Spotlight on Ariel Boverman, Nominating Committee Chair

May 22, 2025

Building and retaining leadership and a pipeline for the future


Ariel Boverman is a human resources (HR) professional who has used her expertise to guide executives though organizational change at top firms including Marsh and McLennan, PwC, EY and Wells Fargo Advisors. She represents the Nominating Committee on the FWA’s board, and previously, she served on the board of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In her free time, Ariel loves engaging with diverse people and cultures and being a tourist in her own city. 


Sherree DeCovny, co-chair of the FWA’s Marketing & Strategic Communications Committee, spoke with Ariel about her background and her role in helping the FWA ensure sustainability through strong leadership.

Sherree: What’s your professional background, and why you chose to go down that path?

 

Ariel: Originally, I wanted to be a lawyer, so I studied political science at Queens College, City University of New York. I was recruited to the Student Faculty Disciplinary Committee, and I was a student senator for four years. I also lobbied in Albany, set policy and participated in panels to hire some senior leaders at Queens College.

 

However, I took a class called “Personnel,” and I fell in love with HR. I like helping people, and that was the focus of HR at the time. Nowadays, HR is all about organizational change, employee engagement, manager, leader effectiveness and risk management.

 

I’m a continuous learner, so I earned an MS in Human Resource Management and Labor Relations at New York Institute of Technology School of Management. In addition, I recently earned a Diploma in Transformational Coaching from NYU’s School of Human Capital Management, and a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate from University of South Florida, MUMA School of Business.

 

As a young human resources professional, totally engrossed in my job, I knew that if I didn’t develop a network and keep my skills fresh, I would have a problem later on in my career. I joined the New York Chapter of the SHRM and was an active participant for 18 years. I met many people through the multiple functions I performed at that organization. I was voted to the board and ran the Global Human Resources Director Group for 15 years. I organized five thought leadership events a year for 15 years for the most senior global HR professionals in New York. I also served as president-elect for one year.


Currently, I’m on a career break for elder care, but I’m constantly sharpening my knowledge and skills – especially in AI and employment law – so I’m ready to go back into the workforce. As a volunteer, I apply my experience and skills to add value to the FWA’s programs. I also co-lead a weekly executive roundtable with more than 100 executives, facilitating job search and career discussions. This is crucial during these challenging times, helping executives pivot their functional roles and industries.

 

Sherree: How long have you been a member of the FWA, and what was your leadership journey with the organization?

 

Ariel: I’m starting my fourth year as an FWA member, but it feels much longer because I’ve done so much. I joined the organization when I worked at Wells Fargo Advisors, which was a President’s Circle member of the FWA. My first role was to co-lead the Back2Business program, which was designed to help women return to the workforce after a career break. I also joined the Membership Committee because I have a lot of experience in membership and engagement.

 

Within about a year, I had a conversation with several FWA leaders, who thought I would be good candidate for the board. I expressed interest in the Nominating Committee because it focuses on talent and succession planning – a very important HR function. I was elected to the board, and I’ve served as chair of that committee for the last two years. I’m also co-lead for the Pacesetters Leadership Development program.

 

I’m excited by my work at the FWA because I’ve led a team that has contributed to building and retaining our leadership and a pipeline for the future. Putting processes in place to ensure that we’re getting the right leadership is very dear to my heart.

 

Sherree: What skills and expertise do you need to be an FWA board member?

 

Ariel: First, you have to be committed to the FWA’s mission and membership. You need to come to meetings with ideas and be prepared to discuss issues and make decisions. Being a good board member is about building trust and relationships. If you say you’re going to do something, you need to actually do it. You’re expected to contribute your skills, experience and connections to further the FWA’s mission. Finally, you need to be an ambassador for the organization to expand our membership and endowment.

 

Sherree: How did you benefit from your FWA experience, both personally and in your career?

 

Ariel: I’m giving back by contributing my HR experience and skills to a community of female leaders currently working in financial services as well as younger women who aspire to have a career in the industry.

 

In addition, the FWA has enabled me to enhance my leadership skills, especially motivating unpaid professionals to accomplish shared goals for a nonprofit.

 

Sherree: The world has changed a lot over the last few years. What are the FWA’s biggest opportunities?

 

Ariel: The FWA is planning to roll out many new initiatives over the next few months to refresh our programs and activities, as well as enhance our leadership and culture. We embrace innovation to lead change in finance, leadership and women’s advancement.

 

Sherree: What career advice do you have for our current and prospective members? How can the FWA help them achieve their goals?

