RTSWS Student Reflections

May 15, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

Student Insights and Takeaways

Three Boston-area schools joined us at our annual Woman of the Year luncheon. CEO Ashley Leftwich led a powerful fireside chat with Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, on leadership, lessons learned and looking forward. Students also participated in a dynamic panel hosted by Manulife John Hancock before the keynote.

Students shared the insights that stood out most to them. We hope you enjoy their reflections.

  • Building with Confidence
    “Not fearing judgment and being innovative with solutions will prosper a path with diligence in future careers.”
  • Courage Through Discomfort
    “From this talk, I’ve really learnt that we shouldn’t be afraid of judgment and that it’s fine being uncomfortable.”
  • Take Accountability
    “Something that stood out to me was how they advised to take accountability if you make a mistake and do your best to fix it, even involving other people to help, which I find very mature and brave.”
  • Finding Purpose
    “Branch out and find purpose in each thing you do; learn to experience as much as possible.”
  • Invest in yourself
    “You are your best investment.”
  • Knowing Your Worth
    “Be open to opportunities and invest in yourself. Don’t sell yourself short.”
  • Solving Through Uncertainty
    “...Learn to solve problems in times of uncertainty. Your future is in your own hands.”

RTSWS UNIVERSITY EVENTS

RTSWS On the Road: Massachusetts University Tour 

Last week, we spent three days driving across Massachusetts, visiting universities including Northeastern, Boston University, Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke, listening to students and meeting the people who support them.

So much of what we do lives online. Zoom panels, email outreach, virtual programming; it works, but nothing replicates what happens when we show up in person.

RTSWS is connected to more than 100 university campuses, and over the past few years we've expanded our reach well beyond the high school classroom. We built the RTSWS Career Center specifically to serve university women as they move from curiosity to career exploration. Through the Career Center, students access a curated job and internship board, one-on-one Coffee Chats with finance professionals, industry speaker events and networking opportunities. These aren't generic resources. They're built by people who know finance and what young women need to break into it.

Every visit revealed something a spreadsheet couldn’t: the personality of a campus, what's thriving, what's missing, and where we fit. City schools feel different from rural ones, career center relationships vary widely, and students' needs are more specific, and more urgent, than any virtual survey can capture, particularly in the age of AI.

That was on full display at Smith College. Thirty women packed the library on a Wednesday evening and stayed for every question. Students drove in from neighboring campuses just to be in the room. They were ambitious, prepared, and hungry for exactly the kind of access and community RTSWS exists to provide.

That room said it all.

More to come as we continue to grow our college campus relationships. And if you'd like us to connect with or visit your alma mater, we'd love to hear from you — click here to reach out. Open the door to Wall Street for the next generation!

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

Client Representative: Global Shareholder Services Intern

(Undergraduate Students)

Franklin Templeton

Rancho Cordova, CA

2026 Investment Banking Strats Fall Associate Program

(Master's Degree Students)

Morgan Stanley

New York, NY

Emerging Leaders Conference

(Undergraduate Students - Rising sophomores (Class of 2029) and juniors (Class of 2028))

Forté Foundation

Washington, DC

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

Honoring 2026 Woman of the Year Kristie Feinberg during Financial Literacy Month  

May 4, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

Honoring 2026 Woman of the Year Kristie Feinberg 
during Financial Literacy Month  

We marked Financial Literacy Month with students and leaders during our annual Woman of the Year event in Boston, honoring Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, as RTSWS 2026 Woman of the Year, and Reginald Sanders, Managing Director at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, as Supporter of the Year, hosting RTSWS students from 3 Boston-area high schools.

“Celebrating Financial Literacy Month with students in this way is incredibly meaningful,” shared 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 industry leader Cynthia Lo Bessette, who reflected on the leadership, example and impact Kristie 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 Founder Maura Cunningham, who recognized Board Members and presented Mr. Sanders with the Supporter of the Year Award, emphasizing his role in advancing student access through the RTSWS Career Center and mentoring opportunities.

RTSWS is Expanding to Asia

With the support of Manulife John Hancock, RTSWS announced a major advancement during the RTSWS Woman of the Year 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. We look forward to sharing more in the coming academic year.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

Client Representative: Global Shareholder Services Intern

(Undergraduate Students)

Franklin Templeton

Rancho Cordova, CA

2026 Investment Banking Strats Fall Associate Program

(Master's Degree Students)

Morgan Stanley

New York, NY

Emerging Leaders Conference

(Undergraduate Students - Rising sophomores (Class of 2029) and juniors (Class of 2028))

Forté Foundation

Washington, DC

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

Math in Action This Financial Literacy Month

Apr 17, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

The Impact of Math on Financial & Investment Literacy

What RTSWS Is Doing This April

April is Financial Literacy Month, and at RTSWS, we are focused on turning fundamentals into real-world impact for our students.

CEO Ashley Leftwich recently shared insights on LinkedIn highlighting the powerful connection between math and financial fundamentals. Research from the University of Cambridge, along with a joint study by FINRA and NORC at the University of Chicago titled They Just Add Up, reinforces that stronger outcomes are achieved when both skill sets are developed together.

