Wall Street Exchange Participants Explore the Future of Finance and Tech

July 28, 2025

What will it take to succeed in the future world of financial services, where technology plays an even more dominant role?


During week 5 of the Wall Street Exchange Program, an expert panel of industry leaders in AI, blockchain, and data analytics and digital tools, shared their experiences and thoughts about the evolution of financial services and what the future holds for those aspiring to build their careers in finance.


Susan Green of SGAdvisory moderated an expert panel, which included Alix Jules, AI Business Transformation Leader at Broadridge; Irene Aldridge, CEO and Founder of AbleBlox and AbleMarkets; and Janna Treybick, Director in the Assurance Innovation & Technology (AIT) - Market Information & Data Analytics (MIDA) practice at PWC.


Panelists emphasized that we are in a transition period, where there is unending opportunity. To be successful in the evolving future, they offered advice around the importance of building relationships and interpersonal competencies, and of being intentional about targeting your next two roles in your skill-building. While technology might rule the future, this won’t change the importance of relationships and ensuring you keep your work and accomplishments visible to others.


Among suggestions panelists offered to interns interested in understanding whether a company will be a good fit were: to speak to current employees, to look for others like you succeeding within the organization, and to ask for stories about those who had been promoted. Inclusion needs to be purposeful, not just platitudes.


The WSE Committee extends its gratitude to the session panelists for an insightful session and for their support of FWA and the Wall Street Exchange Program. Special thanks, as well, to Susan Migliaccio and the FinTech Committee for their assistance in organizing this event.


August 21, 2025
Last night, FWA board member Katrin Dambrot hosted Stories from School , an evening of connection and community in support of the FWA Mentorship and Scholarship Program at Seton Hall University . The theme of the evening was moments that matter. Guests shared personal accounts of mentors and experiences that shaped their college years and early careers—powerful reminders of how guidance and opportunity can change lives. Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve raised $17,000 toward our $25,000 goal! To help us continue supporting the next generation of leaders, make a gift here .
August 19, 2025
We are excited to announce that the Financial Women’s Association will host its next International Business Conference in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in April 2026. This one-week immersive conference will feature high-level meetings with financial leaders, global innovators, and cultural experiences. If you’d like to receive early updates and priority access as plans develop, please complete the short interest form below. Space will be limited.
August 14, 2025
On July 29, the FWA’s 2025 Wall Street Exchange Program held its graduation ceremony. Over eight weeks this summer, 72 rising college seniors from 41 universities with summer internships in finance roles with 40 companies embarked on a journey of growth, learning, and connection. WSE is designed to empower the next generation of financial leaders with tools, insights, and relationships that will last far beyond the summer. Thank you to Wells Fargo Advisors for hosting an inspiring closing event — and to Brenda Titus who shared heartfelt and powerful advice to her 21-year-old self. Among the takeaways were reminders that it’s important to take risks and fail fast, to choose your circle wisely, that the greatest growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and that it’s important to find mentors, not idols. After Titus’ presentation, Gerri Bostick and Laura Smith Dunaief, WSE Co-chairs, and Albana Theka, FWA’s President, presented graduates with their program completion certificates. Congratulations to the 2025 graduates! We look forward to seeing you continue your journey with FWA and beyond. The future is brighter because of you. Special thanks to Wells Fargo Advisors for sponsoring this in-person celebration and to all of this summer’s speakers, who bring this program to life for the interns who represent financial services’ future. A huge thank you to this year's sponsors: AbleMarkets, Amazon Web Services, Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc, Citizens Bank, Goldman Sachs, Joele Frank, Knopeman Marks, MUFG, PwC, SMBC, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Thanks also to the WSE committee members and the FWA Office for their support.
August 11, 2025
Early August brought two standout networking events for women in finance hosted by the Financial Women's Association. One took place on the green, the other in Midtown NYC, and both highlighted the power of professional connection and community. On August 5, the FWA’s Long Island Committee hosted its 12 th Annual Golf Outing at Cold Spring Country Club, one of Long Island’s premier private courses. Members and guests joined for competitive and fun foursomes, a PGA-led golf clinic, and an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffles, and prizes. "It was a great group of people doing something fun together. I learned new things on the green and got some great professional advice on two pressing issues I am facing. That is the power of FWA events,” said Alissa Desmarais, FWA Executive Director & COO. FWA member Maria Maris added, “What a fun afternoon/evening this was! Already looking forward to the next one.” A special thank you to the Long Island Committee and our generous sponsors for making this women’s finance networking event a success.
More Posts