Preparing for What's Next: Cailyn Kitchens and the Power of Mentorship

August 13, 2026

by Robert Brown



"I believe that mentorship is incredibly valuable, especially during college as you are navigating a lot of changes and first-time experiences."


For Cailyn Kitchens, a junior at Baruch College, those words aren't simply a reflection on her college experience. They've become the foundation of how she's prepared for her future.


Following her junior-year internship at Scotiabank, Cailyn credits the Financial Women's Association's Baruch College Mentoring Program and her mentor, Laleh Bashirrad, Managing Director at BNP Paribas, with helping her approach one of the most pivotal chapters of her college journey with greater confidence, curiosity, and perspective.

"The FWA Baruch College Mentoring Program has greatly influenced my personal and professional growth," Cailyn said. "Through the program's events and conversations with alumnae and mentors, I am able to understand industries and career paths outside of the one I am planning to pursue, learning about the nonlinear but inspiring journeys professionals have taken throughout their lives. I am also able to learn fundamental life skills and financial literacy, such as budgeting and planning for retirement."


Encouraged by fellow FWA mentees and inspired after attending the FWA's Find Your Finance Interview Edge and Mock Interview Workshop, Cailyn knew she wanted to become part of the community. "Seeing the care, effort, and intentionality Olga and Betsy put into supporting students solidified that I wanted to be a part of this uplifting community."


That decision introduced her to Laleh, and what began as a mentor-mentee match quickly grew into a relationship built on trust, honest conversations, and encouragement. "My relationship with my mentor, Laleh, is one that is open, honest, and nurturing," Cailyn said. "Her guidance has helped me feel much more confident entering the finance industry for my junior-year internship."


Whether breaking down the realities of front-office finance, explaining the impact of macroeconomic events, or introducing Cailyn to professionals across her network, Laleh became both a trusted advisor and a sounding board. Their conversations extended well beyond internships and interviews, giving Cailyn a place to ask honest questions, work through uncertainty, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. "I always appreciate that I can openly talk about any concerns or uncertainties, and she gives thoughtful, practical advice and reassurance."


As she prepared for her internship, Laleh's guidance helped Cailyn approach the team placement process with greater confidence. "My mentor helped me understand each team's responsibilities more in-depth based on her own experience, and helped me prepare insightful talking points and questions to feel more confident. Now that I have completed the team matching process, I am very happy with my placement and am now utilizing resources that my mentor has recommended to feel even more prepared."


While the internship itself was an important milestone, Cailyn says the preparation leading up to it proved just as valuable. Learning how to evaluate opportunities, ask thoughtful questions, and trust her instincts are lessons she'll carry with her throughout her career.


For Laleh, mentoring through the FWA has been one of the most rewarding ways to invest in the next generation of women leaders. "I've had the pleasure of mentoring young women through the FWA-Baruch College Mentoring Program for more than a decade, and I'm continually inspired by the exceptional talent, resilience, and drive these students bring," Laleh said. "Cailyn is a perfect example. She balanced a demanding academic schedule, leadership roles across multiple campus organizations, and preparation for her summer internship while studying the global securitization markets. Through it all, she demonstrated a level of composure, curiosity, and professionalism beyond her years. I look forward to supporting her continued growth and success in future chapters of her journey."


For Cailyn, that encouragement has made all the difference. For Laleh, it's a reminder of why mentoring continues to matter: helping talented young women discover what's possible before they fully realize it themselves.


One lesson has stayed with Cailyn more than any other: never stop learning. "One of the most valuable things I have gained from my mentor is the importance of curiosity and continuous learning," she said. When she wanted to learn Python but wasn't sure where to begin, Laleh encouraged her to connect it to her career interests by building a project of her own.


"Accomplishing goals is not just about having the ambition to do, it's about being resourceful, proactive, and willing to invest time. These are qualities that my mentor exudes, and I believe will be instrumental in my future success." It's a mindset Cailyn now carries into everything she takes on. Rather than waiting until she feels completely ready, she's learned to start, stay curious, and continue learning along the way.


