Nikita Bijlani on Breaking Barriers and Embracing Growth Through the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program

November 14, 2023

The Financial Women's Association-Baruch College Mentoring Program has been forging powerful connections between driven students and seasoned financial professionals for decades. One of the program's featured mentees, Nikita Bijlani, a standout, exemplifies the program's true success.


Under the mentorship of Aidi Zheng, a Director of Global Markets Corporate Banking and Hedge Fund Credit Risk at BMO Capital Markets, a President's Circle Sponsor of FWA, Nikita Bijlani's career trajectory has undergone a remarkable transformation.


Nikita's journey, shaped by Aidi's guidance, has been truly impactful. In her own words, she reflects on the program's influence: "My experience with the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program has been very impactful on both me and my career. My mentor, Aidi, has been one of my biggest supporters... I learned to stand up for myself in ways I did not know how to before... The mentoring program pushed me to believe that I could do better and work harder at my goals to achieve them."


Motivated by the pursuit of excellence, Nikita's inspiration to join the program stemmed from her participation in the Rising Starr Sophomore Program at Baruch, a program that highlighted financial literacy and values in line with the FWA. Her mother's achievements in finance further motivated Nikita, so she sought guidance with the hopes of fostering her own potential and self-advocacy skills.


Aidi's mentorship provided Nikita with the motivation to strive for excellence, emphasizing continuous learning and networking for personal and professional growth. A crucial lesson from Aidi was overcoming the fear of asking questions, empowering Nikita to express her opinions confidently.


"A significant takeaway from Aidi was the skill to break the glass ceiling," notes Nikita. When faced with a challenging project outside her comfort zone, Aidi's unwavering support fueled Nikita's determination to excel, demonstrating that the sky is no longer the limit; it's just the beginning.


Entering her junior year with a predefined finance path, Nikita's horizons expanded under Aidi's guidance, prompting her to consider diverse career opportunities within the finance industry. As she envisions becoming a mentor herself, Nikita acknowledges the incredible impact of the FWA community, stressing the importance of giving back to the next generation.


Nikita Bijlani's story stands as a testament to the FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program's ability to ignite ambition, dismantle barriers, and propel emerging professionals toward success. As she prepares for her internship at BMO Capital Markets next Summer, Nikita embodies the FWA's mission to empower women in finance and inspire future leaders to break boundaries and reach new heights.


Inspired by Nikita’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]).

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We're pleased to announce that the next cohort of the Member2Member program will run from November 2026 through April 2027. Applications are open now, and the deadline to apply is Friday, September 18, 2026 .  Please note the Member2Member program is only open to FWA members. Not currently a member? Join or renew today! The FWA Member2Member mentoring program helps advance the FWA mission of accelerating leadership and success of women in the financial community. The program pairs experienced FWA members with those eager to build leadership skills and advance their careers. Our goal is to create meaningful mentor and mentee partnerships where pairs work together to identify strengths, uncover opportunities, and empower the mentee. We also encourage networking and reverse mentoring among members of the cohort. Interested in participating? Learn more here!
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