Rock The Street Wall Street Closes the Market at Toronto Stock Exchange, Celebrates Milestones of Empowering 7,000 Young Women in Finance and Expanding Further in Toronto
Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), a leading nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gender gap in finance celebrated key milestones at Toronto Stock Exchange during a special market close ceremony on October 24. The event marked the achievements of empowering over 7,000 young women through its impactful financial and investment programs and further expanding its presence in Toronto.
Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, alongside Cindy Bush, Chief Human Resources Officer of TMX Group, joined by RTSWS Canadian Advisory Council & Board Members, supporters, volunteers and students, commemorated this significant occasion.
“We are deeply moved to have such a range of supporters, friends and students together at the Toronto Stock Exchange,” said Ms. Leftwich. “It’s an honor to ring the bell and join you in this iconic venue as we celebrate the growth of Rock The Street Wall Street with our expanding reach in Toronto this school year. Thank you to the TMX Group for this opportunity, and to our supporters and volunteers—your unwavering dedication fuels service to our students.“
RTSWS is committed to bringing the M in STEM to diverse high school girls, equipping them with vital financial and investment fundamentals. The program notably enhances young women’s engagement in the financial sector, with many pursuing degrees in economics, finance, and related fields at a rate five times higher than the average female student.
With active programs in over 25 cities across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, and online virtual offerings, RTSWS strives to foster inclusivity in the capital markets and prepare students and alumnae for seamless transitions from classrooms to careers.
Ms. Bush expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative: “Rock The Street Wall Street forges paths and provides access for young women into finance. We support this important work and are proud of the ongoing impact these students and alumnae will make in the financial and capital markets sector and beyond.“
The event also featured a pivotal panel discussion: “Driving Inclusion Across the Industry,” where financial leaders shared best practices for expanding participation in capital markets and engaged in a Q&A session with attendees.
Speakers and Panelists:
- Welcome and Opening Remarks: Cindy Bush, CHRO of TMX Group and Ashley Leftwich, CEO of RTSWS
- Founder’s Vision: Maura Cunningham, Executive Chair & Founder of RTSWS
- Panel: Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments; Brandon Gill New, MD & Head of External Partnerships at AIMCO; David Ross, Senior MD & Head of Total Portfolio Management at OPTrust
- Moderator: Frederick Pinto, CFA; CEO of CFA Society Toronto
“This industry event underscores our gratitude towards this strong network of leading voices and reaffirms our commitment to RTSWS students and alumnae as we strive for greater inclusion within the financial sector,” added Ms. Leftwich. “We’re celebrating best practices and the significant impact of our volunteer-led programs. Together, our students are breaking barriers, ensuring broader access to capital markets, and contributing to a more diverse and growing client base. When we elevate diverse voices, the benefits are universal.“
Rock The Street, Wall Street – Canadian Bankers Association Closes the Market in Toronto
On October 24, 2024, Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), joined Cindy Bush, TMX Group’s Chief Human Resources Officer, at the Toronto Stock Exchange to close the market in celebration of RTSWS’s impact, reaching over 7,000 young women with its financial and investment programming.
RTSWS, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering diverse high school girls in Financial & Investment mathematics, offers programs guiding students from classroom to careers, promoting inclusivity in the capital markets. Now active in over 25 cities across the US, UK and Canada, RTSWS helps young women pursue degrees in economics and finance at five times the national average for female students.
Navigating Paths in Finance: Insights from Our Fireside Chat with Industry Leaders
In a riveting fireside chat during our recent Student CEO Summit, Kameka Grady, VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Lincoln Financial, alongside Ashley Leftwich, CEO of Rock The Street, Wall Street, shared their valuable insights and experiences with our talented Student CEOs. The event highlighted ways to navigate a career in finance along with strategies that can lead to success in this dynamic field.
Current Roles and Responsibilities: Kameka Grady described her role at Lincoln Financial, where she spearheads DEI initiatives and partners with business units to drive equity and inclusion across all levels. What excites her most is the ability to make a tangible impact on the company’s culture and to see the real-time results of her DEI strategies.
Ashley Leftwich shared her journey with RTSWS, focusing on scaling and expanding the financial & investment offering to young women as well as leaning into her love of mathematics. Ashley’s drive comes from seeing young women flourish in fields traditionally dominated by men, breaking barriers and expanding the financial industry to highlight, reach and serve clients, colleagues and students in inclusive and empowering ways.
Educational Backgrounds and Their Influence: Both leaders emphasized the importance of education in their careers. Kameka discussed her communications degree from the University of Kentucky and a graduate certificate in Business Administration, highlighting how her education provided her with a robust foundation to advocate for diversity and effective communication to build support and engagement around key initiatives.
Ashley reflected on her background in mathematics and technology how it equipped her with the analytical skills necessary for her roles in finance, leadership and strategy, illustrating the crucial role that academic choices can play in career trajectories.
Essential Qualities and Skills: The conversation also featured qualities and skills crucial for career advancement. Both leaders agreed that adaptability, continuous learning, and the ability to advocate for oneself are indispensable in today’s fast-evolving workplace. Kameka added that a deep understanding of one’s industry and the ability to foresee trends are highly valued by business leaders at all stages.
Non-Linear Career Paths: Kameka and Ashley shared their career journeys, emphasizing that success often comes from a series of non-linear steps, each offering lessons and opportunities for growth. They encouraged the Student CEOs to remain open to opportunities, even those that seem challenging or divergent from their planned paths.
Closing Thoughts: The session concluded with a powerful message from Kameka on the values at Lincoln Financial, including a commitment to community and diversity, which resonates deeply with the mission of RTSWS. Ashley applauded the young women for stepping up as leaders, encouraging them to continue raising their hands for new challenges and leadership roles.
Conclusion: The fireside chat was not only an educational experience but also an inspiring call to action for our Student CEOs. As they navigate their educational and career paths, the insights from Kameka and Ashley serve as a guiding light—one that illuminates the diverse pathways to success in the financial sector.
We look forward to featuring additional sessions as we serve our Students & Alumnae growing into the next generation of financial leaders.