The FWA has also given Cailyn something that's harder to measure but just as important: the confidence to advocate for herself. "At every FWA event, I have consistently taken away the importance of advocating for yourself because 'closed mouths do not get fed'. As someone who grew up very shy and is still working on being uncomfortable in unfamiliar social and professional settings, hearing this as a constant reminder has been especially meaningful to me. I have realized that advocating for yourself is essential to building credibility, gaining autonomy, and succeeding in a competitive industry, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field."


Although she's still early in her journey, Cailyn is already thinking about how she can pay forward the support she's received. "As I progress in my career, I absolutely envision myself becoming a mentor. I have already had opportunities to serve as a peer mentor through the campus organizations I am involved in, Women in Business and 50Five Capital, as well as a first-year seminar peer mentor for Baruch's New Student Programs. As I continue building my professional experience, I would love to become an alumni mentor for college students, especially for the FWA! I would be grateful for the opportunity to guide students as they navigate many of the changes, uncertainties, and first-time experiences I once faced myself. I already was aware of the amazing impact mentoring can have, but being in the FWA has only strengthened that belief, and I hope to give back and empower others in the same way that I have been."


Cailyn's story is still being written, but the foundation is already in place. She's building more than technical skills or industry knowledge. She's building the confidence to lead, the curiosity to keep learning, and the desire to help others do the same.


That's the lasting impact of mentorship. Today's mentees become tomorrow's mentors, carrying forward the same encouragement, wisdom, and belief that helped shape their own journeys.



Get Involved


Inspired by Cailyn's story? Whether you're an experienced professional ready to pay it forward or interested in helping shape the next generation of women leaders, the FWA's mentoring programs offer an opportunity to make a lasting impact.


To learn more or become a mentor, connect with one of our program leads:


Baruch College

Betsy Werley
[email protected]


Seton Hall University

Mary Beth Dunn

[email protected]

Jeanine Pepe
[email protected]


High School of Economics & Finance
Jacqueline Linden
[email protected]

Wall Street Exchange Interns Get an Inside Look at Strategic Communications

August 6, 2026
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Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn Foundations for Professional Excellence

July 30, 2026
On June 23, 2026, the FWA's Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program 2026 cohort gathered virtually for the third weekly session of the program. The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm known for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Brian Marks, Co-Founder and President of Knopman Marks & Highwire, led a practical, high-energy conversation titled "Foundations for Professional Excellence." The first topic that Brian discussed was the habits that drive a successful early career and why those habits matter well beyond an internship. The skills interns build now are the same ones that separate a good intern from a great one; and that later separate a good professional from a high performer. He described high performance, not as a matter of raw talent, but rather as a set of behaviors one can practice. The habits put in place early are the ones that compound. The interns who start practicing them now are the ones who carry them from an internship with limited responsibilities into executive-level responsibility later. The interns then reviewed a series of four credibility builders and four credibility killers, proactive behaviors that shape how senior professionals come to trust a young professional. Owning your mistakes and learning from them is a key credibility builder and surprising your manager with bad news at the last minute is a major credibility killer. The interns then rated themselves on a Strategic Action Matrix, a four-box framework charting how strategy: “Are you focused on the right things?” interacts with execution: “Are you doing the work to get there?”. He asked interns to consider one or two new habits they could put to work immediately. Brian impressed upon the interns that professional excellence is thinking strategically and executing well, while stepping outside their comfort zone, stretching past their limits and building resilience when the plan changes. Brian then introduced the five strategies in The Intern Success Playbook, emphasizing that interns are building their personal brand every day through what others observe. Whether it's staying focused instead of constantly checking a mobile phone or taking the initiative to connect with colleagues, everyday actions shape how others perceive them. His five strategies focused on working and communicating smarter, building authentic relationships, and paying close attention to perception and details. The interactive format kept energy high. Interns enjoyed the live Q&A, the quiz, and the chance to ask questions. A screen full of Zoom hearts spoke to the value they found in his advice. A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing their time and expertise in the WSE 2026 cohort. The session concluded with the WSE Committee awarding intern Sarah Convery a CFA Student Annual Membership, sponsored by the CFA Society. The WSE Co-Chairs, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, and the WSE Committee extend their sincere appreciation to Brian Marks and Knopman Marks for their support in making this virtual session a success. We also thank the FWA President Albana Theka, FWA leadership, volunteers, sponsoring firms, and participating employers for their continued commitment to providing this valuable experience to the next generation of financial professionals. 

