Rock The Street, Wall Street was honored to take part in the CFP Board’s inaugural Power Women Design Summit, held in New York City. This high-impact gathering convened leaders from across the financial planning profession to explore bold strategies for attracting, retaining and advancing women CFP® professionals.

Founder Maura Cunningham joined a panel discussion titled “Women and the Financial Planning Ecosystem: The Path to Success,” alongside Phuong Luong, CFP® and Kamila Elliott, CFP®. Moderated by Susan Reilly Salgado, Ph.D., the conversation highlighted the importance of early exposure to financial planning, mentorship, and inclusive career pathways.

A highlight of the event was connecting with longtime RTSWS friend Cary Carbonaro, CFP® Professional, MBA, and celebrating her new book, Women and Wealth: A Playbook to Empower Clients and Unlock Their Fortune. Cary’s earlier book, The Money Queen’s Guide, was shared with RTSWS students in past cohorts and helped spark vital conversations about financial independence and long-term planning.

The momentum continues this summer, as RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich leads a virtual fireside chat with Cary Carbonaro through our Career Center, offering students and alumnae firsthand access to her expertise and career journey.

Special thanks to CFP Board for creating a space dedicated to action and progress and for inviting RTSWS to be part of the movement to expand opportunity in financial planning.

Rock The Street, Wall Street was proud to join global leaders at CFA Institute CareerFest 2025 and CFA Institute Live, where over 1,400 attendees from 70+ countries gathered to explore the future of finance.

Our CEO Ashley Leftwich and COO Johannah Mullenix represented RTSWS, engaging with university students, alumnae, and industry professionals while spotlighting our expanded Career Center. The Career Center continues to grow as a resource connecting students to internships, early career opportunities, and real-world financial insights.

A highlight of the event was RTSWS alumna Alinda Li’s Lightning Tent Talk. Alinda, a Chicago program graduate, shared her journey from high school student to University of Michigan alumna to Equity Research Associate at William Blair. Her story was a powerful reminder of the impact of early access to financial education.

We also celebrated the many RTSWS supporters featured in panels and sessions, including Wylie Tollette (Franklin Templeton), Blair duQuesnay (Ritholtz Wealth Management), and Heather Brilliant (Diamond Hill), among others. Their insights helped elevate discussions on education, ethics, client relationships, and evolving investment strategies.

Special thanks to CFA Institute and event lead Katharine Warren for hosting a high-impact event that continues to raise the bar in professional development and financial education.

Location
Richland Country Club
1 Club Drive
Nashville, TN
37215

Maura Cunningham

RTSWS Founder & Executive Chair

Anders Hall

RTSWS Chair of the Board &
Vanderbilt University’s Vice Chancellor for Investments & Chief Investment Officer

During January’s National Mentoring Month in the US, we are delighted to share insights from the Harvard Women in Business BOLD event, where RTSWS CEO, Ashley Leftwich, and Katherine McCord, VP of Client Reporting and Communications at HarbourVest, were featured in a fireside chat. The discussion was moderated by Phoebe Tian, a dedicated member of the BOLD Committee.

Ashley discussed the core mission of Rock The Street, Wall Street, focusing on ways to address barriers that prevent some young women from pursuing careers in finance. By integrating financial and investment fundamentals into high school cohorts, RTSWS empowers young women to navigate from the classroom to university, internships and significant roles in the financial markets, increasing the representation of women in finance.

Katherine shared insights into her role at HarbourVest, where she oversees client reporting and communications, and leads the firm’s ESG and Community Engagement initiatives. She highlighted the synergy between HarbourVest’s goals and the mission of RTSWS, particularly in empowering young women through enhanced financial literacy and career opportunities.

A standout moment from the event was the discussion of a success story from an RTSWS Alumna who credited the program with solidifying her interest in and pursuit of the financial industry, demonstrating the transformative impact of RTSWS’s mentorship and educational programs.

The event also delved into the evolving landscape of women in finance, the critical role of mentorship, and the importance of diversity for better decision-making in the industry. Speakers discussed the challenges they’ve faced as female leaders and how they’ve navigated these challenges to foster inclusive, supportive environments for women.

As we continue to drive change and empower the next generation, events like the Harvard’s BOLD conference serve as crucial platforms for sharing strategies, celebrating successes, growing engagement in our Alumnae & Career Center. Together with volunteers, mentors and team, we are inspiring and inspired by our RTSWS Students & Alumnae – thank you!