her resume, improve her interview skills, and showcase her leadership abilities. "My mentor has played a crucial role in shaping this vision by providing guidance on industry trends and sharing real-world experiences," Nalani notes.

 

Stephanie’s belief in the power of visibility and contribution is a cornerstone of her advice to aspiring finance professionals. "Do not be intimidated by the fact that even in your finance classes you may be a minority. Be visible and make a contribution to your team," she advises. This encouragement aligns with her broader vision for the FWA mentoring program, which offers mentees exposure to a variety of successful women in different finance-related careers.

 

The Future of Women in Finance: The Role of Mentorship

 

Stephanie and Nalani illustrate the power of mentorship in shaping future leaders. Their relationship, forged through the FWA, showcases how experienced professionals can inspire, guide, and pay it forward to the next generation. This relationship not only fuels Nalani's career aspirations but also underscores the vital role of mentoring in empowering women in finance. By fostering knowledge-sharing, confidence, and network-building, such programs prepare women to lead with resilience and innovation, creating a lasting impact on the industry. On behalf of the FWA, Stephanie, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your enduring commitment to the SHU Program. Nalani, your successes are an inspiration, and we know the future that lies ahead for you is bright.

 

For those ready to mentor a promising college student navigating the business landscape, reach out to the program leads:

Baruch - Betsy Werley ([email protected]) or

Seton Hall - Donna Harris ([email protected]) or Lu Licciardello ([email protected])

 

Take the next step to become a mentor today!

Rising Star: How Mentorship Helped Adelisa Music Find Her Wings

November 20, 2025
FWA–Baruch College Mentoring Program Spotlight Adelisa Music is a rising star with a bright future in finance. A college student at Baruch, she’s built her success through focus, resilience, and a willingness to keep learning. Along the way, the Financial Women’s Association’s Mentoring Program at Baruch College added another dimension to her journey, giving her the guidance and confidence to take her ambitions even further. “My experience with the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program was more than transformative,” Adelisa says. “It served as a guide and support throughout college, introducing me to people and opportunities that opened doors I didn’t know existed and helped me learn more about my strengths and weaknesses.”

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.
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