Charlotte Yee's Empowering Journey: FWA Baruch Mentoring Sparks Finance Leadership Momentum

February 5, 2024

In the dynamic realm of finance, Charlotte Yee stands as a formidable presence within the Financial Women's Association - Baruch College Mentoring Program, embodying the program's impact on aspiring young women in finance. Charlotte reflects on her journey, stating, "Being a mentee in the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program has been one of the best things to happen to me personally and professionally."


Fueled by the ambition to grow both personally and professionally during her sophomore years, Charlotte applied for the program, in pursuit of more than just acquiring knowledge – she was looking for a way to advance herself. Charlotte’s mentor, Salome Makharadze, is herself an alumna of the FWA Mentoring Program’s early years; Salome continues to credit her FWA mentor, Francoise Jeanpierre, with her early success. Charlotte found not just guidance but a force propelling her evolution. Salome shares her perspective, stating, "It's been incredibly rewarding to witness Charlotte's growth, both personally and professionally. Our shared experiences have created a strong bond, and I'm proud of the strides she has made."


"Salome has encouraged me to broaden my horizons in both my professional aspirations and personal life. She has inspired me to dream bigger with my career and accept new challenges."


The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program served as the spark for Charlotte's career goals. Salome's counsel transformed Charlotte's approach to a summer internship at BMO Capital Markets in 2023, solidifying banking as a viable and fulfilling path. Charlotte reflects, "Before meeting Salome, all I knew about finance and the banking industry had come from my research online. Salome has encouraged me to broaden my horizons in both my professional aspirations and personal life. She has inspired me to dream bigger with my career and accept new challenges.”


Charlotte is pleased to be joining BMO Capital Markets as a fulltime analyst this summer, after her 2023 BMO Investment Banking Summer Analyst internship. She appreciates BMO’s commitment to Equity Through Education and the FWA, and its supportive culture. Charlotte has fast-forwarded her knowledge of finance with a multiple firms: she was a Growth Equity Immersion Program Participant at PeakSpan Capital in 2023, a Venture Capital Spring Analyst at SoundBoard Venture Fund, and she’s currently a Founders Fellow at Centerbridge Partners, L.P.


The program's impact transcends formal mentorship, weaving influence through various FWA Baruch events. Charlotte's interactions with informal mentors inspired her to seize control of her career, discern priorities, and fearlessly navigate the professional landscape.


As Charlotte envisions herself becoming a mentor, the program's influence on her perception of giving back becomes evident. Already applying to mentor high school students in the New York City area, Charlotte is poised to contribute to the growth and success of future generations, embodying the spirit of mentorship that has shaped her formidable journey.


While January was National Mentoring Month, Charlotte's narrative serves as a rallying call. Her journey is an anthem of empowerment within the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program.


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])


Join the league of mentors sculpting the future of finance and empowering the next wave of leaders.

Photo from the FWA-Baruch College Mentoring Program's 20th Anniversary Celebration. Pictured: (L-R) Charlotte Yee, Salome Makharadze, Nayancie Matthews , and Françoise Jeanpierre

Seventy Years Forward: How the Financial Women’s Association Built a Community That Changes Lives

January 28, 2026
by Robert Brown January is National Mentoring Month. In 2026, it also marks a defining moment for the Financial Women’s Association as we celebrate 70 years of advancing women in finance. This milestone matters now. As organizations across industries rethink development, mentorship, and long-term investment in people, FWA stands firm in what has always worked: human connection, shared knowledge, and women lifting one another forward.  For seven decades, FWA has done more than convene women in finance. It has built a community rooted in mentorship, access, and action. Progress here has never been accidental. It has always been intentional. It happens because women, and male allies choose to show up for one another. As current FWA President Albana Theka reminds us, “Mentorship isn’t about who’s ahead of you. It’s about who sees you, and who helps you see yourself.” That belief has shaped FWA from the beginning and continues to guide where we are headed next.

How Mentorship Helped Shape Simran Hassan’s Future in Finance

January 14, 2026
Some students enter college unsure of where they are headed. Others, like Baruch College senior and Finance major Simran Hassan, arrive with ambition and quickly realize how much more there is to learn. For Simran, the finance world felt exciting but intimidating. Competitive. Fast paced. Male dominated. She knew she wanted a seat at the table, but finding her voice took time and support. That support came through the Financial Women’s Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program , which Simran describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her college career. Before joining, she admits the industry felt overwhelming. “Before joining the program, the finance industry and its obvious male dominated environment felt quite daunting to me,” she shared. “But through FWA, I discovered the network of incredible women that exists within Baruch and across the industry. The program, and especially my mentor, gave me the confidence to speak my mind and seek resources that will help me succeed.”

With Gratitude for the Global Perspectives That Strengthen Our FWA Community

November 24, 2025
Recently, our members had the honor of meeting Army General François Lecointre, Grand Chancellor of the Order of the Legion of Honour. An institution Napoleon Bonaparte founded in 1802. General Lecointre brought the Order’s legacy to life, sharing its mission and new efforts to digitize centuries of archives. Did you know? The Legion of Honour also established an all-girls boarding school for descendants of honorees — a lasting investment in education and equality. The event also reunited members of our Paris International Business Conference delegation, a reminder that our global exchanges continue well beyond the trip through shared learning, cultural understanding, and lifelong connections. Thank you to Banque Transatlantique for hosting and to General Lecointre for sharing his insights and time.

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.”
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