Throughout the month, RTSWS students are building financial & investment knowledge through classroom programming, while expanding access through the Career Center, Coffee Chats, and Insight Days. These experiences connect students directly with industry professionals, helping them move from understanding concepts to applying them with confidence. Big shout-out to our dedicated volunteers.

In response to strong student demand, new episodes of the Rocking Finance podcast have also been released, continuing to bring real-world perspectives directly to our community.

RTSWS Attends Ivy+ Just in Time Virtual Career Fair 

Recently, RTSWS participated in the Ivy+ Just in Time Virtual Career Fair, a collaborative virtual event.

The session brought together students from institutions including Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, MIT, Penn, Princeton, Stanford, University of Chicago and Yale, alongside employers across finance, consulting, technology and more. The “just in time” format focused on immediate hiring needs, creating direct and efficient connections between candidates and recruiters.

Interested in events like this? Join the RTSWS Career Center to access upcoming opportunities, connect with employers and take the next steps from classroom to career.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RTSWS Woman of the Year Luncheon: Sponsor a Student

We are proud to welcome students from multiple Boston schools to our Annual RTSWS Luncheon. RTSWS will honor Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, as the 2026 Woman of the Year and Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA, Managing Director of Hedge Funds and Fixed Income at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation as the 2026 Supporter of the Year. 

If you are joining in person or supporting from afar, we invite you to help us celebrate these leaders and sponsor a student. For sponsorships and tickets, contact Jo Mullenix, COO.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

Advisory Trading Analyst

(Full Time Role)

Stifel

St. Louis, MO

AB Explore High School Internship Program

(High School Students - current seniors )

AllianceBernstein

Nashville, TN

Analyst - Project Finance Portfolio Management

(Full Time Role)

ING

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

Connect, Collaborate, & Cultivate

Network with Female Finance Professionals.

Join Our LinkedIn Financial Networking Hub

Financial Literacy Month in Action Across RTSWS

Apr 2, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

Financial Literacy Month in Action

As we step into Financial Literacy Month, the energy across Rock The Street, Wall Street is building, with more than 15 events over the past month.

From Newport Beach to Nashville, Chicago to Charlotte, Toronto to London, students are connecting directly with industry professionals, gaining real insight into career paths and applying Financial & Investment fundamentals in real time. These moments provide access, build confidence, spark questions and help students consider decisions with clarity.

At RTSWS, we bring the M in STEM to life, through classrooms, coffee chats, Insight Days and leadership panels. Students are stepping forward with purpose. This momentum is powered by a remarkable community. Our volunteers share their stories and help bridge the path from classrooms to careers.

Together, we are expanding access, accelerating opportunity, and strengthening the future of the capital markets.

RTSWS Board Member Joins IWD Panel in San Francisco

RTSWS Board Member Gretchen Flicker, CFA joined an industry panel hosted by CFA Society San Francisco, Women in ETFs and Capital Group for the event Give to Gain: Advancing Women, Opening Doors. Gretchen joined fellow panelists Hui-Chien Chang, CFA; Roz Hongsaranagon and Cinthia Murphy. The discussion focused on how industry leaders can open doors for the next generation through guidance, service and nonprofit leadership, reinforcing the evening's theme that investing in others helps create opportunities across the industry.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RTSWS Woman of the Year Luncheon

RTSWS will honor Kristie Feinberg, President & CEO of Manulife John Hancock Investments, as the 2026 Woman of the Year, recognizing her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to expanding opportunities in finance.

RTSWS will also recognize Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA, as the 2026 Supporter of the Year. Managing Director of Hedge Funds and Fixed Income at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, he helped create the RTSWS Career Center, connecting students and alumni to internships and career pathways.

Help us celebrate these two leaders. For sponsorships and tickets, contact Jo Mullenix, COO.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

2026 Summer Excellence Internship

(High School - Juniors & Seniors in NYC)

BlackRock

New York, NY

2026 Global Leveraged Finance Summer Analyst (Houston)

(University Students - Expected graduation date of
December 2026 - June 2027)

CIBC

Houston, TX

2026 Step In, Step Up: Foundations In Finance

(Sixth Form - Year 13 Students)

Morgan Stanley

London, UK

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 IWD Highlights + 2026 Woman of the Year Announcement

Mar 19, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

RTSWS Celebrates International Women’s Day Across Its Footprint

As RTSWS celebrates International Women’s Day across our footprint, we spotlight an Insight Session at Morgan Stanley’s New York headquarters. The program featured a trading floor tour, career panel, speed networking and keynote reflections connecting students directly with industry professionals.

Penny Novick, Managing Director and Co-Head of Prime Brokerage and a RTSWS Board Member, opened the session by encouraging students to be bold, ambitious and collaborative while recognizing their perseverance and commitment.

The program closed with remarks from Sam Lalanne, who reflected on the importance of colleagues, community, and clients. As a first-generation American and the first in his family to attend a four-year college, he shared how an economics class first opened his eyes to a career on Wall Street.

