WSE Interns Learn About Non-Traditional Career Options in Finance

July 27, 2023

The interns were introduced to an innovative topic in Session 6 on July 25, 2023, which was new to the WSE program: The Future of Finance: Career Paths in Digital Assets and FinTech. A poll indicated that some of the interns had a general knowledge of fintech and digital assets but most did not. The novel session was moderated by Marie Helene Kennedy Payen, FWA member and Senior Director, Operations and Community, New York Life Ventures. She was joined by panelists Yanique Williams, Senior Privacy Program Manager, Fintech, at Meta; Jeanine Hightower-Sellitto, Chief Commercial and Strategy Officer, EDX Markets; Addy Spiller, Senior Director of Product, ORKA Finance; and Liang Zhao, Chief Executive Officer, Vansary.


The session kicked off with a description of digital assets and fintech and how both bridge technology with finance, bringing innovation in a traditional space, and giving more power to people. Both represent a disruption where people are bridging what they have learned and are applying technology to create the future. As one panelist explained, digital assets have value that can be digitized and are identifiable on the blockchain. The value has been created or produced on a chain like bitcoin and can be an NFT like art or a collectible. As a result money coaches and financial coaches like Jim Cramer have emerged and social media is being leveraged to help their viewers learn more about finance. Services are blossoming in print and media that provide resources that people can benefit from. Examples are Mrs. Dow Jones, Vivian, your Wall Street Girlie, and articles being written for online publications like Medium.

The panelists highlighted the key characteristics that are important in these areas which include being innovative, having a positive mindset and a “can do” attitude which makes other people feel better about working with you, and being easy to work with. The ability to effectively communicate is also important as well as managing upwards. The explanation of what it means to manage up was explicit – a manager should not have to guess the status of your work; over-communicate by providing a regular summary; advocate for yourself; and be succinct with bullet points and not a wordy, long document. If interested in this career path, the panelist recommended taking a business writing course.

The interns posed questions regarding starting your own business. A panelist outlined key questions to ask before you take the plunge: 1) What’s the problem you’re solving? 2) How is your business the solution 3) What’s the total available market for the business? and 4) What is your business operating model?


The interns left with the following advice from the team:

  • Build your own network
  • Do something that scares you
  • Trust your process
  • Prioritize self-discovery


The WSE Co-Chairs extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Marie Helene, Yanique, Jeanine, Addy, and Liang for your unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program. We appreciate you sharing this innovative and progressive topic with them, and for your many words of wisdom.

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.

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. 
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