Advocacy Month & Getting Ready to Rock Another School Year!

August Advocacy Month: Recognizing Our Dedicated Volunteers and Board Members 

In the spirit of August Advocacy Month, we take pride in spotlighting our exceptional volunteers. These individuals stand as fervent advocates for our students, devoting their time and talent to shape brighter futures.

They introduce the world of financial and investment mathematics to our extraordinary high school girls, playing a pivotal role in financial independence and expanding the talent pipeline. Through their efforts, they empower these young minds to craft exciting pathways ahead. In the past year, more than 1200 volunteers, most alongside their colleagues, enthusiastically entered 60+ local high school classrooms in 30+ cities to impart lessons on the lifelong benefits of learning financial math. 

Moreover, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the RTSWS Board & Advisory Council, our advocates. Their guidance and commitment make this transformative opportunity possible. As they rally colleagues and collaborate to serve our communities, they fuel the momentum of positive change. 

To all our advocates, thank you for being the driving force behind our mission's success. 

RTSWS Student CEOs Ready to Rock Another School Year

As the fall semester approaches, our Student CEOs (leaders of their school’s RTSWS cohort) are diligently gearing up for another remarkable school year. Just last week, the RTSWS team convened with a group of inspiring young women, poised to take on the mantle of leadership as part of the upcoming fall sessions. This marked the inception of our comprehensive Student CEO training series. Anticipation fills the air as we eagerly await the strides they will make alongside their respective RTSWS cohorts throughout the academic year.

RTSWS Alumna Wraps Up
Internship with Wells Fargo

During the summer, Wells Fargo, a sponsor of RTSWS, provided a valuable opportunity for one of our Alumnae Advisory Council members, Trisha R. She served as an Information & Cybersecurity Intern within their organization.

Trisha's journey with RTSWS began in the Panther Creek High School cohorts of 2019, 2020, and 2021, situated in Charlotte, NC. Presently, she is a rising junior enrolled in the University of North Carolina, where her academic pursuits revolve around statistics and data science.

Throughout her internship, Trisha was immersed in Wells Fargo's operations, actively participating in a spectrum of their weekly meetings. This engagement also led her to contribute to ongoing projects undertaken by the technology team. Her involvement encompassed constructing background automations and optimizing existing workflows.

The internship provided an avenue for Trisha to acquire and apply a multitude of skills and tools, including PowerBI, SharePoint, PowerAutomate, Excel and R.


"I've met a lot of really great people, both other college students as well as more experienced professionals and expanded my network. I learned a lot about the company, working with other people, and it helped me figure out more about where my interests lie!" Trisha R. - 2021 Alumna and RTSWS Alumnae Council Member
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the next generation of talent? Unlock the potential of your company's internships, events and early career programs by showcasing them to our exceptional students and dedicated alumnae.

By posting your opportunities on the RTSWS Alumnae and Career Center, you're not just offering a chance for growth to eager individuals, but also tapping into a pool of driven and diverse minds. Your company stands to gain fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and a reputation for investing in the future of the workforce. Join us in shaping tomorrow's leaders while enhancing your company's success today.

Share your opportunities with our students and alumnae.
By contributing to our cause, you not only pave the way for their financial growth but also help connect them with experienced mentors within the industry, fostering a nurturing environment for professional development. Your tax-deductible donation through PayPal Giving ensures that 100% of your contribution directly impacts the lives of these aspiring young minds, making a tangible difference in shaping their success and financial independence. Thank you. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive financial landscape for all.
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Back to School: 23-24 Academic Year is Just Around the Corner

Back to School: 23-24 Academic Year is Just Around the Corner

RTSWS is looking forward to joining our volunteers, sponsors, school champions, students and alumnae for another year of working to bring gender and racial equity to the financial markets and advance young women into the field of finance.

Is your firm supporting a RTSWS school this academic year? Registration is now open in the RTSWS app for the fall financial and investment literacy sessions! Get connected with the Lead Volunteer at your firm to sign up.  Not sure if your firm sponsors a RTSWS cohort? Reach out to us here to learn more and get involved!
The Alzenia Project x RTSWS: Fostering Equity and Inclusion through Financial and Investment Literacy
RTSWS Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham sat down with Cynthia Plouché, Founder & CEO of The Alzenia Project, for a conversation on the impact their organizations make across diverse communities. Named after Cynthia's grandmother, The Alzenia Project embodies strength, resilience, positivity and serving communities with hard work and intention.

