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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.

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.”

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.

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.”

"Serving is an honor and a vote of confidence. When we're given the opportunity to volunteer, it means others trust us to carry forward a mission that matters. We're not just filling a role, we're being entrusted with meaningful work, a privilege that reflects belief in our dedication and our ability to advance a purpose larger than ourselves." I joined the FWA in 2008 by serendipity: as a recent post-grad starting my career at HSBC (an FWA corporate partner at the time), I received an email from the Women's Employee Resource Group about a sponsored membership opportunity with the FWA. It instantly reminded me of a key lesson from grad school: the power and importance of networking! I first joined the FWA Microfinance Committee (now called Sustainable Finance): I had studied microfinance in grad school and was inspired by Muhammad Yunus' vision of empowering women as catalysts for economic and financial progress. In 2010, I moved to London for work and returned to New York in 2016. Soon after, I reconnected with the FWA and took on leadership roles that accelerated my professional growth. I chaired the newly formed BOLD Committee (under Stacy Musi's presidency), created to strengthen member engagement through monthly professional development workshops. I later served on the Board as Chair of Membership and Engagement for two years.

I am Richard Hartman, a Business Consultant forged in the crucible of the Employee Benefits and Risk Management sectors, an industry leader in the vibrant realms of Food & Beverage and Hospitality. My story began in 1979, stepping into the insurance arena fresh out of college, eager to make my mark. Since then, I have donned many hats—Carrier Representative, Agent, Sales Manager, and now Consultant—each role a chapter in a saga defined by resilience and relentless pursuit of excellence. I actively contribute to several industry boards and committees, passionately chairing my firm's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. My voice echoes through published articles and presentations at industry events, where I aim to ignite change and inspire a new generation of leaders. My initiation into the FWA was nothing short of transformative. As I sponsored a networking event, I was swept away by an exhilarating tide of energy and ambition. It was here that I witnessed the fierce support for women across all career stages—from ambitious students to powerful C-suite executives in Finance. This electric atmosphere turned me into a fervent believer in their mission.

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.

Resilience and perseverance are the two traits that have come to epitomize Hermina 'Nina' Batson, a strategic, mission-driven global executive recognized for her impressive track record in financial services and regulatory engagement. As a senior business leader, Nina possesses invaluable expertise and a distinguished background in regulatory relations, risk management, corporate finance, and successful securitization deals. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked at Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, MetLife, and JPMorgan Chase. Most recently, Nina served as the Global Head of Regulatory Engagement for Barclays' Internal Audit. She holds Series 79 and 63 certifications and has earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, as well as a Certificate in Accounting from Hofstra University.

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!

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.

My name is Minahil Akmal. I grew up in the vibrant city of Lahore, Pakistan, in a family that placed education at the center of everything. With my mother as a doctor and my father a businessman, I was raised to see education as the most powerful enabler of opportunity. As the eldest of six sisters, I naturally became a role model and trailblazer—paving the way for my siblings and cousins to pursue education and careers abroad. I began my career as a Finance Analyst in Treasury, where I gained hands-on experience on the repo desk and funding operations and witnessed large financial merger firsthand. This experience gave me early exposure to the complexity of financial markets, legal entity structures, and how institutions navigate crisis.  After several years, I returned to Pakistan to honor a promise to my parents and help run my family’s textile business as COO of a weaving unit with more than 2,200 employees. Immersing myself in operations, supply chain, and textile sales, I learned how to lead at scale, balance financial discipline with operational excellence, and adapt to an entirely different business environment.