 

Ariel: Make time to build your network both internally at your company and externally. Join the FWA, volunteer on committees and take leadership roles. The FWA needs volunteers who are passionate, dedicated and want to help us grow.

 

Volunteer leadership provides valuable experience to help sharpen your skills and expand your professional network that advance your career and shape the FWA’s future. Many of these positions offer off-the-job-training for on-the-job-growth. Stretch in a collaborative environment, and be prepared for the next level. 

From Albania to FWA President: My Story, My Vision, Our Future

July 3, 2025
It was only a couple of weeks ago that I stood in front of many of you at our Annual Members Meeting . The moment I took the stage as the 60th President of the Financial Women’s Association, I felt a wave of gratitude—not just for the role, but for the road that brought me here. That road started thousands of miles away, in a small city in southern Albania. I was 16 years old when I told my parents I wanted to go to America—not just to visit, but to live, to learn, to build something bigger than what I could see around me. Although a difficult decision, my parents supported me. They knew that as a woman, growing up in a country that had seen communism, a difficult transition to democracy, civil war and refugee crisis, I wouldn’t have the same opportunities if I had stayed. That decision would change my life forever.

Become a Mentor with FWA’s High School Mentoring Program

July 2, 2025
The Financial Women’s Association (FWA) is now inviting applications for mentors to join our Mentoring Program at the High School of Economics and Finance (HSEF) . This is a unique opportunity to mentor a high school junior or senior and make a meaningful impact by providing guidance, support, and inspiration as she navigates her academic journey and begins exploring future career paths. As a mentor, you’ll: Empower a young woman to succeed in school and beyond Develop your own leadership and coaching skills Connect with a dynamic network of FWA professionals Contribute to building the next generation of women in finance and business Mentor Requirements: Must be an active FWA member Available for structured mentoring sessions Committed to supporting youth development and career readiness Ready to make a difference? Apply here: https://forms.gle/8yy8q2JfWddb2vB27 To learn more about this opportunity, please review the FWA HSEF Program Guide PDF and the Urban Village Mentor Info PDF . Want to make an even bigger impact? We're looking for an enthusiastic and energetic FWA member who is passionate about supporting and empowering the next generation of women leaders in finance to co-chair the FWA High School Mentoring Program Committee and help lead our program at the High School of Economics and Finance (HSEF). Prior mentorship experience is preferred. This role will be part of the FWA Leadership Council. If you are interested, please reach out to FWA Educational Programs Manager Kelsie Piersaint ( [email protected] ) and HSEF Program Chair Meishanka Moodley ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Wall Street Exchange Interns Learn What It Takes to Deliver and Excel

July 1, 2025
On June 24, 2025, interns in the FWA’s Wall Street Exchange Program came together virtually for the third session of the summer, an energizing and highly practical experience titled “Foundation for Professional Excellence.” The session was sponsored by Knopman Marks, a boutique NYC-based firm touted for its high-performance training for securities licensing exams. Nina Batson, former FWA President, introduced the session presenter Brian Marks, Partner since 2010, Head of Performance, and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Brian delivered an interactive, high-impact session designed to give interns tangible tools they can immediately apply in their internships and long after. His guidance included: Five Credibility Killers, including two critical missteps: Handing your boss a problem without offering a solution Saying, “That’s not my job” Five Credibility Builders, including: Taking initiative by asking, “What would take this to the next level?” Applying feedback immediately and visibly to show responsiveness He also introduced interns to a Strategic Action Matrix, a 4-box framework that maps strategy vs. execution, encouraging interns to assess where they currently fall. He encouraged them to strive toward the high-performance quadrant where strategic thinking meets strong execution. Brian challenged interns to step outside their comfort zones, just 4% beyond, to stimulate growth, even when facing fear, mental roadblocks, or a lack of confidence. His advice? Take small, consistent actions that stretch your limits and develop resilience. One of the session’s most resonant takeaways was the reminder to “land the plane.” In other words, your work isn’t done until you’ve evaluated the success of a project and reflected on what worked and what didn’t. Interns had the chance to ask questions throughout, and Brian’s thoughtful, actionable responses helped them better understand how to own their effectiveness, work through ambiguity, and build reputation capital within their organizations. A huge thank you to Knopman Marks and Brian Marks for investing in the next generation of finance professionals. 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 .

Women Shaping Fintech's Future: Highlights from Our "Transforming Finance" Event

June 26, 2025
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 .
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