Their mission is to be a premier organization harnessing the intergenerational power of women. RTSWS is delighted to work with The Alzenia Project as we bring financial and investment literacy to high school girls, opening their eyes to new and exciting careers. Thank you, Alzenia Project, volunteers and sponsors, for bringing our mission to life for our ambitious students!

RTSWS Students Shadow the
Team at Franklin Templeton

This summer, four RTSWS students from our Hillsdale High School (San Mateo, CA) cohort had the opportunity to shadow financial professionals at Franklin Templeton (RTSWS sponsor). Our RTSWS students joined Franklin Templeton's Future Associates for sessions about the firm, the current state of the equities/bonds market and mastering first impressions. Students also checked in once a day with the Franklin Templeton RTSWS volunteers who served as mentors at Hillsdale High School this past school year. The mentors hosted a networking panel for students where they shared their insights into Franklin Templeton as well as college and career guidance.
"My experience at Franklin was unique and I got a feel for what it would be like to start a job at Franklin Templeton. My favorite part was the Mastering First Impressions (with Rodney S. Jones) because not only was I learning a lot, but the things he taught felt like they could be applied in my life. He talked about how short a time you have to give a first impression and how often you don’t have that time since people will look you up before meeting you. He also gave pointers on how to control your online presence, especially on professional sites like LinkedIn."

- Naia H. (RTSWS Student CEO)
Are you offering internships, events or early career programs?  Share your opportunities with our students and alumnae.
By contributing to our cause, you not only pave the way for their financial growth but also help connect them with experienced mentors within the industry, fostering a nurturing environment for professional development. Your tax-deductible donation through PayPal Giving ensures that 100% of your contribution directly impacts the lives of these aspiring young minds, making a tangible difference in shaping their success and financial independence. Thank you. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive financial landscape for all.
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RTSWS Heads to Toronto!

Gearing Up for the New School Year

As we soak up the last of these summer days, the RTSWS Team is hard at work preparing for another incredible school year.

Did you know RTSWS has 4 different curriculum sets?

Every summer, RTSWS updates each curriculum set with current news headlines, relevant topics and refreshed activities for the upcoming fall sessions.
During the fall sessions, female financial professionals lead classroom workshops on financial and investment literacy. Our cutting edge, open-sourced curriculum rips from the headlines, discusses public policy, economic policy and stock and bond markets. In each set, our students play the role of a financial advisor to their fictional client, Janella, at different stages of her life. 

Green:
Students act as a financial planner for Janella, a 28-year-old female. They create a budget for her, keeping in mind her short-term and long-term financial goals

Silver: 
Students act as a financial adviser for Janella, a 17-year-old college-bound student.
Analyze her college costs and her short-and long-term financial goals.

Gold:
Students act as a wealth management advisor for Janella, a 39-year old professional female, with a sizeable sum of money saved and ready to invest in a publically-traded company.

Copper: 
Students act as a financial advisor for Janella, a 28-year-old female who is interested in investing in a company which is an environmental, social and governance leader.

During all curriculum sets, students will learn about investing, the capital markets and follow weekly stock market trends. RTSWS cohorts rotate to a new curriculum set each year, allowing students an opportunity to explore new topics and build on their existing knowledge.

Stay tuned for more details on 23-24 School Year!

RTSWS Heads to Toronto 🇨🇦

RTSWS is expanding to North America's second-largest financial hub after NYC, with our first school in Toronto! Ahead of the new school year, RTSWS Founder & CEO Maura Cunningham and RTSWS COO Ashley Leftwich visited the city, meeting with Harbord Collegiate Institute School Champion, Ingrid Monterras. While in Toronto, Maura and Ashley also attended the Women in Capital Markets event 'Women in Wealth Management', hosted by RTSWS sponsor Scotiabank, joining 100 attendees to discuss advocacy and expanding the inclusive talent pipeline.
As an nonprofit that encourages girls to explore the M in STEM, we're eagerly looking forward to expanding our organization's footprint to Toronto. The city's dynamic financial landscape presents a compelling prospect for growth and success. This expansion will enable us to better serve girls interested in finance and our partners in the region.

Wall Street Firms for Girls Podcast

Breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes, this summer marks a remarkable milestone as RTSWS Student CEO Sophia M., a high school trailblazer from Hunter College High School in NYC, launches captivating new episodes of "Wall Street Firms for Girls."

Prepare to be inspired as Sophia's groundbreaking podcasts provide a platform for leading female professionals in the male-dominated Wall Street industry to share their invaluable advice and empowering stories. With each episode, she ignites curiosity and ambition in the hearts of high school girls, urging them to explore the exciting world of finance.

