West Coast Highlights: Students, Volunteers & Leadership

From Classrooms to Careers Across the West Coast

RTSWS student cohorts are off to a strong start across the West Coast! From Los Angeles and Pasadena to Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Portland, students are building financial and investment fundamentals, connecting with industry professionals and exploring career opportunities.

With additional cohorts in Redwood City, San Mateo and Chandler, Arizona, RTSWS continues to bring the M in STEM to life through engaging workshops and industry connections. Recent activities across California, including events in the La Jolla area, reflect the enthusiasm and momentum of our growing programs.

Each session gives students opportunities to ask questions, build confidence and learn directly from financial professionals. We're proud of our talented students and grateful to the volunteers and corporate supporters who make these experiences possible!

Interested in supporting a student cohort?

West Coast Advisory Council Supports RTSWS Growth  

RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich recently hosted a strategic session with the West Coast Advisory Council, including RTSWS Board Chair Gretchen Flicker, CFA and Board Member Erich Ziegler focused on strengthening student programming and expanding opportunities across our Western footprint.

Council members Diane Chen, Lyssa Holman Grimaldo, Jill Murphy, Robyn Rogin, Kimberly Summe and Lanhee Yung bring valuable expertise across finance, investment management, operations and real estate private equity. Their industry knowledge and professional networks help RTSWS strengthen relationships with financial leaders, expand opportunities for students and alumni and support our growing student cohorts.

We appreciate the Council’s continued guidance and commitment as we work together to connect more students with industry professionals, strengthen financial and investment fundamentals and prepare the next generation for careers in finance.

Interested in getting involved?

Learn more about the leaders supporting our mission.

ROCKING FINANCE PODCAST

Resilience, Career Growth & the Long Term

In this episode of Rocking Finance, RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich speaks with Caroline Gaynor, Vice President, Relationship Director & Investment Specialist at Avantis Investors, about resilience, career growth and thinking long term.

An accomplished endurance athlete, Caroline guides blind and visually impaired athletes through triathlons and Ironman competitions. She shares how hard work and persistence carry into her impressive financial career, and how setbacks can build self-awareness and confidence.

The conversation explores compounding beyond investing: how small actions, mentors and professional relationships can open doors throughout a financial career. Caroline encourages students to stay connected, reach out to professionals whose careers interest them and follow up thoughtfully, reinforcing RTSWS’s work helping students build financial knowledge and explore industry opportunities.

Her advice for students preparing for internships and early-career roles: do your research, ask questions and understand what success looks like before stepping into a new role.

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

Summer Co-op 2027 - Venture Capital

(Undergraduate Students)

Manulife John Hancock Investments

Toronto, ON

Real Estate Intern - Summer 2027

(Undergraduate and Graduate Students with a graduation 
date of December 2027 to August 2028 )

Visa

San Francisco, CA

2027 Summer Intern Equity Research (Buy Side) Chicago 

(Undergraduate Students with an expected
graduation date of December 2027 or June 2028)

CIBC

Chicago, IL

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Ready to get involved? Contact our team to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities and ways to support RTSWS.

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

From Classrooms to Careers: RTSWS Students in Action

Students Active Across our Footprint

From Atlanta, Chicago and New York to communities well beyond, RTSWS students are raising their hands, asking thoughtful questions and building their financial and investment knowledge.

With our cohorts back in full programming, we are working alongside our volunteers to put Educate Prepare Advance into action. Through classroom workshops, conversations with industry professionals and mentorship, our students are strengthening investment fundamentals, expanding their networks and exploring the many paths into finance.

Questions asked and connections formed move students forward, helping them make informed decisions and build momentum from classrooms to careers.

With strong financial and investment fundamentals, expanding professional networks and greater confidence in what comes next, RTSWS students are thriving in their education and preparing for future careers.

RTSWS BOD SPOTLIGHT

RTSWS Board Member Named to
50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds

Congratulations to RTSWS Board Member Leslie Eisen, Head of Long/Short Equity at Wellington Management, on being named to The Hedge Fund Journal’s 50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds 2026.

The annual list, in association with EY, recognizes accomplished women across the alternative investments industry, including leaders from Wellington Management, Citadel, Jain Global and Maples Group. Leslie brings valuable leadership and perspective to the RTSWS Board while helping support the next generation of students as they move from classrooms to careers in finance.

Join us in recognizing Leslie and all of these honorees for their leadership across the investment industry.

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2027 LaunchMe Mentorship

(Undergraduate Students)

100 Women in Finance

Virtual

2027 Summer Intern - Credit/Commercial Banking

(Undergraduate Students - rising juniors preferred)

First Citizens Bank

Raleigh, NC

Equity Research Analyst/Associate - Consumer Finance 

(Full-Time Role)

Bank of America

New York, NY

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Ready to get involved? Contact our team to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities and ways to support RTSWS.

