Announcing the 2026 FWA Global Trailblazer & Visionary Award: Hillary Rodham Clinton

October 9, 2026

The FWA is proud to announce Hillary Rodham Clinton as the recipient of the 2026 FWA Global Trailblazer & Visionary Award at the FWA’s 70th Anniversary Gala on October 8, 2026.


Secretary Clinton will join us virtually to accept the award and share remarks with guests during the Gala. We look forward to celebrating her extraordinary leadership and contributions with our community.

Hillary Rodham Clinton has spent over five decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, U.S. Senator, U.S. Secretary of State, and presidential candidate. As 67th U.S. Secretary of State, her "smart power" approach to foreign policy repositioned American diplomacy and development for the 21st century. Clinton played a central role in restoring America’s standing in the world, reasserting the United States as a Pacific power, imposing crippling sanctions on Iran and North Korea, responding to the Arab Awakening, and negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East. Earlier, as First Lady and Senator for New York, she traveled to more than 80 countries as a champion of human rights, democracy, and opportunities for women and girls; she also worked to provide health care to millions of children, create jobs, and support first responders who risked their lives at Ground Zero.  In her historic 2016 campaign for President of the United States, Clinton won 66 million votes.  She is the author of twelve best-selling books, founder of Onward Together, a Board Member of the Clinton Foundation where she launched the Clinton Policy Institute, founder of the global production studio HiddenLight Productions, a producer of the Broadway musical “Suffs”, Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, and a Professor of Practice at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University where she co-founded the Institute of Global Politics. She and former U.S. President Bill Clinton have one daughter, Chelsea, three grandchildren: Charlotte, Aidan, and Jasper, and reside in New York.

Announcing the 2026 FWA Mentorship Impact Award: Betsy Werley

October 1, 2026
As we mark FWA’s 70th anniversary, we are honored to recognize Betsy Werley for her contributions to the FWA community. Betsy will receive the 2026 FWA Mentorship Impact Award at the FWA's 70th Anniversary Gala . Please join us on October 8 as we honor Betsy and the legacy of leadership and mentorship that has shaped FWA for the past seventy years.

Announcing the 2026 FWA Leadership Impact Award: Joan Shapiro Green

September 30, 2026
As we mark FWA’s 70th anniversary, we are honored to recognize Joan Shapiro Green for her contributions to the FWA community. Joan will receive the 2026 FWA Leadership Impact Award at the FWA's 70th Anniversary Gala . Please join us on October 8 as we honor Joan and the legacy of leadership and mentorship that has shaped FWA for the past seventy years.

Announcing Our 2026 Financial Services Woman of the Year

September 29, 2026
The FWA is pleased to share that Caroline Gundeck will be honored as the 2026 Financial Services Woman of the Year at the FWA's 70th Anniversary Gala on October 8, 2026. Caroline Gundeck is a Managing Director and Head of Client and Field Engagement for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. In her role, Caroline is responsible for strategically connecting Financial Advisors and their clients and prospects to all key areas of the Firm to showcase the strength and depth of the Firm’s vast resources. She proactively focuses on UHNW clients’ needs across all segments and identifies customized and comprehensive solutions to deepen client relationships.

Announcing Our 2026 Private Sector Woman of the Year

September 21, 2026
The FWA is pleased to share that Stephanie Ruhle will be honored as the 2026 Private Sector Woman of the Year at the FWA's 70th Anniversary Gala on October 8, 2026. Stephanie Ruhle is the host of MS NOW’s Money Power Politics with Stephanie Ruhle and serves as MS NOW’s Senior Business Analyst, appearing across all linear, digital, and social platforms. Ruhle is known for her business acumen, hard-hitting style, original reporting, and for bringing humanity to her news coverage. She is also the co-host of the live, weekly Q&A show, “ Velshi & Ruhle: Full Disclosure ,” part of the MS NOW Membership. Ruhle has interviewed leaders in politics, business, entertainment, and sports ranging from President Biden to Stephen Curry, from Jamie Dimon to Jamie Lee Curtis. As a Wall Street veteran, she is known for bringing her business acumen and hard-hitting style to high-profile interviews, for her original reporting, and for bringing humanity into her news coverage.
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