Hong Kong Archives | Rock The Street, Wall Street

Rock The Street Wall Street Enters 15th Year, Releases Annual Report and Expands Board Leadership

Jul 16, 2026 | Hong Kong, Press Releases

Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) announced the beginning of its 15th Year, released its 2026 Annual Report and welcomed six new members to its Board of Directors. The nonprofit organization prepares high school and university students, especially young women, with financial and investment fundamentals and career readiness.

Since its founding in 2012, RTSWS has served more than 10,000 students across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom through partnerships with leading financial, fintech and technology firms. The organization's student cohorts demonstrated a 79% increase in financial and investment literacy, in a three-year weighted average. RTSWS alumni pursue finance-related degrees at five times the US national average for women.

"What began with Maura Cunningham's founding mission has further grown into a community of students, industry volunteers, and corporate partners who recognize that access changes outcomes," said Ashley Leftwich, CEO of RTSWS. "This milestone belongs to every person who has helped build RTSWS over the past fifteen years. Together, we educate, prepare, and advance students by providing the fundamentals and workforce readiness, professional networks, and real-world experiences, helping them pursue careers that many had never imagined."

Throughout its 15th Anniversary year, RTSWS will celebrate the students, alumni and industry leaders who have shaped the organization's success while launching new initiatives designed to expand its impact. Anniversary programming will include special student and alumni storytelling campaigns, expanded Industry Insight Days, leadership events along with commemorative episodes of the Rocking Finance podcast from across the capital markets.

RTSWS will also continue to build out its programming and Career Center, connecting students and alumni with internships, early career opportunities, credentialing, mentorship, and employer engagement.

To support its next phase of growth, RTSWS welcomes additional Board Members representing investment management, financial services, academia, technology and business leadership.

"Our Board reflects the strength of the RTSWS community and our commitment to preparing the next generation," said Gretchen Flicker, RTSWS Board Chair. "Building on Founder Maura Cunningham's vision and Ashley Leftwich's leadership, we look forward to helping RTSWS continue expanding its reach, strengthening industry partnerships, and creating even more opportunities and impact for students, expanding participation across the capital markets."

RTSWS Board of Directors:

Gretchen Flicker, CFA Board Chair
Maura Cunningham, RTSWS Founder
Sarah Bracewell, New Director
Christy Chattleton, New Director
Netila Demneri, New Director
Leslie Eisen
Kristie Feinberg, CFA, New Director
Kelly Goldsmith, PhD, New Director
Anders Hall, CFA
Rajiv Kapoor
Robert McGrail
Penny Novick
Stephen Tisdalle
Art Steinmetz
Erich Ziegler, New Director

The 2026 Annual Report highlights another year of measurable growth and student success across an array of strong results and impactful metrics. As RTSWS begins its 15th year, it also celebrates building on successes; highlights include:

More than 10,000 students served since RTSWS was founded
Programs delivered across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with expansion into Hong Kong underway
An average 79% increase in financial and investment literacy among participating students
RTSWS alumni pursuing finance-related degrees at five times the US national average for women
Continued expansion of the RTSWS Career Center, connecting students with internships, mentors, and early career opportunities
Growing engagement through its Rocking Finance podcast, thought leadership, and partnerships with leading financial institutions

The 2026 Annual Report is available here

About Rock The Street, Wall Street

Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) is a nonprofit organization that prepares high school and university students, especially young women, with financial and investment fundamentals, career readiness, and access to the financial services industry. Through partnerships with leading financial institutions, investment managers, stock exchanges, fintech companies, and technology firms, RTSWS connects students with mentors, industry professionals, internships, and career opportunities that help build the next generation of finance leaders. Since its founding in 2012, RTSWS has served more than 10,000 students across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with expansion into Hong Kong underway.

See EIN Press Release

Rock The Street Wall Street Honors 2026 Woman of the Year Kristie Feinberg of Manulife John Hancock Investments during Financial Literacy Month

Apr 29, 2026 | Hong Kong, Press Releases

Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS) marked Financial Literacy Month by hosting student programming alongside its 2026 Annual Woman of the Year Luncheon on April 28 in Boston, convening industry leaders, students, and supporters to celebrate progress, partnership, and the power of access.

With the support of Manulife John Hancock, RTSWS announced a major advancement during the event, expanding its programming into Asia, launching its first cohort in Hong Kong. This milestone extends RTSWS’ reach across four countries and three continents, building on its presence in more than 30 cities.

The event honored Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, as RTSWS 2026 Woman of the Year, and Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as Supporter of the Year. Featuring a fireside conversation with Ms. Feinberg, award presentations, and meaningful engagement with students from three local Boston-area schools, the program reinforces RTSWS’s commitment to connecting classrooms to careers.

“Celebrating Financial Literacy Month with students in this way is incredibly meaningful,” said Ashley Leftwich, CEO of RTSWS. “We are celebrating leaders who are achieving at the highest levels and who are committed to expanding access and pathways for others. At RTSWS, we see every day how knowledge, access, and support compound over time to create real opportunities.”

Reflecting on the recognition, Kristie Feinberg shared, “It is an honor to be recognized by RTSWS, an organization that is changing trajectories. The work being done to connect students to real opportunities early in their journeys is critical. Access matters, and when we invest in people early, we help build financial knowledge, confidence and stronger long-term outcomes, strengthening not only individual futures, but the future of our industry.”

The Woman of the Year Award was presented by an industry leader Cynthia Lo Bessette, who reflected on the leadership, example, and impact Ms. Feinberg has made on the industry throughout her career.

Reginald Sanders was recognized for his instrumental role in advancing RTSWS’ Career Center and supporting pathways from education to employment. “RTSWS is creating something powerful,” he said. “By connecting students to knowledge, networks, and real career opportunities, we are helping to build a stronger, more inclusive pipeline of talent. I’m proud to be part of this work and excited about what comes next for RTSWS and these talented students.”

The luncheon also highlighted RTSWS visionary Founder Maura Cunningham, who presented the Supporter of the Year Award to Mr. Sanders, noting the importance of his role in building the RTSWS Career Center and mentoring opportunities for students.

Board Members, Advisory Council leaders, sponsors, and volunteers were recognized throughout the program for their contributions to expanding access and opportunity. The event, which rotates cities each year across RTSWS’s footprint, culminated in a call to action encouraging attendees to deepen their engagement posting internships and early career roles and supporting the next generation.

RTSWS shared key impact metrics during the program, including a 79% increase in financial and investment literacy among participants and alumni who are 5x more likely to pursue finance, economics, and related fields. To date, the organization has reached more than 10,000 students globally.

The keynote event was preceded by a student panel featuring leaders from Manulife John Hancock during the firm’s volunteering impact week. The panel included Ms. Feinberg followed with networking, mentorship opportunities, and continued engagement between students and professionals, reinforcing the organization’s cohort-based model and emphasis on sustained connection.

“As we look ahead, the momentum is clear,” Ms. Leftwich added. “Together, we are expanding access, accelerating opportunity, and strengthening the future of the capital markets.”

About Rock The Street, Wall Street (RTSWS)

Rock The Street, Wall Street is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the M in STEM to life by providing high school and university students, especially young women, with financial and investment education, mentorship, and access to careers in finance. Through classroom programming, career exploration, and industry engagement, RTSWS equips students with the knowledge, skills and networks to help them succeed.

https://www.einpresswire.com/article/909070673/rtsws-honors-2026-woman-of-the-year-kristie-feinberg-of-manulife-john-hancock-investments-during-finlit-month