RTSWS extends thanks to the volunteers and leaders who made the day possible, including co-chairs Lara Porter, Emma Keegan and Sha'Quanna Brown, whose leadership reflects mentorship and collaboration in action. We are also grateful to our RTSWS team whose dedication and coordination across more than 30 cities continues to make these opportunities possible for our students.

Kristie Feinberg Named 2026 RTSWS
Woman of the Year for Expanding Pathways to Finance

The RTSWS Woman of the Year Luncheon rotates across our footprint and brings together industry leaders, sponsors and supporters. This year in Boston, we celebrate Kristie Feinberg’s leadership and our talented students.

2026 RTSWS Woman of the Year - Kristie Feinberg, CFA
President & CEO, Manulife John Hancock Investments

2026 RTSWS Supporter of the Year - Reginald Sanders, CFA, CAIA
RTSWS Advisory Council Member & Managing Director,
Hedge Funds and Fixed Income at W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Event Details: April 28th

Arrivals & Networking - 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Luncheon & Keynote Program - 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm

Location - Fairmont Copley Plaza 138 St. James St
Boston, MA 02116

2026 Event Chair - Ashley Leftwich
RTSWS CEO

Join us in attendance, click below to secure tickets and for sponsorship options.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

Public Finance Analyst

(Full Time Role)

Stifel

Phoenix, AZ

2026 Investment Bootcamp

(University Students - current First Years and Sophomores)

Highline Capital

New York, NY

Investing Simulator Event

(University Students - must be enrolled in a Canadian university)

CFA Societies Canada

Canada - Virtual

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 Marks IWD Surpassing 10,000 Students Served

Mar 6, 2026 | RTSWS Newsletter

RTSWS Marks IWD Surpassing 10,000 Students Served

This International Women’s Day, we thank you for being part of a major milestone: with your support, we have served more than 10,000 young women across the US, UK and Canada over the years. RTSWS alumni demonstrate a 79% increase in financial literacy and pursue finance-related degrees at five times the national average. Your dedication continues to expand access and opportunity for students.

Students and mentors consistently describe RTSWS as a catalyst for clarity, confidence and opportunity:

“RTSWS made the financial world feel less intimidating. As a girl, trying something new, especially in male-dominated spaces, can be overwhelming. RTSWS created a welcoming place to learn and grow.” - RTSWS Student

“Hearing from accomplished women across many roles gave me real insight into how to navigate my own path into finance.” - RTSWS Student

 "A great example of the program’s impact: a high school student I mentored stayed in touch and is now interviewing for a summer investment internship. It has been remarkable to watch her growth over the past few years, and I was especially excited that she pursued this opportunity.”  
- RTSWS Volunteer Kelly Klapatch

Highlights Throughout Women's History Month

In-Office Insight Days: Students are visiting sponsor offices across the RTSWS footprint for panels, discussions, and trading floor tours that bring finance careers to life.

New Podcast Launch → Rocking Finance: Real stories. Real access. Real paths into finance. From classrooms to capital markets, the pod features our CEO, Student Alumni and team members in candid conversations with industry leaders and volunteers, sharing insights and career successes.

Collaborations: RTSWS is working with organizations, including the National Women’s History Museum, participating with CFA San Francisco and engaging in the Global IWD Community #GiveToGain Campaign.

“When access is intentional, impact compounds. Through RTSWS programs, students are building skills, exploring career opportunities and preparing for the future,” said Ashley Leftwich. “We are grateful to the industry leaders and volunteers who have helped more than 10,000 students recognize what’s possible.”

INDUSTRY CONVERSATIONS

Cynthia Plouché on Building a Purposeful Career

Watch video

Celebrating Women's History Month, Cynthia Plouché, Founder and CEO of The Alzenia Project, joins RTSWS CEO Ashley Leftwich to discuss the power of belonging and leadership with purpose.

Cynthia reflects on her remarkable experiences as part of a cohort of extraordinary Black women who arrive at Harvard University as freshmen at Radcliffe College, forging friendships that shape their lives, leadership and lasting impact. The Alzenia Project grows out of these formative connections. From her Radcliffe years to managing multi-billion-dollar portfolios and serving on corporate boards, she emphasizes that meaningful careers are rarely linear and are built over time through learning, relationships, real-world experience and often the support of strong mentors.

She summarizes her approach succinctly: “Join, learn, lead… you join something, you learn about it, and then you step up and lead it.”

Watch the full conversation for their insights on building a career grounded in purpose and lasting impact.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES

RTSWS Career Center

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

Real Estate Syndications Summer Analyst Program - 2027

(Undergraduate students with a graduation date between November 2027 and August 2028)

Bank of America

Charlotte, NC

Intern, Compliance Model Management

(Graduate Students with a graduation date of graduation date of December 2026 or Spring 2027)

SoFi

San Francisco, CA

AKO Capital Work Experience Programme

(Pre-University Students, Year 12 & Year 13)

AKO Capital

London, UK

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