Networking in the Digital Age: Expert Panel Shares Insights with Wall Street Exchange
June 24, 2025
What does it take to network effectively in the digital age? During Week 2 of this summer’s Wall Street Exchange Program, Dan Yu, co-founder of FutureProof You, moderated an animated, expert panel on Networking Best Practices that addressed this topic. Panelists included Christina Li, Managing Director and Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Goldman Sachs; Olivia Ross, Community Engagement Partner for Citizens Bank; and Elizabeth Virga, Director of Regulatory Enforcement for SMBC.
In addition to sharing their own compelling experiences, the panelists impressed the program interns with their candor and practical suggestions for building strong networks. Some of the many tips shared included listening with purpose to make informational interviews more constructive, focusing on building deeper relationships with connections, and emphasizing the value of asking others for feedback about yourself. These skills are even more important in the digital age.
Panelists also emphasized the importance of optimizing LinkedIn and cultivating their networks through social and other virtual platforms.
The session culminated in a collective sharing of helpful books, podcasts, websites, and other resources to continue to improve participants’ networking skills.
The WSE Committee extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to our moderator and panelists for a terrific session. We are also grateful to FWA President’s Circle sponsors Citizens Bank and SMBC, and to Goldman Sachs for their support of the Wall Street Exchange Program.
By Samantha Corredor, FWA Member As fintech rapidly evolves, one thing is clear—women are driving innovation and shaping the future of finance. That vision came to life at our recent Transforming Finance event, hosted in collaboration with NYC Fintech Women and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Held at AWS’s New York City office, the evening brought together bold thinkers, trailblazing technologists, and finance leaders to explore how blockchain, cryptocurrency, and AI are redefining the financial landscape. The evening featured two thought-provoking panel discussions that brought together women leading the charge at the intersection of finance and technology. Breaking Barriers – The Institutional Adoption of Crypto, Blockchain, & Digital Assets Moderated by Ruchy Sharma , Principal Analytics GTM Specialist at AWS, this panel explored how institutions are embracing crypto and digital assets despite a complex regulatory landscape. The panelists—all women shaping this space—shared candid perspectives: Elle Leemay Chen – Investor, Reciprocal Ventures Kristen Keyes – Head of Strategic Partnerships & Enterprise Sales, Paxos Caroline Tarnok – VP, Financial & Operational Risk, Coinbase Nelli Zaltsman – Head of Platform Settlement Solutions, Kinexys by J.P. Morgan Each of these leaders is pushing boundaries in a space still largely defined by legacy systems, helping financial institutions adopt and adapt responsibly. The Tech Stack of the Future: Building Secure & Scalable Digital Assets Led by Vivian Lai , Principal Capital Markets Specialist at AWS, this discussion focused on what it takes to build tech infrastructure that can scale with the growing demands of digital assets. The panel featured: Jeffrey Alberts – Partner, Pryor Cashman Eric Kang – Head of DeFi, Ava Labs Jasmine J . – Digital Assets Strategist, Fidelity Digital Asset Management (FDAM), Fidelity Investments Elizabeth Dethy – Principal, Head of Sell Side Product, Talos Panelists provided valuable insights into how tech and finance must work hand-in-hand to ensure security, transparency, and long-term viability. Closing Remarks FWA President Albana Theka closed out the evening by thanking our partners and the FWA community. Since our founding in 1956 by pioneering women in finance, we’ve remained committed to ensuring that women not only have a voice—but also the tools, networks, and visibility to lead in financial innovation. See More from the Event Check out the event photos below! For more highlights and videos, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram .
By Joanna Jordan, FWA Intern "Give me an F! Give me a W! Give me an A! F-W-A!" This was the level of non-stop energy and overwhelming passion that lit up the SMBC Group offices at our Annual Meeting and New Member Welcome on June 10, 2025. It wasn’t just any Annual Meeting; it was a moment of reinvention. The FWA turned the page and stepped into a bold new chapter with the official welcome of our new President, Albana Theka. Albana didn’t just step onto the stage. She owned it. She stepped into the role with fire, flair, and a plan that’s as fearless as she is. Her speech was not your typical podium read. It was intimate, real and relatable. Albana took the audience on a personal journey, from her roots in Albania to her bold leap to the U.S. in search of purpose. A Google search led her to the FWA in 2019, and the rest is history. From that digital moment to this very real one, her journey came full circle. Now, she’s here to lead. And she’s not playing small. With big goals such as a 20% increase in membership, four new corporate partnerships, a digital transformation, and four brand-new committees (hello Florida, AI, Voices of the FWA, and Lifescape), Albana is shaping a future full of purpose and power. And her energy while doing it? Absolutely contagious. The night wrapped with a surprise musical performance by Albana and George Theka, her husband. It was a heartfelt tribute to the FWA and everything our community stands for, and it was unforgettable. With our 70th anniversary on the horizon, the FWA isn’t just celebrating legacy. It’s rewriting the future, with more voices, more impact, and more fire than ever before. Ready to be part of what’s next? Connect with Albana , follow us on LinkedIn , and join this powerful movement. Let’s build this exciting new chapter together!
The Financial Women's Association (FWA) proudly kicked off another impactful summer of the Wall Street Exchange Program on June 11, 2025. The program is now approaching its 50th year of advancing excellence, connection, and leadership for the next generation of financial professionals. This year’s program opened with a dynamic, high-energy event hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) at their Midtown NYC office. We are deeply grateful to Megan Restuccia, Priya Chesnutt, PhD, Tomris Postaci, and the rest of the dynamic AWS team for their warm hospitality. It was a seamless orchestration of a powerful evening that brought together 70 exceptional interns representing financial services, insurance, and other finance-related roles across the industry. The kickoff included an engaging speed networking bingo activity, which was a big hit! The interns made meaningful new connections, broke the ice with future collaborators, and began building the kind of professional relationships that often lead to lifelong friendships and mentorships. As one intern said: “This is a huge opportunity to connect with so many people in the finance industry. I’m looking forward to making new friends and having an incredible summer. Thank you all for making this possible.” With the bar set high, the 2025 Wall Street Exchange Program is officially underway, and we look forward to a summer full of learning, growth, and transformative connections. A heartfelt thank you goes to the FWA leadership who helped make this evening possible, including FWA President Albana Theka who welcomed the interns and offered words of wisdom to help them succeed; Alissa Desmarais, Executive Director & COO; and Meredith McGriff, Director of Technology and Communications. Their presence and support are instrumental to the continued success of the WSE program. The WSE Co-Chairs and Committee extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the President’s Circle Firms, the Partnership Circle Firms, and the Friends of FWA Firms for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming the new and returning Financial Women’s Association Board Members for the 2025-2026 term. We look forward to working with you to support and serve our community. Thank you for your leadership and service!
