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.
Driving Inclusion Across The Industry: Leaders Share Best Practices on Expanding Participation in the Capital Markets | A Panel Discussion
Driving Inclusion Across The Industry
Leaders Share Best Practices on Expanding Participation in the Capital Markets: A Panel Discussion
TMX Market Centre
24 October | 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
4:15 PM Arrivals & Reception
Rock the Street Wall Street Announces New Collaboration with Manulife John Hancock’s Wealth and Asset Management Division to Provide More Young Women Access to Financial and Investment Fundamentals
Boston – Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the M in STEM to young women, with a focus on financial and investment mathematics, has announced a new collaboration with Manulife | John Hancock’s global wealth and asset management division. Delivered primarily through in-classroom volunteers who are investment professionals, RTSWS provides extracurricular financial & investment fundamentals to female high school students. Once completing the in-school curriculum, participants are offered support and guidance as they navigate their university education, internships, and entry level professional roles in the capital markets and financial workforce.
Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO Manulife John Hancock Investments, and an RTSWS Executive Sponsor commented, “We understand the crucial role financial literacy plays in empowering individuals and leveling the playing field. Partnering with Rock The Street, Wall Street closely aligns with our commitment to foster inclusive growth and provide meaningful opportunities in the financial sector. I’m also proud on a personal level that our team can help support the next generation of women in finance, expanding access, inclusivity and involvement in the investment management space.”
As part of the broader Manulife Impact Agenda, the business is focused on driving inclusive economic opportunities to create a more even playing field for all and believes that advancing financial education and career mentorship through volunteerism and community investment will help to build more equitable communities. This collaboration with RTSWS represents a shared vision of promoting gender diversity in finance and opportunity for financial empowerment. Together, RTSWS and Manulife John Hancock will sponsor a classroom program in Toronto, Boston and London along with events offering strategic insights, thoughtful conversation, and networking to help equip young women with additional skills and knowledge to confidently pursue a role in financial services.
Ashley Leftwich, CEO of RTSWS, said, “We are inspired by Manulife John Hancock’s commitment to greater inclusion across their teams, for the next generation of female leaders, and the financial industry overall. This sponsorship extends our reach and deepens the impact RTSWS has on young women, empowering these students to pursue rewarding careers and achieve financial independence through their professional journey.”
RTSWS has served more than 7,000 young women since its founding, with nearly 1,000 students soon-to-enter the workforce and more than 60 financial firms work with RTSWS to help deliver programming. RTSWS analysis shows that the young women who have completed RTSWS programing are pursuing finance and related degrees at five times the rate of the average female university student.
RTSWS continues to innovate and evolve as the students age up. The Alumnae & Career Center provides ongoing support to RTSWS Alumnae as young women navigate university life, internships, job shadowing, mentoring and early career stages with more than 300 jobs and internships posted from across the industry. RTSWS is active in 25 cities across the US, UK and Canada and offers online and virtual options as well.
Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO Manulife John Hancock Investments and an RTSWS Executive Sponsor
Ashley Leftwich, CEO
Rock The Street, Wall Street
About Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS):
Rock The Street, Wall Street is an innovative nonprofit that brings the world of finance to young women, providing financial and investment literacy before college and career decisions are made, serving them through university and early entry level roles. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS operates in over 50 high schools across more than 25 cities in the US, UK, and Canada. The program leverages female leaders in the financial industry as volunteer instructors and coaches, helping students envision themselves in key roles within the finance sector.
RTSWS works together with its Sponsors and Supporters from world-class organizations, see more information here.
Media Inquiries
Kimberly Weinrick
Rock The Street Wall Street
+1 917-224-5335
email us here
Elizabeth Bartlett
Manulife | John Hancock
ELIZABETH_BARTLETT@jhancock.com
RTSWS Announces Canadian Advisory Council Expanding its Financial & Investment Literacy Programming for Toronto’s High School Girls
During Financial Literacy Month, Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS), bringing the M in STEM to diverse high school girls, is proud to announce the establishment of its Canadian Advisory Council, featuring prominent industry leaders.
RTSWS is dedicated to bringing financial and investment mathematics to high school / secondary school girls providing additional support through university, internships, job shadow and early career roles across 25 cities in the US, UK, and Canada. The council members include Netila Demneri from Russell Reynolds, Amy Miller, former Managing Director & Global Head of Loan Syndications at Scotiabank, Ingrid Montarras, a bilingual Co-op and Business Teacher, Frederick Pinto, CFA, CEO of CFA Society Toronto, and Anthony Ostler, President & CEO of the Canadian Bankers Association.
Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham shares her vision: “Toronto, as Canada’s hub for business and finance, has been a key location for us. This vibrant city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity has already proven an ideal environment for our launch last year in Toronto. This Financial Literacy Month, we are especially inspired by the support from Canadian leaders and organizations eager to contribute to our mission of enhancing financial literacy among talented, hard working young women.”
Rock The Street, Wall Street provides invaluable opportunities for racially diverse high school girls to deepen their engagement with math, encouraging them to choose STEM-related university courses and career paths. Notably, RTSWS alumnae pursue degrees in finance, economics, or related fields at a rate 5x higher than the national average for female university students. Earlier this month, the organization unveiled its newly reimagined Alumnae & Career Center, empowered by ING Americas, aimed at supporting students and graduates as they advance through the RTSWS programs and transition through university and into early careers in the financial sector.
With over 25 years of Wall Street experience, Ms. Cunningham has dedicated her career to empowering the next generation of women in STEM, specifically financial math, emphasizing the transformative power of these professions to elevate families in one generation.
Contributing as an RTSWS Canadian Council Member, Ingrid Montarras of Harbord Collegiate Institute also serves as the first RTSWS School Champion. “I am honored to work alongside such distinguished industry leaders on the Canadian Advisory Council,” said Ms. Montarras. “This collaboration with Rock The Street, Wall Street forges significant connections and elevates the understanding of financial and investment math among our high school girls, opening doors to financial, business and academic sectors in Toronto.”
“RTSWS is enthusiastic about the impact we are creating together. The students are propelled by strong programming and gain from the expertise of female leaders in finance as volunteer instructors and mentors, alongside the support of male allies and sponsoring firms. RTSWS Canadian Advisory Council marks a significant step forward within the financial community as we build strong corporate and academic partnerships that will have a lasting impact on young women in Canada,” Ashley Leftwich, RTSWS Chief Operating Officer remarked.
Rock the Street, Wall Street’s supporters include leaders from Morgan Stanley, CIBC, ING Americas, J.P. Morgan, Scotiabank, Ernst & Young, Ninety One, CFA Society Toronto, Bloomberg, Franklin Templeton, Invesco, Amazon, Carson Group, Varde Partners, LightBay Capital, Canadian Bankers Association, and many others. Click here for a complete list.
About Rock The Street, Wall Street:
RTSWS is a pioneering 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings the intricacies of finance to high school girls, fostering financial and investment literacy before college and career decisions are made. Founded by former Wall Street executive Maura Cunningham, RTSWS has grown internationally, reaching young women in over 60 high schools across more than 25 cities in the US, UK and Canada. The program leverages the expertise of female leaders in finance as volunteer instructors and mentors, alongside the support of sponsoring firms, to help students envision themselves in influential roles within the financial sector, thereby addressing the gender gap in STEM fields effectively.
