Empowering Futures: The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program's Impact on Kynthia Lee

September 27, 2023

In a world where women continue to carve their paths in male-dominated industries, we’re pleased to share the inspiring story of Kynthia Lee, a mentee in the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program. Kynthia's journey through this program has not only shaped her personal and professional growth but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals.


Unveiling the Transformative Journey


Having moved from Hong Kong at the age of 8, Kynthia grew up in Queens, New York with her little sister and aunt. She eventually graduated from Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business in December 2022, majoring in finance, and double minoring in mathematics and advanced business analysis. 


When asked about her experience with the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program, Kynthia Lee reflects on how it ignited a fire within her. "FWA inspired me to stay motivated and persistent through interactions with my peers and my mentor. Both pushed me to aim high and reach professional goals that I had not imagined before. Seeing my mentor and her journey helped me face adversities in my own journey."


A Bold Decision to Seek Guidance


Kynthia's decision to join the mentoring program was born out of a clear need—the need for female representation in the financial industry. She sought a mentor who not only understood her struggles but could also guide her through the challenges of this male-dominated world. FWA, with its strong network of empowered women, reminded Kynthia that success was indeed attainable for women in the financial industry.


The Mentorship That Changed Everything


Kynthia's mentor, Christine Li-Auyeung, became her guiding light in the maze of the financial world. From the first conversation with Christine, the two women bonded over the many commonalities in their experiences and background, such as moving from Hong Kong and starting a career in the financial industry as women. Throughout the program, though both were busy in their own respective academic and professional lives, they made an effort to consistently stay in contact with each other during times of important decisions. Christine's unwavering support and wisdom were instrumental in Kynthia's career development. "My mentor Christine is always here to encourage me to take more steps forward. Her knowledge and guidance helped me find opportunities that others may not see. Through her, I was able to secure job opportunities and develop my skills and experience in the financial industry."


Setting and Achieving Career Goals


The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program provided Kynthia with a blueprint for her career goals. It showcased previous mentees' achievements, demonstrating that success was attainable with determination and guidance. Christine's advice, in particular, proved invaluable during a challenging job market, leading Kynthia to her current full-time role as an investment analyst at Guggenheim Partners.


The Tools for Future Success


From her mentor, Kynthia acquired a treasure trove of skills and knowledge, which she believes will be instrumental in her future success. "Persistence, humility, and empathy are key soft-skills that my mentor encouraged me to develop. Persistence is important as it will help me stay in an unrelenting financial industry. Humility and empathy help me stay grounded and connect to others, which is important in an industry where everyone is only a few mutual connections away."


A Network that Shapes Careers


The vast network of FWA alumnae became a significant catalyst in shaping Kynthia's career path. She landed her fulltime internship through a connection with Maria Giraldo, an FWA-Baruch alum who’s now a mentor. This network, built on mentorship and empowerment, continues to fuel her ambitions.


Paying It Forward


As Kynthia progresses in her career, she envisions becoming a mentor herself. FWA has shown her the profound impact of mentorship, and how it equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to thrive in their chosen fields. She believes that passing on this torch of knowledge and support is essential in helping the next generation of professionals navigate the complex landscape of their careers.


Kynthia Lee's journey through the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program is a testament to the power of mentorship and the pivotal role it plays in shaping successful careers. Her story serves as an inspiration for others, highlighting the importance of mentoring relationships and emphasizing that, with the right guidance and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams in even the most challenging of industries. 



Inspired by Kynthia’s story? Ready to mentor a talented college student launching her business career? Contact Baruch College program lead Betsy Werley ([email protected]) or Seton Hall University program leads Donna Harris ([email protected]) or Lu Licciardello ([email protected]).

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.”

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!
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