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

RTSWS at 15: Innovation, Impact & Industry Leadership

RTSWS Kicks Off 15th Year of Programming

As Rock The Street, Wall Street begins our 15th year of programming, we are proud to celebrate the community that continues to move our mission forward. Each year, students raise their hands to take part in a program that builds Financial & Investment fundamentals, strengthens confidence and introduces career pathways they may not have previously considered.

Our alumni build on that impact beyond the classroom. Many are now beginning careers across the financial industry and returning to mentor and support the next generation of RTSWS students. Alongside them, industry volunteers and sponsors bring learning to life through classroom sessions, Industry Insight Days, mentoring, career programming and events. As we begin this milestone year, we thank you.

Your support helps us remain focused on educating, preparing and advancing students from classrooms to careers.

EXECUTIVE SPOTLIGHT

Building Knowledge, Opening Doors

Our Executive Sponsors have an important role in advancing the RTSWS mission through their commitment to Financial & Investment fundamentals, career readiness and industry access.

“Understanding investing is one of the most important forms of financial empowerment. When young people gain the knowledge and confidence to participate in the capital markets, they are better equipped to build financial security, make informed decisions and contribute to a stronger economy.

RTSWS is helping expand participation by preparing the next generation, especially young women, with the skills, perspective and industry connections that help them succeed.”

 — Wylie Tollette, CFA, Senior Advisor at Franklin Templeton

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2027 Sales and Trading Off-Cycle Internship (London)

(Graduate students who are recent graduates
or graduating in 2027 or 2028)

Morgan Stanley

London, UK

Portfolio Implementation Intern

(Undergraduate Students with a graduation
date of May or June 2028 )

AllianceBernstein

Nashville, TN

2027 Corebridge Financial Summer
Internship Program - Actuary 

(Undergraduate or Graduate Students with
a graduation date no later than August 2029)

Corebridge

Houston, TX; Woodland Hills, CA; Jersey City, NJ

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Ready to get involved? Contact our team to learn more about our programs, volunteer opportunities and ways to support RTSWS.

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

RTSWS STEMtember + Back to School

RTSWS Students Take the Lead at High School Club Fairs

Happy STEMtember! RTSWS High School students are leading the way, sharing the program with their peers and helping more students get connected.

At club fairs, Student CEOs are introducing classmates to RTSWS, highlighting what they’ve learned and encouraging more students to get involved. From Financial & Investment fundamentals to mentoring and career exploration, they are helping peers see how RTSWS can support their individual path from classrooms to careers.

This leadership role helps build experience while strengthening student participation.

Help them continue this momentum. Volunteer with RTSWS or support our work to bring Financial & Investment fundamentals, mentoring and career access to more schools.

A Fresh Curriculum for a New School Year

With school back in session, RTSWS is ready to begin a new year of Financial & Investment Literacy Workshops with an updated curriculum designed to keep learning relevant, practical and engaging.

Our students will explore core investment fundamentals including compounding, budgeting, investing and managing risk, while also learning how financial markets work and discovering career paths across the industry.

Each year, RTSWS strengthens its curriculum to help educate students, prepare them for what’s ahead and advance their understanding of the financial world.

Want to help bring these lessons to life? Volunteer with RTSWS and support students as they build financial knowledge and explore careers in finance.

ROCKING FINANCE PODCAST

Velocity of Money & Compounding

RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich is joined by Shelly Antoniewicz, Chief Economist at the Investment Company Institute (ICI), for a conversation that moves from the velocity of money to the power of compounding and the experiences that drove Shelly’s early career.

Together, they explore how economics, investing and public policy connect, along with the critical role reliable data plays in the financial markets.

Shelly also shares insights into ICI’s work, the asset management industry and lessons from her own career, offering useful guidance for students building their own financial knowledge.

Listen to Episode 17 of Rocking Finance

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

2027 COLAB Connects Career Forum

(Undergraduate through 3 years post-graduate school)

COLAB Connects

New York, NY

Rotational Development Futures Program –
Fixed Income (2027 Graduates)

(Full-Time - For 2027 New Grads)

Franklin Templeton

Boston, MA

2027 Summer Intern – Client Management Account Analyst 

(Undergraduate Students)

PIMCO

Toronto, ON

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

RTSWS Industry Internship Spotlight and Private Wealth Event

Learning the Business of Asset Management

This summer, RTSWS Alum Samantha K. gained an inside look at the asset management industry while interning with a US wealth advisory product team.