Be a part of this transformative journey by tuning in to some of the latest episodes released this summer. Together, we'll witness the rise of a new generation of fearless women, poised to make their mark in the financial world. Let's celebrate the power of diversity and the unwavering determination of these young women to redefine the future of finance. Check out the latest episodes below and join us on this exhilarating ride towards empowerment and equality in the world of finance
Finding the Right Fit: The Experiences and Advice From a Partner at a Multibillion Dollar Fixed Income Asset Management Firm

Carolina Siles is a partner at Lucid Management and Capital Partners LP, a specialized fixed income asset management firm. In this episode, Carolina describes her career as a partner of a multibillion dollar firm and discusses her experiences working in finance, from her perspective as a Latina woman. More specifically, she talks about her work-life balance throughout her career and explains the importance of finding a firm that best supports your personal and career growth.
Different Careers at a Bank: Exploring Communications Careers in Finance

Sophia interviews Esther Lee, the communications manager at Capital One, on the role of communications at a big bank. The segment first focuses on defining and detailing the skill set and opportunities of positions within this field, followed by a recount of Esther's own experiences at Capital One and how she has incorporated her passion for writing into a career in finance. 
Get ready for an electrifying event with RTSWS's esteemed board member, Meredith Jones! She'll share her inspiring journey in the financial industry and reveal the secrets to creating your own luck for career success. Join us, along with our students and alumnae, for an evening of wisdom and inspiration.
Your generous support for RTSWS empowers diverse young women with the invaluable opportunity to enhance their financial and investment literacy, equipping them with vital skills for a brighter future. By contributing to our cause, you not only pave the way for their financial growth but also help connect them with experienced mentors within the industry, fostering a nurturing environment for professional development. Your tax-deductible donation through PayPal Giving ensures that 100% of your contribution directly impacts the lives of these aspiring young minds, making a tangible difference in shaping their success and financial independence. Thank you for being a catalyst for positive change and investing in the next generation of empowered women. Together, we are building a stronger, more inclusive financial landscape for all.
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Celebrating the Class of 2023, A Day in the Life of a Summer Intern

Marshall Fundamental Secondary School Celebrates its Class of 2023

To close the school year, Marshall Fundamental Secondary School's RTSWS cohort in Pasadena, CA held its final meeting and a celebratory send-off for the class of 2023. Gretchen Lee and Lloyd Wong (RTSWS Mentors) of Clifford Swan Investment Counselors were in attendance for the continental breakfast representing over 12 mentors that worked with the RTSWS students this spring.
Katelyn C., one of the RTSWS Student CEOs for her cohort, shared her reflections on the impact of the RTSWS program and the invaluable knowledge and skills she has acquired. As she embarks on her journey as a student at Cal Poly Pomona this fall, Katelyn anticipates applying these newfound abilities right from the start. To commemorate their achievements, each graduating senior of the RTSWS cohort proudly donned the distinguished RTSWS graduation cords along with their caps and gowns during their school graduation ceremony. 
Congratulations to the Class of 2023! 

Day in the Life of a Franklin Templeton Intern

In this newsletter, we are featuring two RTSWS Alumnae who are currently wrapping up their experience as Franklin Templeton summer interns. Carly S. and Stella X. (both 2022 RTSWS Alumnae), were selected for a 4-week internship program with Franklin Templeton (RTSWS sponsor). The program includes an educational bootcamp, panel discussions, mentoring, opportunities to work with different teams within Franklin Templeton, job shadowing sessions, and a final group project the interns present to the Franklin Templeton leadership.

"The program is specifically geared towards rising college sophomores so it is very education-based. This is perfect for me as I really am at a stage where learning about the financial industry and getting an understanding of the landscape is critical to future success in a financial career. I have definitely expanded my knowledge about financial services and those specifically at Franklin Templeton, as well as built a rich network that I will continue to stay in touch with beyond this program."

- Carly S. (RTSWS Alumna 2022)

"The highlight of the internship is the group project! My fellow associate interns and I conducted research on fintech, discussed industry trends with experienced professionals and collaborated on a slide deck. I’ve learned so much through this project and I’m excited to present my findings to Franklin Templeton’s senior leadership! I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to meet and chat with senior leaders from various departments at Franklin Templeton. This internship has helped me further develop essential finance skills and gain a better understanding of the finance industry." 

- Stella X. (RTSWS Alumna 2022)

Are you offering summer internships, events or early career programs? Share your opportunities with our students and alumnae.
Support for RTSWS provides young women the opportunity to increase their financial and investment literacy and get connected to mentors within the industry.
Thank you for your consideration in making a tax-deductable donation. 
RTSWS receives 100% of the donations received through PayPal Giving.
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