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn Networking Best Practices

July 23, 2026
Interns participating in the 2026 Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program gathered virtually for the program’s second session, an interactive panel discussing “Networking Best Practices.” Sponsored by S&P Global, Northwestern Mutual, and Wells Fargo, the session brought together three financial services professionals to share how they have built and sustained meaningful relationships throughout their careers. The discussion was moderated by Dan Yu, Co-Founder of FutureProof You and Director of Partnerships at the talent development nonprofit Ascend Leadership . After a long career on Wall Street, Dan pivoted to recruiting and career coaching, work that has since taken him from coaching college students to C-level executives. He set an energetic, conversational tone for the panel, joined by Jena Angeliadis, Executive Director and Senior Lead Product Manager at Wells Fargo; Antonietta Gaudio, Recruiting Operations Manager at Northwestern Mutual; and Christina Siekierski, Senior Product Manager at S&P Global.  Jena traced her own path across American Express, JPMorgan Chase, and now Wells Fargo, encouraging interns to think of networking less as a transaction and more as an ongoing practice built on curiosity and follow-through. She pointed to her own career transitions, including launching the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business card, as proof that relationships built early in a career often resurface in unexpected and valuable ways later on. Drawing on nearly 14 years in talent acquisition, Antonietta spoke about her “white glove” approach to building trust, urging interns to lead every interaction with empathy and authenticity rather than a polished pitch. She reminded the group that confidence in networking is built from within, and that the goal of any conversation should be genuine connection, not simply a foot in the door. Christina offered a product manager’s view of networking, describing how cross-functional relationships across product, commercial, and client teams at S&P Global have been just as important to her growth as relationships built outside the office. She encouraged interns to treat every colleague, not just senior leaders, as a connection worth investing in. To help interns put the panel’s advice into action, Dan closed the session with five “homework” assignments to complete in the weeks ahead: Update your LinkedIn profile Build a Linktree or dotcard Join or start a virtual networking group Reply to your three oldest unanswered text messages, using voice text Call someone you haven’t spoken with in a year A huge thank you to Dan Yu, Jena Angeliadis, Antonietta Gaudio, and Christina Siekierski, and to S&P Global, Northwestern Mutual, and Wells Fargo, for helping interns build the confidence and tools to network with purpose. At the conclusion of the session, the WSE Committee awarded a CFA Society New York student membership to Angela Lin. 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 for their unwavering support and generosity to the interns and the Wall Street Exchange Program.

Wall Street Exchange Program Kicks Off An Exciting Summer at CFA Society New York

July 16, 2026
The 2026 Wall Street Exchange (WSE) Program celebrated the start of its landmark 50th year on June 7 with an o rientation and networking session hosted by the CFA Society New York at its Manhattan headquarters. This year, WSE brings together 45 students from 28 universities representing 18 diverse financial institutions, insurance companies, fintech firms, and other organizations across the financial services industry. The evening provided participants with an opportunity to meet their peers, engage with FWA volunteers and program leaders, and gain insight into the experiences and opportunities that will shape their summer journey. FWA President Albana Theka welcomed the 2026 cohort and shared words of encouragement as interns began this important chapter in their professional development. She emphasized the value of cultivating meaningful relationships, seeking out mentors, remaining open to new perspectives, and taking full advantage of the opportunities available through WSE. Elizabeth Park, CFA Society New York’s Director of Membership, then introduced participants to the Society’s mission, resources, and commitment to advancing professionalism within the investment industry. Joy Lowenwirth of th e CFA Institute continued, highlighting the importance of ethical leadership, continued education, and lifelong learning while providing attendees with valuable insight into the CFA designation and the evolving landscape of the financial profession.
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