Her days included contributing to team projects, attending meetings and learning about investment products and strategies. Panels and training sessions introduced Samantha to different areas of the financial industry while helping her build skills in teamwork and professional communication.

“My favorite part of the experience was having coffee chats with several employees,” shared Samantha. “I really enjoyed being able to ask questions, learn how people got to where they are today and get advice about working in the finance industry.”

The experience gave Samantha a stronger understanding of investment products, financial markets and how a large financial organization operates while introducing her to the many career paths available within asset management.

Ready to start building your own connections in finance? Sign up for a Coffee Chat through the RTSWS Career Center.

Kickoff Time: RTSWS Sessions Start Soon!

Our first RTSWS sessions of the year are almost here! Soon, students will begin building their knowledge of Financial & Investment fundamentals alongside volunteers from across the financial industry.

High School Volunteers: If you haven’t registered for this school year yet, please take a few minutes to complete your enrollment in the RTSWS app. Returning volunteers simply need to re-enroll. New volunteers will also complete a brief background check.

University Volunteers: Financial professionals are welcome to sign up to participate in coffee chats or as a speaker to university students. Returning volunteers, you are registered; simply let us know if your quarterly availability has changed.

Inside the app, you’ll find a 25-minute volunteer training and the electronic fall curriculum so you have everything you need before your first session.

Thank you for helping bring finance to life for the next generation.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

RTSWS Joins Women in Private Wealth Conference

RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich participated in the Markets Group Women in Private Wealth conference, where discussions focused on women’s growing influence over global wealth, approaches to investing and financial decision-making and the importance of supporting more female talent across the industry.

The event also provided opportunities to connect with industry leaders and longtime RTSWS friends: Cary Carbonaro, Olivia Halis Parkhurst and Shannon Saccocia, among others.

Interested in RTSWS speaking at your next event?

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

Early Career Intern - Fundamental Equities

(Undergraduate Juniors graduating by summer of 2028)

Invesco

New York, NY

CareerFest

(Secondary School Students and University Students)

CFA Society Toronto

Toronto, ON

2027 | Americas | San Francisco | Asset Management, Private Investing | Summer Associate

(Graduate Students pursuing an advanced degree
such as MBA, PhD, JD, MD, or LLM)

Goldman Sachs

San Francisco, CA

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Career Insights, Intern Spotlights & a Rocking Finance Rewind

From Student CEO to Finance Internship

This summer, Eloise J. participated in a Summer Excellence Internship alongside five other RTSWS students. There, she explored securitized assets, connected with professionals across the firm while continuing to build her knowledge and experience.

Reflecting on the experience, Eloise shared, “I want to thank RTSWS for making this incredible opportunity possible. I had the chance to meet so many wonderful people and explore opportunities within both securitized assets and the broader financial industry.”

Eloise, also an alum of the Morgan Stanley Finance Academy, is preparing to attend Georgetown University’s Business and Global Affairs dual degree program next year. Eloise encourages other students to explore similar opportunities through our Career Center.

Looking for your next opportunity? Join the RTSWS Career Center to explore internships, jobs, industry events and career resources for RTSWS students and alumni.

ROCKING FINANCE Rewind

Special podcast: 2024 Conversation with Sallie Krawcheck & Maura Cunningham Hosted by Ashley Leftwich

For our 15th episode of Rocking Finance, we revisit a memorable 2024 conversation hosted by RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich with our visionary Founder Maura Cunningham and Wall Street legend Ellevest Founder Sallie Krawcheck.

Earlier this month, Ashley reflected on this conversation while attending the Women in Private Wealth Markets Group conference, where Dr. Sylvia Kwan, CFA, CEO of Ellevest, shared on a panel how financial decisions can consider overall well-being.

Maura and Sallie's candid, practical discussion offers lasting lessons, from standing out, knowing your numbers, and advocating for yourself to being prepared and understanding the value you bring.

RTSWS is grateful to Sallie and Maura for sharing their insights with students and our community. 

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

Explore the sampling of internships and jobs listed below as a glimpse into the exceptional opportunities our sponsors provide.

Morgan Stanley Finance Academy

(Virtual Program for US-based High School Seniors)

Morgan Stanley

Virtual/United States

Summer 2027 Internship - Finance

(Undergraduate juniors, graduating by May 2028 )

ING

New York, NY

2027 Summer Intern - Finance & Accounting Analyst

(Undergraduate students, must be able to begin full-time employment between January 2028 and August 2028)

PIMCO

Newport Beach, CA

Contact careercenter@rockthestreetwallstreet.com to post internships, entry-level jobs and
industry opportunities on the RTSWS Career Center. 

Your donation advances our important mission and works toward our future plans that will assist even more girls and expand the talent pipeline while narrowing the wealth gap

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub